The Future Is NOW
Highlights of the PMI 2007 Spring Meeting
For Immediate Release
January 30, 2007
Contact: Barbara C. Higgens, Executive Director (847) 884-9764
Schaumburg, IL – The PMI Spring 2007 Meeting scheduled for April 1-4 at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville,
North Carolina is just around the corner.
The theme "The Future is NOW" will be played out all day Monday, with a variety of speakers addressing
the future of things to come. Through a series of presentations and discussions we will explore the
impact of these changes on the individual as well as on our industry. Topics include: housing needs and
shifts, changes in regulation and legislation, pandemics, product material requirement changes, water
conservation issues, and more. Attendees will look at such issues as the continuing impact of the
ever-present Internet, the prospect of a paperless society and changes to the publishing/print industry
which impact marketing communications efforts. The day will be facilitated by "Futurist," Ed Barlow.
David Cork, an economist and previous PMI speaker will present the keynote address during lunch on
Monday. Mr. Cork is the author of the Pig and the Python -- a look at the impact of Baby Boomers moving
through the economy as they age. His latest book is The Pig Goes To Market.
The Monday night reception will be highlighted by some local entertainment, “The Southern Appalachian
Cloggers and Blue Grass Band†followed by "dinner on your own."
Internet Security was the topic of Larry Clinton’s presentation at the E-Business Issues and
Opportunities Session on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Clinton is COO of the Internet Security Alliance, a
joint venture of Carnegie-Mellon University and the Electronics Industries Association (EIA).
Featured speakers John Doherty and Clark Ellis, Principals of FMI Corporation presented, “Urban
Infill – A New Category for the National Home Builder: Ramifications for Suppliers to the Construction
Market,†during the Member Services Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Following the macro discussion of the future, the various product-,
standing-, and issue,- committees will convene to examine how these impending changes impact their various
disciplines, as well as tend to the action items left open from the PMI Fall Meeting. The new streamlined
format of the PMI committee meetings will continue through Wednesday with a full four hours of meetings,
including discussions on lead, government affairs, and global recycling issues. The meeting concludes at
noon on April 4, 2007.
In place of the traditional Tuesday night keynote address, and as a departure from the future talk,
attendees will take a step back into history for an optional special outing to the historic and luxurious
Biltmore Estate for a tour of the mansion (at the height of the azalea season), a jazz cocktail reception,
and dinner.
While the meeting location, the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, is just a few minutes from downtown
Asheville, the feeling is that you’ve entered a separate world. The inn is filled with history and
spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and it offers many amenities including their highly ranked
golf course, sports complex with tennis, racquet ball, swimming and exercise equipment and a 40,000 square
foot spa.
The PMI golf outing is scheduled for Sunday morning on the legendary Donald Ross course and is rated the
8th best in North Carolina. This is a shot-maker’s course emphasizing accuracy over power in its 6,750
yard, par 70 layout.
The Board meeting will be held Sunday from 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., allowing board members who wish it,
time to golf. A "First Time Attendee and New Members" reception is set to follow the Board meeting and
prior to the general cocktail reception, to give special attention to these individuals.
PMI members, press, and spouses are welcome to attend the Spring Meeting. Non-member manufacturing
companies are welcome to attend the Spring Meeting at the non-member fee (some restrictions may apply).
Registration fees cover the costs of all meeting materials, receptions, and programs. There will be an
additional fee for the special, optional Tuesday evening outing.
Registration Deadline is March 1!
Call PMI for meeting details at (847) 884-9764, or visit the website: www.pmihome.org.
Call the Grove Park Inn direct for hotel room reservations at:
800-438-5800.
PMI Mission Statement
- To Promote the water efficiency, health, safety and quality of plumbing products while maximizing consumer choice and value in a fair and open marketplace.
- To provide a forum for the exchange of information and industry education.
- To represent the members' interests in the regulatory/legislative processes.
- To enhance the plumbing industry's growth and expansion.
The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute is the voluntary, not-for-profit national trade association of
manufacturers of plumbing products serving as the Voice of the Plumbing Industry. Member companies of PMI
produce a substantial quantity of the nation’s plumbing products. For more information on PMI or its
semi-annual meetings, contact the Institute at 1340 Remington Road, Suite A, Schaumburg, Ill., 60173; or
via phone (847) 884-9PMI (9764), facsimile (847) 884-9775, or website www.pmihome.org.
-END-
PMI will hold its 2007 Fall Meeting October 7-10, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA.
NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE PMI LOGO
CAN BE PROVIDED VIA E-MAIL, UPON REQUEST.
Please contact PMI for more information.