Gov Ridge; Water Conservation Panel Discussion Highlight the PMI 2005 FALL MEETING
For Immediate Release
October 24, 2005
Contact: Barbara C. Higgens, Executive Director (847) 884-9764
Schaumburg, IL — The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute returned to the Capital Hilton October 16-19, 2005 to enjoy D.C.’s charm and an issue-filled PMI conference agenda. With a record 114 registrants, satisfaction survey results indicated that PMI members characterized this meeting as "one of the best ever" in PMI’s 30-year history. The theme for this meeting, "Securing the Future," confirmed PMI’s role as the "Early Warning Defense System" for the industry. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, PMI secured for Tuesday’s dinner a special keynote speaker, Governor Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security, who spoke about "The Business Impact of Homeland Security and the Emergence of China." An entertaining and dynamic presenter, Gov. Ridge included a number of personal and timely anecdotes in his presentation.
The PMI membership elected a new slate of officers for 2006 as follows: PMI President Claude Theisen, T and S Brass and Bronze Company; 1st Vice President Ken Martin, Delta Faucet ; PMI 1st Vice President Rod Ward, Speakman Company; Treasurer Bill Axline, Fluidmaster; Immediate Past President, John Lauer, Sloan Valve Company. Directors at Large: Walt Strader, Price Pfister; Ray Fisher, Fisher Manufacturing; William Ball, WCM and returning directors Pete DeMarco, American Standard; Tom White, Haws Company; and Herb Barnhart, Tempress. (Details follow in separate news release).
Among the highlights of the conference was the PMI-hosted Water Conservation Summit panel discussion featuring prominent water conservation authorities from the EPA, environmentalist groups and more. The session was moderated by Pete DeMarco of American Standard, Shabbir Rawalpindiwala of Kohler Company and John Watson of Sloan Valve Company. Panelists included: Mary Ann Dickinson, of the California Urban Water Conservation Council; Richard Harris of East Bay Municipal Utility District; David Broustis of Seattle Public Utilities; Jim Hanlon, of EPA; Stephanie Tanner of EPA for LEED; and Vicki Wardon of The Green Building Initiative. Invited guests included: Ed Osann, Potomac Resources Inc.; John Koeller, Koeller and Company; John Flowers, EPA; Christine Reimer, National Ground Water Association, and Pete Censky, Water Quality Association.
"Plumbing manufacturers are often misunderstood with respect to our positions on such topics as water conservation," commented PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens. "We embrace, not just give lip service to, the tenets of the PMI mission statement that we adopted earlier this year. The goal of this summit was to bring closer together PMI and those groups involved with water conservation initiatives. By working together earlier in the legislative, regulatory, and product development process, we feel the result is better for all concerned — consumers, conservationists, manufacturers. The dialog at the summit indicates that conservation groups share this view. We are delighted with the response and look forward to continuing to strengthen the communications." Given the positive feedback on this summit, Ms. Higgens indicates that the session and format will likely be repeated in the future.
Forty-five PMI members attended the strategic summit, exclusive to PMI members, which took place on Wednesday morning October 19th to determine next steps.
PMI presented its Legislator Of The Year Award to Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) for his support of plumbing manufacturing initiatives in 2005. Accepting on his behalf was Michelle Nellenbach, Senior Professional Staff Member, who addressed the membership during a luncheon meeting.
PMI welcomed back Michael Colopy of International Commerce Consultants for his third presentation on Chinese culture, history and business. Mr. Colopy spoke at the Fair Trade Issue Committee meeting for more than two hours on the impact of the emergence of China and answered questions. Monday’s luncheon featured Tony Luh, Managing Director of DragonVenture, Inc., who discussed the proposed PMI trade mission to China. The E-Business Issues and Opportunities Standing Committee, also met on Monday, and featured two presentations: Digital Asset Management and Radio Frequency Identification. Following on the heels of PMI’s successful Dynamics of Change and Emerging Technologies Forum, Patrick Yanahan, President of USA Strategies, Inc. presented “Move Over UPC, Here Comes RFID, and Matthew Gonnering, Director of Sales and Marketing, Widen Enterprises, who gave a demonstration on managing product images also known as digital assets. Both speakers gave encores of their successful presentations from the August forum.
Monday afternoon included an update from the PMI Lead Team who outlined PMI’s involvement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other groups regarding future initiatives with respect to lead in plumbing products. Bob Weed of the Copper Development Association presented information on the features and availability of alternate alloys.
Other featured speakers at the conference were Ben Grumbles, EPA on water conservation issues, Gary Stanley, U.S. Department of Commerce, on China and fair trade issues, Jeff Patchell, Connection magazine, Bob Weszley of the WorldVision Storehouse and Ike Casey, PHCC, on ISH/North America and trade show consolidation.
In addition to committee meetings addressing universal conformity assessment, fair trade, government affairs, member services, and information technology, the PMI semiannual meetings included product group meetings: faucets, shower/tub-shower fittings, showerhead and hand showers, flushing devices, and fixtures. PMI’s semiannual meetings offer members and invited guests the opportunity to meet with other members, gain legislative and regulatory insight, and take an active role in developing and addressing plumbing issues with other key industry leaders.
PMI has scheduled its Spring 2006 Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico April 9-12, 2006.
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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