Introducing a New Program at the 2017 Annual Conference - The Sales Training Program with Robb Best

The Program & Showcase Committee, under the leadership of Richard Campbell (Belmont Hardware) and Ryan Paul (GRAFF), are excited to announce a new sales training program being offered at this year's DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase.  Led by Robb Best (Elkay), the sales training program offers both classroom learning and a roundtable workshop.  Additional details will be forthcoming with the 2017 Conference Prospectus and Registration Form, available to the general membership right around the end of May.  Here are the basic details: 

• Attendance is limited to individuals who have never attended the DPHA conference previously, and is meant to be a more "sales intensive" focus.
• Cost to attend is $245 per person.
• The special $245 rate for a participant in the sales training program is only available to those who have someone else from their company attending the conference on a full conference fee.
• The special $245 rate covers admittance to the conference for the following events:
• Friday - 5 to 7:30 p.m. Reception in the Product Showcase
• Saturday -
8:00 to 9 a.m. - Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
8:00 to 11:45 a.m. - Product Showcase
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Awards Luncheon (Product Showcase not open for booth tear-down until 1:30 p.m.)
1:45 to 5:15 p.m. - Sales Intensive Training Program
7 to 10:30 p.m. - Closing Banquet 

If you have any questions about the 2017 Annual Conference and Product Showcase or the new sales training program, please contact Jim Babbitt at 224-999-0434 or via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net. 

Contribute to the Council of Fellows' Scholarship Fund with AmazonSmile

The DPHA Council of Fellows established its Memorial Scholarship in 2008 with two primary goals. The first was to honor the memory of an industry leader and the second was to provide grants to the children and grandchildren of any employee working at a DPHA dealer, manufacturer, representative agency or professional organization.

We have made it simpler for you to donate to this worthy charity while at the same time costing you absolutely nothing.  If you are already an Amazon.com member, you can make contributions simply by purchasing products and services through the AmazonSmile website (click here or on the image above for the DPHA AmazonSmile link). Some often asked FAQ's about this website are:

• What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the DPHA Council of Fellows' Scholarship Fund every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the DPHA Council of Fellows' Scholarhship Fund (or any other charitable organization you choose).
• How do I shop at AmazonSmile? To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to AmazonSmile to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. 
• Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations? Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible. 
• Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile? Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.
• How do I select the DPHA Council of Fellows' Scholarship Fund to support when shopping on AmazonSmile? By either clicking on the link above, or on your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select DPHA Council of Fellows' Scholarship Fund to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. AmazonSmile will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation.
• How much of my purchase does Amazon donate? The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. From time to time, AmazonSmile may offer special, limited time promotions that increase the donation amount on one or more products or services or provide for additional donations to Fidelco. Special terms and restrictions may apply. Please see the relevant promotion for complete details. 
• Can I receive a tax deduction for amounts donated from my purchases on AmazonSmile? Donations are made by the AmazonSmile Foundation and are not tax deductible by you. 
• How can I learn more about AmazonSmile? Please see complete  AmazonSmile program details.

The percentage total of 0.5 may not seem like a lot, but since AmazonSmile's beginning near the end of 2013, they have sent over $46,000,000 to registered charities.  So please, if you are already an Amazon.com member, please use AmazonSmile instead, make the DPHA Council of Fellows' Scholarship Fund your charity of choice, and help send children and grandchildren of fellow association members to college!

If You Are Going to the HD Expo in Las Vegas, Make Sure Your Tour Includes DPHA Members

If you are going to next week's HD Expo, May 3-5, 2017 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, please make sure that your tour includes the following DPHA members:

• AMBA Products - #4477
• American Standard - #4610
• Delta Faucet Company - #4913
• Duravit USA - #5369
• Fairmont Designs - #4620
• Grohe - #4610
• Hansgrohe - #4909
• Infinity Drain - #5469
• Neo Metro - #1706
• QuickDrain USA - #5069
• ROHL - #3165
• TOTO - #4811
• Victoria + Albert Baths - #1421

AmazonSmile

Past DPHA Award Winners

2016 DPHA Award Winners
Showroom Professional of the Year: Kymberly Weiner - Best Plumbing Tile & Stone  
Manufacturing Professional of the Year: Cary Hergenrother - LIXIL Brands Representative Professional of the Year: John Matlack - Level 5 Sales & Marketing
Showroom of the Year: Pierce Hardware (Dallas, TX)  
Representative Agency of the Year: Associated Sales 
Customer Service Department of the Year: Infinity Drain  
Plumbing Fixture of the Year: Alape 2step Sink  
Plumbing Water Delivery Product of the Year: Axor ShowerSelect SoftCube Thermostatic Trim  
Furniture Product of the Year: The Galley Dresser  
Accessory Product of the Year: MrSteam Linear Steamhead  
Hardware Product of the year: Hamilton Sinkler's DP140Z Triangular Door Pull

Past Award Winners:
Showroom Professional of the Year:
Mindy Sevinor, Salem Plumbing Supply - 2015
Ada Aldana, Designer's Plumbing & Hardware (Miami, FL) - 2014
Jeremy Smith, Central Arizona Supply - 2013
Kaye Powell, Chown Hardware - 2012
Maureen Ashe, General Plumbing Supply - 2011
Gary Erickson, Renaissance Molding & Design - 2010
Tim Murphy - Klaff's - 2009
Melissa Allen, Cobblestone Court - 2008
Marilyn Hermance, Westheimer Plumbing and Hardware - 2007
Faye Norton, Designer Hardware by Faye - 2006
Debbie Miller, Millers Decorative Plumbing and Hardware - 2005
Julie Koch, Elegant Additions - 2004
Charles Goldberg, Union Hardware - 2003

Representative Professional of the Year:
Kim Kilgore, The Rain Company - 2015
Ray Whitehead, Sr., Whitehead & Associates - 2014
Paula Quan, Bobier Sales - 2013
Cynthia Carter, Next Generation Marketing - 2012
Dale Domingo, Associated Sales - 2011
Jerry Williams, WMS Decorative Resource - 2010
Dennis Mezzapesa, TCB Sales - 2009
Tim Vander Wall, InterArchitectural Products - 2008
Bob Marshall ACS Marketing - 2007
Dan Beaudet, Dan Beaudet Company - 2006
Jim Babbitt, Hot2Cold - 2005
Debby Stehr, Stehr Enterprises - 2004
Mary Labowitz, Premier Marketing - 2003
 
Manufacturer Professional of the Year:
Martha Orellana, MrSteam - 2015
Javier Korneluk, Laufen - 2014
Henry Brunelle, BainUltra - 2013
Jeff Noll, Steamist - 2012
Martin Siwy, Thermasol - 2011
Sarah Jenkinson, Barber Wilsons & Co./Black Country Heritage - 2010
Kim Frechette, Ginger/Newport Brass - 2009
Larry Brodey, JACLO Industries - 2008
David Crossley, Duravit, USA - 2007
Jamie Gregg, Colonial Bronze - 2006
Naomi Neilson, Native Trails- 2005
Ken Rohl, ROHL, LLC - 2004
Jeff Valles, Phylrich International - 2003
 
Customer Service Department of the Year:
GRAFF - 2015
California Faucets - 2014
Colonial Bronze - 2013
Sun Valley Bronze - 2012
JCR Distributors - 2011
Stone Forest, Inc. - 2010
Legacy Brass - 2009
JACLO Industries - 2008
ROHL, LLC - 2007
Environmental Water Systems - 2006
BainUltra - 2005
JACLO Industries - 2003
 
DPHA Showroom of the Year:
Clyde Hardware (Phoenix, AZ) - 2015
Monique's Bath Showroom (Watertown, MA) - 2014
Union Hardware - 2013
Allied Kitchen & Bath, Fort Lauderdale - 2012
Banner Plumbing Supply - 2011
Billie Brenner, Ltd. - 2010
Designer's Plumbing Studio AND Morrison Supply (Houston, TX) - 2009
Klaff's AND Sante Fe by Design - 2008
Chicago Brass AND Miller's Fine Decorative Hardware (Jupiter, FL) - 2007
Community Home Supply AND Sonoma Kitchen & Bath - 2006
Designer Hardware by Faye AND Euro Bath + Tile - 2005
Waterware (Chicago, IL) AND Renaissance Design Studio - 2004
The Bath & Beyond, San Francisco, CA - 2003
 
Rep Agency of the Year:
Next Generation Marketing - 2015
WMS Decorative Resource - 2014
TCB Sales - 2013
Decorative Sales Associates - 2012
DeLux - 2011
Gotham Sales Group - 2010
The Doliner Group AND Pinnacle Sales Group - 2009
Amorello Sales AND Western Sales Company - 2008  
Magruder Associates AND Silvertip Marketing - 2007
Cool Lines AND Hot2Cold - 2006
Luxury Marketing AND WMS Decorative Resource - 2005
 
Product of the Year Award Winners:
The Wave Tub by WETSTYLE - 2015
The Palomar Art Deco Tub Filler by California Faucets - 2015
Dressage Vanity by GRAFF - 2015
The Heated Sink Stand by Sterlingham - 2015
The Argyle Round Knob by Duverre - 2015
Kartell by Laufen Faucet - 2014
Ledge Prep Sink by Lenova - 2014
Joseph Ruefelli Precisely Beautiful Cabinet Knob by Colonial Bronze - 2014
The Sophia Vanity in Lacquered Renaissance Mahogany by the Furniture Guild - 2014
iSteam 2.0 Swipe-Touch Control Panel by Mr. Steam - 2014
Metrio Modular Lav Sink by Stone Forest - 2013
ONO Light Touch by KWC - 2013
Toledo 30-inch Vanity by Fairmont Designs - 2013
StyleDrain Tile by California Faucets - 2013
Barn Door Track by Sun Valley Bronze - 2013
OpenSpace by Duravit - 2012
Ametis Shower System by Graff - 2012
Halcyon by Native Trails - 2012
Solitude Mobile Application by Thermasol - 2012
ARROYO Pull by DuVerre Hardware - 2012
Complete Shower System CURA #960 by Aquabrass - 2011
Black Embossed Bathtub by Blu Bathworks - 2011
Bourdeaux Wall Mount Vanity by Native Trails - 2011
Cinu Toilet Tissue Holder with Glass Shelf by Ginger - 2011
Offset C-OF01 Knob by DuVerre Hardware - 2011
Blanco Ronis by BLANCO - 2010
MANHATTAN Bath Vanity by Xylem - 2010
Blanco Solon Compost System by BLANCO - 2010
Purfectkurv by MAXX Bath Inc. - 2010
Convertible Latches by Berenson R. Christensen - 2010
Integrated Faucet Filtration by ROHL LLC - 2009
Starck K by Duravit USA - 2009
Eterne Bathtub by MAXX Bath Inc. - 2009
M Collection by WETSTYLE - 2009
Standy by ITALBRASS Group - 2009
BCJ Lever 1 by Reveal Designs - 2009
Tanners Craft by Colonial Bronze - 2009
Dream Light Rain Canopy by JACLO Industries - 2008
SYNC by Stone Forest - 2008
Cold Storage M-Series Cabinet by Robern - 2008
Julien's Bench Toilet - 2007
Beyerle's exposed stainless steel sliding door system - 2007
KWC - Waterstation - 2006
Water Decor's Bridge Faucet - 2005
KWC - Murano - 2004
BainUltra's Temazkal - 2003

Best Manufacturer Website:
THG USA, www.thgusa.com - 2004
Dornbracht, www.dornbracht.com - 2003

Best Representative Website:
Luxury Marketing, www.luxurymarketing.com - 2004
Luxury Marketing, www.luxurymarketing.com - 2003

2017 Product Showcase Registration Just Started - Here's the Timetable for Booth Selection

DPHA has been receiving numerous inquiries regarding booth registration for the 2017 Product Showcase at our annual conference in Chandler, AZ from October 12-14, so we just wanted to reassure everyone that you haven't really missed anything yet.  In fact, we have finalized the Floor Plan and have begun the booth registration process, which is as follows:

• Gold sponsors (notified on April 14)
• Silver sponsors (notified on April 21)
• Bronze sponsors (individual notices will be sent on April 27)
• 2017 Conference sponsors (individual notices will be sent on May 3)
• 2016 Exhibitors (individual notices will be sent on May 8)
• General membership (email blast on May 12)

Please note: On the dates above, notices will be sent electronically around noon EDT (9 a.m. PDT).

Additionally, when booth registration is open to the general membership, it will be announced in the May 12th issue of Connections as well as in the aforementioned email blast. Keep your eyes open for more updates and the booth registration announcements.  We only have 72 booth spaces (10' by 10'), and if things go like they did in 2016, the booths will be completely booked within a week or so after registration is open to everyone.

If you have any other questions or need help with something else, don't hesitate to contact Jim Babbitt at jbabbitt@dpha.net or via phone at 224-999-0434.  And for those who are inquiring about our regular conference attendee registration, we will be sending out those notices sometime around the end of May 2017.

If You Are Going to the MCEE Tradeshow in Montreal, Make Sure Your Tour Includes DPHA Members

If you are going to the MCEE Tradeshow next week, April 26 and 27, 2017 at Place Bonaventure in Montreal, Quebec, please make sure that your tour includes the following DPHA members:

• American Standard Brands - #627
• Delta Faucet - #436
• Franke #520
• Pentair - #243
• TOTO - #201
• Valley Acrylic - #200

DPHA's April 2017 Showroom Spotlight is on Derek Hankins and Simon's Hardware & Bath, by Phil Hotarek (an Education Committee Member)

As the oldest hardware store in New York City, Simon's Hardware & Bath is the poster child for small businesses that adapt to times and change.  Continuing to evolve after over 100 years in business, we all can be inspired by the fact that their secret to staying in business for so long is staying true to the heart of success in this industry.  Simon's began as a hardware store and evolved with the addition of kitchen and bath products and then two more locations due to their stellar reputation amongst designers and architects.  The core values and tradition of small business - offering exceptional customer service, knowledge and support - will always retain its value in the decorative plumbing industry.  Simon's Hardware has certainly captured the essence of its market.

 

Recently, I had a chance to talk a bit with Derek Hankins, a lock sales specialist at Simon's location at 3rd Avenue in New York City, and Sam Dinacola, the Marketing Manager:

 

Phil: Derek, tell me a bit about yourself.

Derek: I graduated from Gettysburg College with a BS in Economics, and have been in the industry for 2 years.

 

Phil: What is the biggest surprise to you about our industry?

Derek: Every day is different.

 

Phil: What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of our industry?

Derek: Staying on top of sales volume.

 

Phil: If there is one thing you can sell, it's...

Derek: Architectural and decorative locks.

 

Phil: Have you registered for the Recognition Program yet, and if so, have you completed any category tests?

Derek: Yes and yes.

 

Phil: Have you benefited from participating in the Recognition Program?

Derek: Yes.

 

Phil: One thing my coworkers don't know about me is...

Derek: I am a personal trainer.

 

Phil: When your friends ask, "You sell toilets?" you say...

Derek: I don't, I sell hardware.

 

Phil: Sam, what makes Simon's Hardware & Bath unique?

Sam: Our staff's experience level is really what separates us.  Many of our sales specialists have over 20 years of experience, which really helps with product knowledge, education and keeping up with industry trends.  Our clientele consists mainly of trade professionals and retail consumers.  We offer quality and personalized service to our trade professionals as well as having the ability to educate retail consumers who may not have as much experience.

 

Phil: What can we do as an industry to move forward?

Sam: Raising awareness of the value of having a professional help visualize the design process.  Possibly even creating a virtual reality experience for the customer to make the process more enjoyable and realistic.  Using technology to enhance the customer experience.

 

Phil: What do we need to do as an industry to raise awareness of the value that showrooms provide?

Sam: Focusing on adding value through a consistent brand message.  One of our goals in 2017 is to increase content marketing through social media and blogging, to not only offer our high quality products but also how-to's, design trend reviews, and customer project highlights.  Continue to find new ways to deliver your showroom's value to the customer by not only offering fantastic products through a great experience, but by helping them build their own knowledge and expertise, those add-ons will help differentiate showrooms from both online and offline competition.

 

Phil: Derek, how about a few fun personal questions to conclude things. What's your favorite vacation spot?

Derek: Fishers Island, NY

 

Phil: One day I'll...

Derek: Run my own business.

 

Phil: Your favorite food?

Derek: Salmon

 

Phil: What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

Derek: Fishing and hunting.

 

Phil: The first thing I'd do if I were King/Queen, is...

Derek: Turn Monday into a second Saturday.

 

If You Are Going to the HD Expo in Las Vegas, Make Sure Your Tour Includes DPHA Members

If you are going to the HD Expo, May 3-5, 2017 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, please make sure that your tour includes the following DPHA members:

• AMBA Products - #4477
• American Standard Brands - #4610
• Delta Faucet Company - #4913
• Duravit USA - #5369
• Fairmont Designs - #4620
• Grohe - #4610
• Hansgrohe - #4909
• Infinity Drain - #5469
• Neo Metro - #1706
• QuickDrain USA - #5069
• ROHL - #3165
• TOTO - #4811
• Victoria + Albert Baths - #1421

Here's Your April Reminder About DPHA's New 17-in-17 Recognition Program

We want to remind DPHA members of the announcement we made in March - DPHA is proud to introduce the 17-on-17 Program, which is designed to recognize up-and-coming influencers in the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware business. This program will focus on profiling 17 individuals with 10 or less years of experience among all our membership base of dealers, manufacturers and independent sales agents. Each month from May thru October 2017, two or three members will be inducted into the 17-in-17 club, and their stories will be featured in DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections. To submit your nominations, click here to download the nomination form, complete it and send your nomination to Jim Babbitt via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net or fax at 866-623-6180.  It takes only a few minutes to complete a nomination form, but isn't that time well spent for recognizing someone who is making an impact on your business and/or our industry?