After being forced into a virtual event last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, PHCC — National Association will host its annual PHCCCONNECT2021 conference in person later this month in Kansas City, Missouri.

“PHCC members love to interact face-to-face, so it is very important to offer this in-person event this year,” says PHCC — National Association President Hunter Botto, president of Hicksville, New York-based Botto Brothers Plumbing & Heating. “It has been a priority for the association. Our members have expressed a lot of interest in re-connecting in person, as have our industry partners. There is nothing like sharing ideas and solutions, and just catching up with industry news and family updates as you talk with someone face to face. I have attended several PHCC state events recently and can attest to the fact that our members thrive in this kind of in-person environment. The energy, enthusiasm and sense of comradery are contagious.”

PHCC is monitoring CDC, state and local guidelines very closely. Kansas City currently requires masks for indoor public spaces.

It's about building on the past, building up their businesses, building for the future - and of course, building the sense of community that is so strong within PHCC. — HUNTER BOTTO

“Likewise, PHCC is putting measures in place to plan the safest event we can for our attendees, exhibitors and staff,” Botto says. “We are looking forward to re-connecting in person and are taking all precautions possible to ensure a safe environment for the event.

“Fortunately, our members are very flexible and resilient,” he continues. “They embraced new ways of learning and adapting during the pandemic, and they realize there is a lot of value offered by virtual formats, such as the year-long online learning opportunities that PHCC offers. So, while offering CONNECT in person this year is a priority, our association will continue to diversify the types of education and networking events that are offered.”

PHCCCONNECT2021 will feature a theme of: “Stand Together. Work Together. Build Together” — a perfect topic following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was selected to signify that PHCCCONNECT2021 is the perfect place and time to convene as an association and roll up our sleeves with the plumbing, heating and cooling industry’s best … giving contractors their greatest opportunity all year to work on their businesses and prepare them for what’s next,” Botto says about the event theme. “It’s about building on the past, building up their businesses, building for the future — and of course, building the sense of community that is so strong within PHCC. Plus, the theme is ideal for fall 2021. Following an uncertain year full of COVID-19 challenges, including a year without an in-person CONNECT event, this is great timing to gather in person and stand, work and build together.”

Botto notes that PHCC leadership and staff have been meeting regularly throughout the past year to plan this event, as well as keep up-to-date on the ever-changing local, state and federal guidelines that could possibly affect it.

“Our PHCC Education Committee played a key role in developing the timely and relevant educational content for the conference,” he says. “They surveyed members on the topics they wanted covered in the program, reviewed speaker proposals and selected a group of expert speakers who now lead a lineup of more than 20 educational sessions that will be offered at the event.”

Conference crowd pleasers

This year’s event will include two special sessions, including an industry roundtable featuring leaders from Bradford White Corp., Rheem, Kohler and Milwaukee Tool, as well as a session led by HARDI CEO Talbot Gee, who will give attendees a closer look at major market segments and what the market and supply chain will look like moving forward.

“Both of these opportunities are the 2021 editions of two very popular sessions during PHCC’s virtual event last year; we are bringing them back based on the extremely positive feedback we received,” Botto explains.

PHCC Enhanced Service Group QSC (Quality Service Contractors) will also host several service and repair educational sessions and a networking session — open to all attendees — as well as a fun “Mix & Mingle” event in Kansas City for QSC members. QSC represents a welcoming community of like-minded individuals dedicated to the development and maintenance of best practices for service-and-repair professionals.

“QSC looks forward to providing interactive and informational sessions and networking events at PHCCCONNECT2021,” says Dave Chic, QSC and PHCC’s Construction Contractors Alliance (CCA) program director. “Making sure that QSC is contributing to the success of the plumbing, heating and cooling industry is vital; my board, staff and I are dedicated to contributing to this initiative.”

In addition to the educational sessions, PHCC is bringing back its Product & Technology Showcase, as well as its popular Plumbing and HVAC Apprentice Contest.

“This is so much more than a ‘selling’ show — it’s an opportunity for attendees to personally meet one-on-one with a host of industry partners providing cutting-edge technologies and best business strategies,” Botto says of the Product & Technology Showcase. “Honestly, every year our attendees say this is their best opportunity to explore product and service solutions. And, this year many of our vendors are offering special product discounts and giveaways!”

Jason Abajian, water sales manager — North America for Resideo, is looking forward to sharing Resideo’s new hydronic products at the event, and to reintroducing PHCC members to Resideo’s Braukmann potable water valves in person.

“PHCC CONNECT offers us the chance to meet with our trade partners and showcase our innovative solutions — including HVAC, plumbing and security products; home services; and, training opportunities,” he says. “Resideo is dedicated to supporting the professional installers and contractors who ultimately deliver our solutions to homeowners. PHCC’s passion to educate and advocate the frontline of our trade makes them a valued partner in developing our industry together. Working with our partners, together, we can help advance the education, training and career progression of young people and people from underrepresented groups.”

This year’s Apprentice Contest will feature 16 plumbing apprentices and eight HVAC apprentices demonstrating their skills and competing for the top prizes.

“It’s great to be able to put a spotlight on these apprentices,” says Foundation Chairman Kevin Tindall, president of Tindall & Ranson Plumbing in Windsor, New Jersey. “It builds a sense of pride for them to be competing, and it shows those of us who have been around for a long time that there are young people who do want work with their hands and be successful in this industry. These apprentices are the next generation of our industry’s leaders and it is great to have them showing off their skills here at a PHCC event.”

Making the competitions happen requires a small army of volunteers and staff, and manufacturers lending their support as well, Tindall notes.

“I want to thank our sponsors, too,” he says. “If you think about what it takes to run these events — shipping the benches the apprentices work on, buying the materials they use, all the tools, the consumables, plus just getting everyone to the event and feeding them for the competition days — without the sponsors it would be impossible.”

What’s new?

PHCC will also unveil a new session during this year’s event: Finance Boot Camp, sponsored by Bradford White. During two education sessions offered at PHCCCONNECT2021, attendees will get a preview of the boot camp, which will provide vital programs on financial management that every business owner needs.

Additionally, the PHCC — National Auxiliary is continuing the celebration of its 100th anniversary during conference. Finally able to recognize this significant milestone in person, the auxiliary will offer a full slate of events and activities, including a Kansas City bus tour and an improv show.

Botto notes many PHCC industry partners will also provide giveaways throughout the conference, and the contractor association has worked several fun networking events into the agenda — including a scavenger hunt with prizes from A. O. Smith.

“Attendees could win a $500 YETI Tundra 105 cooler, Leupold BX4 Pro Guide binoculars worth more than $700, or a $5,000 prize package to Big Cedar Lodge, a world-class resort tucked into the rugged landscape of the Missouri Ozark mountains,” he says. “And, we encourage everyone to arrive a day early so they can visit Sioux Chief’s 650,000-square-foot headquarters in Kansas City. This American manufacturer of plumbing products is providing attendees with a priceless opportunity to see where the essentials of their business are manufactured and to learn more about how it all comes together.

“There are so many reasons to join us in Kansas City,” Botto continues. “Whether people are reconnecting with old friends or exploring opportunities at PHCCCONNECT2021 for the first time, they’ll enjoy the sights, sounds and vibrant life of Kansas City, Missouri. As mentioned earlier, the city has gone to great lengths to safely welcome visitors to ‘the new Midwest.’ Resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit are in its nature. I think our PHCC attendees will fit right in!”

Wednesday, Oct. 20

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.: PHCCCONNECT Registration | Location: Basie Ballroom Foyer — Marriott

8 a.m. – 11 a.m.: PHCC Educational Foundation Board Meeting | Location: 12th Street — Marriott

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Apprentice Contests Day 1 | Location: Bartle Exhibit Hall A — KCCC 

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: National Auxiliary Registration and Marketing | Location: Basie Ballroom Foyer — Marriott

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Breakout Sessions

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.: National Auxiliary Board of Directors Meeting | Location: Andy Kirk — Marriott

9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Morning Break  | Location: 2100 Lobby — KCCC

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Breakout Sessions

11:15 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Lunch on own

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: National Auxiliary 100th Anniversary Lunch | Location: 2105 — KCCC

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

1:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.: National Auxiliary Business Meeting | Location: 2101 — KCCC

2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Afternoon Break | Location: 2100 Lobby — KCCC

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Past National Officers’ Meeting (By Invitation) | Location: 12th Street — Marriott

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: First Timers Get Together | Location: 2105 — KCCC

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: PHCCCONNECT2021 Opening Reception | Location: Bartle Exhibit Hall A — KCCC

6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: Apprentice Contest Dinner | Location: 2105 — KCCC

7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.: PHCC PAC Fundraising Event | Location: Barney Allis Historic Lobby — Marriott

Thursday, Oct. 21

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.: PHCCCONNECT Registration | Location: Basie Ballroom Foyer — Marriott

8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.: Opening Breakfast | Location: 2100 Lobby — KCCC

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: National Auxiliary Registration and Marketing | Location: Basie Ballroom Foyer — Marriott

8:45 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Keynote: Positive Leaders Drive Positive Results | Location: 2103 — KCCC | Speaker: Jon Gordon

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Apprentice Contests Day 2 | Location: Bartle Exhibit Hall A — KCCC

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Silent Action hosted by the Auxiliary | Location: Bartle Exhibit Hall A — KCCC

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Product and Technology Showcase | Location: Bartle Exhibit Hall A — KCCC

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: AEC Annual Business Meeting | Location: Jay McShann A — Marriott

2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.: Improv Show hosted by the Auxiliary | Location: Julia Lee AB — Marriott

3:15 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Break in Exhibit Hall | Location: Bartle Exhibit Hall A — KCCC

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Clean Space. Clean You. | Location: 2104 B — KCCC | Speaker: Matt Loch – Kohler Co.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Union Affiliated Contractors (UAC) Advisory Committee Meeting | Location: Andy Kirk — Marriott

5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.: PHCC Educational Foundation Donor Reception (By Invitation) | Location: Bar M — Marriott

6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: QSC Service & Repair Contractors Reception | Location: Barney Allis Historic Lobby — Marriott

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Past National Officers’ Dinner (By Invitation) | Location: 12th Street — Marriott

Friday, Oct. 22

7 a.m. – 1 p.m.: PHCCCONNECT Registration | Location: Basie Ballroom Foyer — Marriott

7:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: Workforce Panel Breakfast: Future Leaders: Developing Our Leadership Pipeline | Location: 2105 — KCCC

8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.: PHCC Annual Business Meeting, Voting, and Installation of Officers | Location: 2103 — KCCC

8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Massages hosted by the Auxiliary | Location: Bennie Molten — Marriott

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Keynote Presentation: Moving Forward | Location: 2103 — KCCC | Speaker: Connor Lokar – ITR Economics

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Awards Luncheon | Location: Basie Ballroom — Marriott

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Industry Perspectives: Confronting Change and Uncertainty When Things Go Sideways | Location: 2103 — KCCC

• Moderator: John Mesenbrink — Mechanical Hub Media
• Presenter: R. Bruce Carnevale – Bradford White Corp.
• Presenter: Randy Roberts – Rheem Air Conditioning
• Presenter: Elisabeth Sutton – Kohler Co.
• Presenter: Scott Teson – Milwaukee Tool

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Kansas City Bus Tour hosted by the Auxiliary | Location: Off-site

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.: PHCC Post Convention Board of Directors Meeting | Location: 2104 A — KCCC

5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: PHCC Installation and Closing Event | Location: Basie Ballroom AB — Marriott

9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.: Incoming Presidents’ Reception | Location: Basie Ballroom C — Marriott

Photos courtesy of PHCC