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PMI 2006 Spring Meeting Features Key Note Speaker Howard Putnam

PMI 2006 Spring Meeting Features
Key Note Speaker Howard Putnam

For Immediate Release

February 23, 2006

Contact: Barbara C. Higgens, Executive Director (847) 884-9764

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 9, 2006

Schaumburg, IL — This year’s Spring Meeting theme: "Back To The Future" takes us back to the basics - to the issues and principals that form the basis of PMI and to the roots of our country as seen through the eyes of its first inhabitants: Native Americans. The meeting will focus on important re-emerging issues: lead in plumbing products and water conservation. We will also explore new areas such as the "Changing Face of the Customer" and the use of Rich Media on websites.

The program kicks off Sunday evening with the Welcome Reception and Dinner, and the General Membership Meeting. The session will include a review of the 2005 PMI audit.

On Monday morning during the Water Conservation Issue Committee, Mary Ann Dickinson of the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC) will present updated details of the new organization, Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE). Yvonne Orgill of the Bathroom Manufacturers Institute will address the membership on U.K. initiatives, including water conservation. Following lunch, the Member Services Committee is pleased to welcome back Carl Cullotta of Frank Lynn and Associates, who will make a presentation on "The Changing Face of the Customer."

New this year, occurring Monday evening, is an optional dinner excursion to Santa Fe. The $85.00 fee for this event includes transportation, a wine reception and private tour of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, followed by a dinner at the nearby La Casa Sena restaurant.

Tuesday morning begins with a presentation to the lead team on lead research by Dr. Barbara Beck of Gradient Corp., followed by Joe Cullinane on using Rich Media on the web. Tuesday morning concludes with the Fair Trade Issue Committee meeting featuring Ted Fishman, best-selling author of China Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World. Mr. Fishman will describe the effects of China’s recent emergence as a world power on the lives and businesses of people across the globe.

The Tuesday afternoon session will include a presentation by Katherine Yuhas, Albuquerque Water Conservation Officer and a Reed Publishing Research Report by Jim Crockett, Editor in Chief of Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine.

Tuesday evening’s dinner will feature keynote speaker Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest and Braniff Airlines and Group VP of Marketing for United Airlines, on: Leadership, Customer Service, Change, Trans-formation and Ethics. Mr. Putnam is a business and motivational speaker, author, consultant, commentator, and online mentor. The evening will close with a cultural presentation by a Native American storyteller around the campfire, complete with "S’mores."

A special Technical Strategy Meeting will convene Wednesday, April 12 following the meeting, at the Hyatt Tamaya to fulfill an action item from the 2005 PMI Fall Meeting. The location was selected for the convenience of the many interested members already onsite for the 2006 PMI Spring Meeting. This strategy meeting, closed to non-members and the press, will identify potential changes to the model plumbing codes, review the ANSI U.S. Standards Strategy and identify possible implementation strategies for the plumbing sector, discuss the role of supplementary mandatory criteria developed by product certifiers, and discuss on-going efforts to harmonize U.S. and Canadian product standards.

The PMI golf outing is scheduled on Sunday morning at the nearby Sandia Golf Club. The Club features a 7,772 yard course designed by Scott Miller. Transportation and a box lunch will be provided. The tournament fee is $115 and is not included in the meeting registration fee. Please note: The Club requires collared shirts and prohibits denim clothing and metal spikes. Golf club rentals are available.

Make plans now to attend. The Deadline is March 9!

Call PMI for registration details at (847) 884-9764.
Call The Hyatt Regency Tamaya direct for room reservations at: (505) 867-1234.

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.

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PMI will hold its 2006 Fall Meeting October 8-11, at the Omni Shoreham in Washington D.C.