Happy Birthday, USA!

This is the Independence Day edition of the DPHA Connections. July 4 is the day we celebrate the noble experiment that has lead to the greatest democracy in the history of the world. Let's take our time machine back to Colonial America where a group of educated, successful ideologues decided that they wanted to have a larger say in how they lived, were governed and taxed. Thomas Paine's best selling Common Sense argued that an island could not rule a continent. Many colonial intellectuals believed their right to self-determination was manifest from a higher authority. And given the outcome, perhaps there is more truth to that sentiment than many would like to admit.

"The republican experiment launched so boldly by the revolutionary generation in America encountered entrenched opposition in the two centuries that followed, but it thoroughly vanquished the monarchial dynasties of the nineteenth century and then the totalitarian despotism of the twentieth, just as Jefferson predicted it would," wrote Joseph J. Ellis in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Founding Brothers. In 2017, the United States is the oldest enduring republic in the history of the world, with a set of political institutions and traditions that have stood the test of time.

When we look back on the revolutionary era, it's hard to imagine how our founding brothers believed they could take on the most powerful military force in the world and win. How could they imagine that creating a republican form of government based on the principle of popular sovereignty could succeed when it had never done so previously for any sustainable period of time, or attempt to oversee a landmass as large as the 13 original colonies?

Brilliant, principled men with a dream met in Philadelphia in June and July 1776 to debate breaking ties with their motherland and declaring independence. John Adams, who was very much the COO of the American Revolution, convinced Thomas Jefferson to draft a formal statement that would justify the colonies declaring their independence. And certainly, Jefferson was up to the challenge. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted affirmatively to become independent. Two days later, the Congress formerly adopted Jefferson's Declaration. For the past 240 years, Americans have celebrated this remarkable event. As we barbeque, enjoy the summer weather with family and friends and watch fireworks, let's take a moment to reflect on and marvel at the unfathomable accomplishment that resulted from our founding father's vision. We enjoy the great fortune and opportunity - despite all of our problems - to live in the greatest republic in the history of mankind. Enjoy July 4! 

Remember - The 2017 DPHA Award Nominations Are Underway and Run Through July 15th

Everyone wants to be appreciated and recognized for their contributions, but few of us take the time to say thank you to our exceptional peers for what they do for our companies, our organization and our industry. We want to change this trend by encouraging you to submit applications and nominations to the 2017 DPHA Awards program. The deadline to submit applications and nominations is July 15 for the following honors: 

• DPHA Showroom of the Year - 2016 winner was Pierce Hardware in Dallas, TX
• DPHA Showroom Professional of the Year - 2016 winner was Kymberly Weiner of Best Plumbing Tile & Stone
• DPHA Manufacturing Professional of the Year - 2016 winner was Cary Hergenrother of LIXIL Brands
• DPHA Representative Agency Professional of the Year - 2016 winner was John Matlack of Level 5 Sales & Marketing
• DPHA Rep Agency of the Year - 2016 winner was Associated Sales
• DPHA Manufacturer Customer Service Department of the Year - 2016 Winner was Infinity Drain
• DPHA Products of the Year (POTY) -
• Plumbing Product, Fixtures (sinks, tubs, toilets) - 2016 winner was the Alape 2step Sink
• Plumbing Product, Water Delivery (faucets, showerheads and valves) - 2016 winner was Axor's ShowerSelect SoftCube Thermostatic Trim
• Furniture - 2016 winner was The Galley Dresser
• Hardware - 2016 winner was Hamilton Sinkler's DP140Z Triangular Door Pull
• Accessories - 2016 winner was Mr. Steam's Linear Steamhead

 

Now is your chance to recognize peers for their outstanding contributions to the industry and Association by clicking on www.dpha.net and logging into the members-only side of the web site. There is a link that takes you to an online nomination form that enables you to submit nominations.  There is also a second link that will allow you to download award nominations forms in a pdf-fillable format.  

  

For the Product of the Year awards (POTYs), DPHA has again assembled an independent panel of distinguished industry editors, designers and professionals for judging the five different products of the year. Those judges are:  

1. Mary Jo Peterson, Mary Jo Peterson Design
2. Stacy Shoemaker, Editor Hospitality Design 
3. Eliot Sefrin, Editor Emeritus of KBDN 
4. Lindsay Crozier, Architect at Made LLC 
5. Nicole Wieland, Builder/Designer at Charleston Building & Development

 

Last year the Awards Committee added the Dealer's Choice Award, an award that provides another opportunity for manufacturers and representatives to promote your products as award-worthy in front of the staffs of every DPHA dealer.  The Dealer's Choice Award works as follows:  

• Every product submitted for the 2017 Product of the Year (POTYs) will be eligible to win the Dealer's Choice Award.
• Voting will take place immediately following the annual conference and will be open for approximately six weeks. 
• All dealer showroom staff members who have a DPHA login will be eligible to vote. One vote per person. 
• The winner will be announced during the opening session of the 2018 Conference.

 

Manufacturers - when was the last time you were handed a golden opportunity to have your new products analyzed and critiqued by leading journalists of publications that are read and respected by your clients and prospects? DPHA is providing you this opportunity. Be sure to take advantage of it. 

Do You Want to Help Lead? 2018 Board of Directors' Applications are Now Being Accepted

Would you like to help set the strategic direction for the industry's leading trade association? Would you like to make your industry better? Would you like to expand your network and learn more about your industry? Would you like to give back to your industry and be a meaningful contributor to its future growth? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, then consider submitting your name to serve as a Director on the 2018 DPHA Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will be meeting in the next several weeks and we want to make sure that all Association members are aware of the opportunity to submit their names for Board consideration. If you are interested, send an email to jbabbitt@dpha.net. The deadline for submitting your application is Friday, July 14, 2017.

Don't Forget - You Can Reserve Hotel Rooms for the 2017 DPHA Annual Conference

The DPHA Annual Conference returns to the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix, AZ, October 12-14, 2017.  The reason why DPHA is returning to the Wild Horse Pass Resort is obvious to everyone who attended the 2013 Conference there. The place is fantastic!   

 

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is a beautiful resort, situated adjacent to the Gila River Indian Community and just 12 miles from Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Everything you would want to see or touch in Phoenix can be reached in just 20 minutes by car.

 

Amenities?  You betcha and only the finest.  There are two golf courses, an outdoor pool, and plenty of family activities. The Kai restaurant was voted best in Phoenix for its ability to tantalize the palate with a seasonal menu featuring local and indigenous fare. The Aji Spa is the perfect place to wash away the stresses of the day.  

 

There are 500 rooms and suites with Native American-inspired décor plus private balconies or terraces. Technology includes a flat screen TV and high speed Internet access. 

 

It truly is a great property for a great group of members and room reservations are open now.  Click here to make sure you don't miss out.

Conference Registration - don't worry, you haven't missed it yet.  We are working on the conference prospectus and registration form right now, and will have it ready for everyone in the next week or two.  When it is ready, we will notify everyone with an email blast as well as featuring it as the lead article in that week's issue of Connections.  In the meantime, if you would like to see the basic schedule for the conference, just go www.dpha.net, follow the path "Membership > Conferences" and scroll down the page. Thanks for your patience and we look forward to seeing you in Arizona this October.

The 17-in-17 Program Recognizes Mindy Sevinor from Salem Plumbing Supply

The DPHA 17-on-17 Program recognizes up-and-coming influencers in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program will profile 17 DPHA members with 10 or less years of experience. Each month from June through October 2017, members will be inducted into the 17-in-17 club, and their stories will be featured in DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections.  This week we recognize Mindy Sevinor of Salem Plumbing Supply/Designer Bath in Salem, MA.

Mindy is living proof that nice people finish first. You may not meet a nicer or more humble professional in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry. Don't let Mindy's naturally friendly nature and glass half-full perspective take away from the fact though that she is a savvy, seasoned professional who is at the top of the DPH game. That is why DPHA is recognizing Mindy as a member of the 17-in-17 program.

In every way, it seems Mindy and her showroom, Designer Bath in Beverly, MA, have excelled. Mindy works alongside her brother Jason and dad Ralph Sevinor. The showroom has been honored with numerous Best-in-Boston and other awards, reflecting Mindy's understanding of market needs and her ability to create compelling customer experiences. She uses a combination of vignettes, faucet walls and live displays to showcase lines. There are 18 working faucets, multiple showerheads and a functional steam unit that offer Designer Bath customers multi-sensory experiences.

Mindy gives back to the industry through numerous channels. She is one of the rising young leaders in our industry and willingly shares her experience and expertise with peers. Mindy and Kymberly Weiner (Best Plumbing Tile & Stone) led a workshop on how to use tablets in showrooms at the 2014 DPHA Annual Conference and Mindy served as a panelist for a workshop presented at the 2013 Annual Conference.

Mindy is a loyal attendee of DPHA conferences and regional meetings and other industry events. She generously volunteers her time to help others. She was honored by Supply House Times 20 Young Execs in 2013 and was honored by the Forte Buying Group with a distinguished service award in 2014. And currently, Mindy serves on Forte's Board of Directors.  Mindy also gives back to those who are less fortunate - she has worked at an orphanaqe in Equador, helped build schools in Guatemala and helped build houses in Bolivia.

For all of these reasons and many more, our congratulations and thanks go out to Mindy!

If you would like to nominate someone for inclusion in the 17-in-17 program, click here to download the nomination form, complete it and send your nomination to Jim Babbitt via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net or fax to 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?

Let DPHA Help Pay for Your Child's or Grandchild's College Education

We know that with so much going on in everyone's lives right now that many people forget our association has a way to help the children or grandchildren of a DPHA member with the cost of college.  Before the summer gets into full swing and your attention may be diverted, remember DPHA's Council of Fellows is currently accepting applications for its 2017 Scholarship Fund. Applications must be received by July 31st, 2017.

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.

Download the application.

Application Requirements:

• Applicant must be the child or grandchild of a DPHA member employee.
• Applicant must be a high school graduate currently enrolled in a college or university.
• Applications must be accompanied by a high school transcript, and if in college, a college transcript.
• Applicant must submit a double-spaced typed essay addressing the topic, "Why I Should Be Considered for the DPHA Memorial Scholarship." This essay should not exceed 1,200 words.
• To be considered for the award during a given year, applications must be received at the DPHA office by the close of business July 31, 2017.

Selection Criteria: 

• Applicant must fulfill all application requirements and complete the DPHA Memorial Scholarship Application Form.
• Essays will be judged on content, writing skills and adherence to accepted grammatical standards.
• Applicants must be well-rounded students, involved in extracurricular and civic activities and sports.
• The DPHA Council of Fellows reserves the right to interview Scholarship finalists prior to selecting a recipient.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Jim Babbitt via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net or phone at 224-999-0434 (if you get his voice mail, please leave a message).  Having sent his own four children to college, Jim certainly can "feel your pain".

The 17-in-17 Program Recognizes Matt Churchill from Water Street Brass

The DPHA 17-on-17 Program recognizes up-and-coming influencers in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program will profile 17 DPHA members with 10 or less years of experience. Each month from June through October 2017, members will be inducted into the 17-in-17 club, and their stories will be featured in DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections.  This week we recognize Matt Churchill, the founder and president of Water Street Brass.

 In 2012, Water Street Brass (formerly known as Jamestown Furniture Hardware), comprised six employees, but since that time and under Matt's leadership, the company has grown to more than 35 employees. Matt has truly embraced the decorative hardware industry and has a natural ability to understand the needs of his customers whether it be designs, finishes or customer service. He is constantly looking for new ways to drive Water Street's product, designs and custom capabilities to the next level.

Involved in the DPH industry since 2008, Matt was surprised on how small this industry actually is and how close the people are within the industry. He is thankful for the many relationships he's formed in the business and which drive Matt to continually strive to do better and push him harder each and every day.

Matt feels that his biggest personal challenge in the industry right now is keeping up on displays. With a growing product line, it is hard to keep Water Street Brass' retail partners up to date with their latest and greatest offerings.

What does Matt enjoy about being in the industry? The people. The people are fun, which in turn makes his job fun. As Matt told us, "there are so many interesting individuals in the industry". Congratulations, Matt!

If you would like to nominate someone for inclusion in the 17-in-17 program, click here  to download the nomination form, complete it and send your nomination to Jim Babbitt via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net or fax to 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?

Make a Splash in Chandler, AZ with a Conference Sponsorship

DPHA offers a menu of conference sponsorship opportunities available to showrooms, manufacturers and representatives. Each level of sponsorship provides different marketing benefits. However, the most significant benefit that you receive when electing to serve as a DPHA corporate sponsor is the statement you make to the industry. Your sponsorship tells the industry that you believe in DPHA's mission and programs. You are not only talking the talk, you are walking the walk to enhance professionalism and improve quality in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry.

2017 CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SATURDAY NIGHT BANQUET SPONSOR ($4,250)

• Recognition as banquet sponsor at the banquet
• Recognition as banquet sponsor in the conference Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the banquet 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the banquet 
• Free quarter-page ad in the Conference Newsleak

FRIDAY NIGHT RECEPTION SPONSOR ($3,500)

• Recognition as reception sponsor at the reception
• Recognition as reception sponsor in the conference Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the reception 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the reception

SATURDAY AWARDS LUNCH SPONSOR (2 sponsorships available at $1,750 each or one sponsorship at $3,000)

• Recognition as luncheon sponsor at the luncheon
• Exclusive opportunity to show products on PowerPoint played during the lunch 
• Recognition as luncheon sponsor in the conference Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the lunch 
• Ability to show PowerPoint prior to lunch

KEY CARD SPONSOR ($3,000)

• Company's name and logo will appear on the room keycards that are given to members when they check into the hotel
• Recognition as the key card sponsor in the meeting Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the conference 
• Signage at the exhibitor's booth in the Product Showcase 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference sign-ups along with the other conference sponsors

FRIDAY LUNCH SPONSOR ($2,750)

• Recognition as luncheon sponsor at the luncheon
• Exclusive opportunity to show products on PowerPoint played during the lunch 
• Recognition as luncheon sponsor in the conference Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the lunch 
• Ability to show PowerPoint prior to lunch

WINE SPONSOR ($2,500)

• Company's name and logo will appear on the room keycards that are given to members when they check into the hotel
• Recognition as the wine sponsor in the meeting Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the bar 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference sign-ups along with the other conference sponsors

GOLF OUTING SPONSOR ($2,500)

• Recognition as golf outing sponsor at the bar following the Wednesday outing
• Recognition as golf outing sponsor in the meeting Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the event 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference sign-ups along with the other conference sponsors

LANYARD SPONSOR ($2,250) (taken in 2017 by LPG Buying Group)

• Your company logo/name placed on the name badge lanyard given to attendees
• Recognition as lanyard in the conference Newsleak
• Premier signage at the conference 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference sign-ups along with the other conference sponsors

COFFEE BAR SPONSOR, FRIDAY ($1,500)

• Sponsorship is for all coffee set-ups on Friday during the Product Showcase
• Recognition as the Friday coffee bar sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the coffee service on Friday 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference sign-ups along with the other conference sponsors

COFFEE BAR SPONSOR, SATURDAY ($1,500)

• Sponsorship is for a fancier coffee set-up on Saturday morning during the Product Showcase
• Recognition as Saturday coffee bar sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the event 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference sign-ups along with the other conference sponsors

SMOOTHIE BAR SPONSOR ($1,250)

• Sponsorship is for a Smoothie Bar set-up on Friday afternoon during the Product Showcase
• Recognition as Friday Smoothie Bar sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the event 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference sign-ups along with the other conference sponsors

BREAKFAST SPONSOR ($1,100)

• Recognition as breakfast sponsor at breakfast
• Exclusive opportunity to show products on PowerPoint played during the breakfast 
• Recognition as banquet sponsor in the conference Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the breakfast 
• Ability to show PowerPoint during breakfast

BAR SPONSOR ($1,100) (2 of 3 taken for Friday night; all 3 available for Saturday night)

• Recognition as a bar sponsor at banquet
• Recognition as a bar sponsor in the conference Newsleak 
• Premier signage at the bar

If you are interested in taking a Conference Sponsorship, email Jim Babbitt
at jbabbitt@dpha.net or click here  to download a copy of the DPHA 2017 Sponsorship & Advertising Registration Form.

So, You Think You Know It All?

During the past year or so, hundreds of people have taken the DPHA Recognition Program sample test, and yet no one has come close to getting all the answers correct on their first try (or second or third, for that matter). Many of our readers are under the impression that the DPHA Education Manuals are for people just starting out in our industry. Although that is certainly the target audience for many of our manuals, newcomers are not the only audience or the only demographic that can benefit from the content, sales tips and technical guidance offered in DPHA Education Manuals.

The manuals help showroom sales professionals become better. Taking a second or even third look through the material helps jog memories that make you a better and more trusted advisor to your clients.

The DPHA Education Manuals are also the source for the DPHA Recognition Program, which recognizes DPH showroom professionals for their product knowledge and sales expertise. The program is available only to DPHA members. Each Recognition Program exam is based on information contained in the DPHA Education Program Manuals, and each exam relates to an individual product category (e.g. lavatory faucets, tubs, cabinet hardware, etc.). To be recognized in each category, participants must answer 100% of the questions correctly. DPHA issues certificates to those participants who successfully pass all of the plumbing, hardware and general knowledge programs electronically. For more information on the DPHA Recognition Program, visit the member's side of www.dpha.net.

So how about trying something during a few of those "kick back" moments during the summer?As we said before, several people (both members and non-members alike) have tried taking our Recognition Program sample test over the past several months, and no one has come even close to passing the test, which includes one question from 21 of our current 22 Recognition Program tests. Needless to say, the results have been entertaining, fun and informative. So go ahead, click here and see how you do.

As long as you enter your email address correctly, you should get an email almost immediately letting you know your results, and you may take the testas often as you like. The results will be known only to yourself and Jim Babbitt, and he knows how to keep a secret. On the other hand, if someone successfully completes the sample test on their first attempt, Jim will be sure to announce that fact in an upcoming issue of Connections. So sit back, grab another cup of coffee and see how you do. Or do you really think you know it all?

The 2017 DPHA Award Nominations Are Underway and Run Through July 15th

Everyone wants to be appreciated and recognized for their contributions, but few of us take the time to say thank you to our exceptional peers for what they do for our companies, our organization and our industry. We want to change this trend by encouraging you to submit applications and nominations to the 2017 DPHA Awards program. The deadline to submit applications and nominations is July 15 for the following honors:

• DPHA Showroom of the Year - 2016 winner was Pierce Hardware in Dallas, TX
• DPHA Showroom Professional of the Year - 2016 winner was Kymberly Weiner of Best Plumbing Tile & Stone
• DPHA Manufacturing Professional of the Year - 2016 winner was Cary Hergenrother of LIXIL Brands
• DPHA Representative Agency Professional of the Year - 2016 winner was John Matlack of Level 5 Sales & Marketing
• DPHA Rep Agency of the Year - 2016 winner was Associated Sales
• DPHA Manufacturer Customer Service Department of the Year - 2016 Winner was Infinity Drain
• DPHA Products of the Year (POTY) -
• Plumbing Product, Fixtures (sinks, tubs, toilets) - 2016 winner was the Alape 2step Sink
• Plumbing Product, Water Delivery (faucets, showerheads and valves) - 2016 winner was Axor's ShowerSelect SoftCube Thermostatic Trim
• Furniture - 2016 winner was The Galley Dresser
• Hardware - 2016 winner was Hamilton Sinkler's DP140Z Triangular Door Pull
• Accessories - 2016 winner was Mr. Steam's Linear Steamhead

Now is your chance to recognize peers for their outstanding contributions to the industry and Association by clicking on www.dpha.net and logging into the members-only side of the web site. There is a link that takes you to an online nomination form that enables you to submit nominations.  There is also a second link that will allow you to download award nominations forms in a pdf-fillable format.  

  

For the Product of the Year awards (POTYs), DPHA has again assembled an independent panel of distinguished industry editors, designers and professionals for judging the five different products of the year. Those judges are: 

1. Mary Jo Peterson, Mary Jo Peterson Design
2. Stacy Shoemaker, Editor Hospitality Design 
3. Eliot Sefrin, Editor Emeritus of KBDN 
4. Lindsay Crozier, Architect at Made LLC 
5. Nicole Wieland, Builder/Designer at Charleston Building & Development

 
Last year the Awards Committee added the Dealer's Choice Award, an award that provides another opportunity for manufacturers and representatives to promote your products as award-worthy in front of the staffs of every DPHA dealer.  The Dealer's Choice Award works as follows: 

• Every product submitted for the 2017 Product of the Year (POTYs) will be eligible to win the Dealer's Choice Award.
• Voting will take place immediately following the annual conference and will be open for approximately six weeks. 
• All dealer showroom staff members who have a DPHA login will be eligible to vote. One vote per person. 
• The winner will be announced during the opening session of the 2018 Conference.

Manufacturers - when was the last time you were handed a golden opportunity to have your new products analyzed and critiqued by leading journalists of publications that are read and respected by your clients and prospects? DPHA is providing you this opportunity. Be sure to take advantage of it.

Your June Reminder - An Easy Way to Recognize Rising Stars

The DPHA 17-on-17 Program recognizes up-and-coming influencers in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program
will profile 17 DPHA members with 10 or less years of experience. Each month from June through October 2017, members will be inducted into the 17-in-17 club, and their stories will be featured in DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections. Click here to download the nomination form, complete it and send your nomination to Jim Babbitt via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net or fax to 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?

Only a Limited Amount of Booth Spaces Remain Available for the 2017 DPHA Product Showcase

Do you want to end your year with a bang? If so, DPHA is providing an opportunity for member companies to place their products in front of an elite group of experienced and market-savvy distributors that run the best showrooms in North America. Plan to exhibit at the 2017 DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase, October 12-14, 2017 at the Sheraton Grand at Wildhorse Pass Resort in Chandler, AZ.

This year's showcase will once again be a must-see event! DPHA will conduct a multifaceted marketing campaign targeting hundreds of dealer showrooms throughout North America. This effort will provide multiple reasons for dealers to attend. We will partner with you and every one of the Showcase exhibitors to promote new products, existing products and current best-selling products through Connections and creative eblasts.

We will work with each exhibitor to identify dealers that would benefit from attending the Conference and reach out to help encourage them to attend. DPHA will create an easy button that Showcase exhibitors can use to promote their participation at the Conference by providing compelling content that you can issue to your customers and prospects that explain the benefits dealers will receive from attending the Conference.

The venue offers another incentive for DPHA members to attend. We again will be located at a first-class resort with all of the amenities, services and luxury experiences that you expect from an award-winning property with one exception - the price. We've negotiated an unbelievable room rate of $179 per night plus tax and resort fee.

Space is already limited, but you still have a chance to join these other members who will be promoting their products and services in Chandler, AZ:

• Accel Group/David Hawkins Design Management - #113
• Accurate Lock & Hardware - #410
• AD Waters USA - #213
• Amerec - #403
• Americh Corporation - #509
• Ashley Norton - #608
• Axent Corporation - #209
• Baci by Remcraft - #205
• BainUltra - #202 and #204
• Barber Wilsons/Sterlingham - #309
• Barclay Products - #602 and #604
• Bathroom Butler Dezign - #111
• Berenson & R. Christensen Hardware - #303
• Bravo Business Media - #402
• Brizo Faucet Company - #211
• California Faucets - #504
• Cement Elegance - #513
• Colonial Bronze - #203
• Dezi Home - #502
• Dornbracht Americas - #210
• Elkay - #300
• Fleurco, Inc. - #510
• Frank Allart & Company - #313
• Franke Consumer Products - #401 and #500
• Franz Viegener - #600 and #602
• GRAFF - #301 and #400
• Hamilton Sinkler - #208
• Hansgrohe - #302
• Hastings Tile & Bath - #508
• Hydro Systems - #601
• Icera - #212
• Infinity Drain - #312
• Julien, Inc. - #412
• Kartners Bathroom Accessories - 405
• KEUCO Management Inc. - #201
• Lacava - #101
• Lenova - #404
• MCN European Enterprises - #413
• Mountain Plumbing Products - #409
• MrSteam - #501
• MTI Baths - #305
• Nantucket Sinks - #612
• Nikles USA - #503
• Oceania Bath - #505
• OMNIA Industries - #100
• Pentair Everpure - #310
• ROHL LLC - #408
• Samuel Heath - #511
• SLIK Portfolio - #109
• Steamist - #304
• ThermaSol Steambath - #200
• THG USA - #311
• Top Notch Distributors - #411
• Valley Acrylic - #105
• Victoria & Albert Bath - #308
• WETSTYLE - #512

Manufacturers and others interested in displaying this year at the DPHA Product Showcase should contact Executive Director Jim Babbitt at 224-999-0434 or email Jim at jbabbitt@dpha.net. Do so now, because given the initial response we've received for booth space, we expect a complete sell out in the next several weeks. And if you don't exhibit, you can't promote your products or services on or anywhere near the show floor.

Stand Up and Be Recognized, May 2017 Recognition Program Graduates!

DPHA is pleased to honor the May 2017 graduating class of DPH professionals who have successfully passed all of the new Recognition Program examinations. They are: 

Bath & Kitchen Category:

• Paul Martin, Simon's Supply

Hardware Category:

• Noelle Rogovin, The Plumbing Place 

General Knowledge Category:

• Paul Martin, Simon's Supply

Special Acknowledgement to those who have completed all THREE categories - Bath & Kitchen, Hardware and General Knowledge:

• Paul Martin, Simon's Supply
• Noelle Rogovin, The Plumbing Place

And for those folks who are current participants in the Recognition Program but who initially signed up for the testing program prior to January 1, 2017, don't forget that, as we announced in earlier issues of Connections, you will need to successfully complete the following four revised tests before being eligible to receive your 2017 category completion certificates:

1. Lavatory Faucets (Bath & Kitchen Category)
2. Kitchen Faucets (Bath & Kitchen category)
3. Locks and Latches (Hardware category)
4. Care and Maintenance (General Knowledge category)

The DPHA Recognition Program recognizes DPH showroom professionals for their product knowledge and sales expertise. The program is available only to DPHA members. The series of exams are based on information contained in the DPHA Education Program manuals, and each exam relates to an individual product category (e.g. lavatory faucets, tubs, cabinet hardware, etc.). To be recognized in each category, participants must answer 100% of the questions correctly. DPHA will electronically issue certificates to those participants who successfully pass all of the bath and kitchen, hardware and/or general knowledge programs. 

Additionally, the Education Committee, under the leadership of Fred Felder (Simon's Supply) and Traci D'Antoni (D'Antoni Sales Group), along with the Recognition Program Subcommittee headed by Jerry Williams (WMS Decorative Resource), is excited to announce a new benefit for the Recognition Program participants - anyone who successfully completes all 22 testing modules in 2017 will receive a desk name plate announcing their accomplishment. 

For more information on the DPHA Recognition Program, visit the member's side of www.dpha.net or email Jim Babbitt at jbabbitt@dpha.net.

DPHA is Looking for People Interested in Coordinating Regional Meetings

Do you want to get more involved in our association?  DPHA's Marketing Committee, under the leadership of Kimberly Frechette (Infinity Drain) and Eric Phelps (Victoria + Albert Baths), is looking for people who would be interested in chairing or co-chairing possible regional meetings later this year and/or in 2018.  This is a great opportunity to get more involved in the association while not having to leave the comfort of your community.  If you believe there would be interest for a regional meeting in your area and you would like more information about this opportunity, please contact Jim Babbitt at 224-999-0434 or via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net.