DPHA Revises the Water Closets & Bidets Manual

The DPHA Education Committee, under the astute leadership of Fred Felder (Simon's Supply) and Traci D'Antoni (D'Antoni Sales Group) has updated the DPHA Water Closets & Bidets manual, one of 22 volumes that comprise the DPHA Education Program. Water Closets and Bidets explains how a water closet works and describes the different types of water closets that are commonly sold in a decorative plumbing and hardware showroom and how they differ from products sold in home centers and other venues that do not specialize in premium to luxury products. The manual also explains different flushing technologies, performance factors and the technological and "wow" factors offered by water closets featuring smart technology whose benefits range from self-cleaning capabilities to heated, illuminated seats.  

 

The information is presented in point-by-point format. Included are suggested questions that sales professionals need to ask to help obtain a better understanding of customer needs and preferences. There is a quiz at the end of each module that can be used as a tool to evaluate information learned.

 

A unique section of the manual offers guidance for selling a $10,000 water closet instead of one that costs $500 or less. Throughout the manual, suggestions appear to help sales associates establish better emotional connections and trust with potential clients and customers. The DPHA Education Program serves dual purposes. One is to explain the technological, performance and aesthetic differences in premium and luxury products featured in decorative plumbing and hardware showrooms and the other purpose is to offer guidance for sales professionals to appeal to the needs, demands and dreams of luxury consumers.

 

The DPHA Education Program is comprised of a series of manuals to familiarize and educate showroom sales staff, manufacturer representatives, manufacturer customer service representatives and others new to the decorative plumbing and hardware industry. Each manual is a training guide that introduces baseline product information to enable showroom staff and others to become familiar with terminology, sales techniques, basic operations and common problems.

 

The Bidet section of the new manual explains how to sell an integrated bidet seat, describes why and how a bidet is used and reviews the different types of bidets commonly sold in decorative plumbing and hardware showrooms. There is a section that explains different spray options.

 

It should also be noted that the Education Program manuals form the basis for DPHA's Recognition Program that offers comprehensive tests for plumbing and hardware categories. The program provides a medium for decorative plumbing and hardware professionals to hone their craft, recognize individuals that have expanded their industry knowledge and provide opportunities for showrooms and others to promote continuing education among their team members.

 

Other modules in the DPHA Education Program include: Accessories, Adorning the Door, Bath Furniture, Bathroom Lighting, Baths (Tubs), Cabinet and Architectural Hardware, Care and Maintenance, Door Hinges, Drains, Finishes, Greening the Bath, Kitchen Faucets, Lavatory Faucets, Locks, Latches and Door Hardware Trim, Multipoint Locks, Protecting the Door, Showers, Shower Systems and Tub Valves, Sinks, Steam Systems, Supplies and Waste Assemblies and Universal Design.

 

Members can view the new Water Closets & Bidets manual by going to the Association's website, www.dpha.net, going to the Members Portal and then following the path "Education > Description & Manuals".  If you need your login information, simply send your email request to Rebekah Covay at rebekah@dpha.net.

The 2018 DPHA Award Nominations Deadline is This Coming Tuesday, July 31

In case you haven't been paying attention, the final day for submitting award nominations is this coming Tuesday, July 31. 

 

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 keep changing this trend by encouraging you to submit applications and nominations to the 2018 DPHA Awards program. The deadline to submit applications and nominations is now July 31 for the following honors:

• DPHA Showroom of the Year - 2017 winner was Premier Bath & Kitchen in Walnut Creek, CA
• DPHA Showroom Professional of the Year - 2017 winner was Tonya Martin of ProSource Supply
• DPHA Manufacturing Professional of the Year - 2017 winner was Tom Bryant of BainUltra
• DPHA Representative Agency Professional of the Year - 2017 winner was Blake Rivas of TCB Sales
• DPHA Rep Agency of the Year - 2017 winner was Premier Marketing
• DPHA Manufacturer Customer Service Department of the Year -  2017 Winner was Accurate Lock & Hardware
• DPHA Products of the Year (POTY) -
• Plumbing Product, Fixtures (sinks, tubs, toilets) - 2017 winner was Victoria + Albert's Eldon Tub
• Plumbing Product, Water Delivery (faucets, showerheads and valves) - 2017 winner was GRAFF's Sospiro Kitchen Faucet
• Furniture - 2017 winner was The Furniture Guild's Avant 620-0560-OB-B49 Vanity
• Hardware - 2017 winner was Accurate Lock and Hardware's SilentPac Solutions
• Accessories - 2017 winner was Infinity Drain-USG Shower System
• Dealers' Choice Award - 2017 winner was Brizo's Litze Single-Handle Lavatory Faucet

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-portal side of the web site. Just click on the "Awards Program" menu and scroll down the page to the link for the online award nominations.  For those who prefer the traditional route, you can also download form-fillable PDFs of the different award nominations by clicking on the appropriate links. Or if you would simply like us to send the application forms to you and you are a member of the Association, send an email to rebekah@dpha.net with your request.

  

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. Alissa Ponchione, Assistant 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

The Awards Committee added the Dealer's Choice Award a few years ago that provides another opportunity for manufacturers and representatives to promote their 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 2018 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 2019 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.

This is Your Last Chance to Let DPHA Help Pay for Your Child's or Grandchild's College Education Next Year

We know that with so much going on in everyone's lives right now many people forget DPHA has a way to help the children or grandchildren of a member with the cost of college or university. But now that graduations are going on or have already occurred, and before the summer goes into full swing and your attention may be diverted elsewhere, remember DPHA's Council of Fellows is currently accepting applications for its 2018 Alberto Comini Memorial Scholarship Fund. Applications must be received by July 31st, 2018.

 

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 (in 2018, Alberto Comini), 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 a citizen of a North American country.
• Applicant must be the child or grandchild of a DPHA member employee.
• Applicant must be a high school graduate currently enrolled in a college, university or accredited trade school.
• 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, 2018.

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." 

No Business Is an Island Unto Itself: A(ction)C(hanges)T(hings) - 2018 Conference Registration is Open

DPHA is accepting reservations for its 17th Annual Conference and Product Showcase, October 11-14, 2018, at the Marriott Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Compelling reasons you should attend: 

• You've never seen or heard anything comparable to Avish Parashar. Avish energizes, inspires, and entertains while providing the tools DPHA members need to respond to three critical challenges:

1. The world is changing faster than ever, and people often get "stuck in the past," resisting and complaining about change instead of embracing it and moving forward.
2. Workloads increase while resources decrease, creating stress and a sense of becoming overwhelmed by constantly having to do more and more with less and less.
3. Communicating with other people (customers, prospects and your team) who are difficult, different from us, or who respond to us in unexpected ways which often leads to stress, conflict, and missed opportunities.

• What is one of the biggest challenges facing decorative plumbing and hardware showrooms today? Finding and retaining top-tier talent. With unemployment rates under 4%, that challenge is becoming more difficult. That's why we are bringing Ty Bennett to the Marriott Sawgrass Resort. In a five-year period, Ty has surveyed more than 5,000 business leaders and asked one question: what do you want from your people?

• Learn the actionable steps you and your team can implement to make a stranger a friend and engage customers at a deeper level so when you present products and services, you'll convert more sales and create raving fans. Bob Phibbs, The Retail
  Doctor, will explain:

• How to greet customers and avoid the pitfalls most still make.
• How to make become trusted advisors to your customers and clients.
• How to conduct a showroom tour that establishes trust.
• Why features and benefits don't work and what to emphasize instead.
• How to add-on to every sale.

• An Offer Too Good to be True: Sales Training Track Program - The Program and Showcase Committee, under the leadership of Richard Campbell (Belmont Hardware) and Ryan Paul (Summit Architectural Resource), provide members with an offer that is almost too good to be true. You can bring multiple members of your sales team (who are first time conference attendees) to the DPHA Conference for only $245 per person and have them participate in a custom sales training session developed specifically for showroom professionals by Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor. The Sales Training Program is a combination of both classroom learning and a roundtable workshop where your team can learn successful sales and showroom practices from peers across North America. You can find more details in the Conference Prospectus on page 4.

• Have loads of fun at the DPHA Saturday Night Banquet!

• Expand your resource base to enable you to solve problems easier, recognize trends faster and make your job more professionally rewarding.

• Take advantage of the most successful marketing, technology, human resource and customer service practices in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry.

• It's fun and you earned it.

The DPHA Product Showcase features new products, bestsellers and the latest technologies that will help keep your showroom fresh and on the cutting edge. The DPHA Annual Conference is the largest gathering of decorative plumbing and hardware showroom owners, manufacturers and representatives who understand that attending provides endless opportunities to improve their bottom lines. 

 

How can you recognize new opportunities if you never leave the comfort of your office? The DPHA Conference not only helps you build relationships and expand your knowledge, but your participation also reflects that you care about the industry. 

 

Click here to download the Conference Prospectus and Registration Form.

 

Click here to reserve a hotel room at the Marriott Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa.

The Faces-of-Our-Future Program Recognizes Stephen Hardy at Samuel Heath

The DPHA Faces-of-Our-Future Program recognizes up-and-coming influencers in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program will profile DPHA members with 10 or less years of experience. Each month from June through October 2018, members will be inducted into the Faces-of-Our-Future Club, and their stories will be featured in DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections. This week we recognize Stephen Hardy, USA National Sales Manager at Samuel Heath and based in California.

 

Stephen joined Samuel Heath about 10 years ago, and spent his first 6 months training extensively in both sides of the company (plumbing and hardware). Sent to the US to manage American accounts, Stephen recognized right away that relationships were key to his success, and subsequently spent the better part of his first year at Samuel Heath concentrating on getting to know DPHA member showrooms and other key accounts. According to one of Stephen's nominators, "The last year or so, Stephen has shifted his focus to brand recognition by calling on the architects and designers.  Educating the specifiers in the community has brought Samuel Heath to the forefront.  Since bringing Stephen to the US, Samuel Heath has seen steady and sustainable growth.  Communication, networking and education are DPHA philosophies that Stepehn has embraced."  

  

Connections: How long have you been in the DPH industry?

Stephen: 10 years. Looks like I just made the cut! 

Connections: What has surprised you about the industry?

Stephen: To echo others, when I first came into the industry I was surprised at how inter-connected it is. It really is like a family environment, especially within DPHA and that's nice to be a part of. I have come to learn, it's also a very active and significant industry; as an outsider not being in the mix, you would have no idea of its size and significance and how important all parties are to completing fantastic interior projects across the country. The level of professionalism is also something that always resonates with me. Whether it's a quick visit to a showroom to check in, a presentation to an architect or designer's office or a showroom PK, you always have everyone's full attention and people are there to learn, but more importantly, there is a willingness to want to be better, through increased knowledge about a particular brand.  

Connections: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in our industry?

Stephen: When I first started with Samuel Heath, it was 2008, I was a young Englishman sent out to the United States to sell a luxury product. Of course, back then it was the beginning of the recession years and naturally things were tense. Here I was, trying to learn a new job and also sell luxury products to our dealers who were adapting their businesses to survive in very difficult conditions. The combination of being new to the job and the industry and facing such economic headwinds created big challenges, but it also helped me to grow considerably. When you have a great company behind you that has been through several recessions in their history, the mindset and approach to business changes and I quickly adapted to deal with these tough times. One thing that the Heath family has always placed great emphasis on is loyalty to customers and making sure they are always looked after. Whilst others in the industry were forced to scale back on visiting showroom customers, we were fortunate to be able to maintain our visitation rates and were keen to show customers that we were there for them in both good times and in bad. Naturally, the business wasn't at the level it is now, but the important thing was that our customers felt supported and this helped me to build many long-lasting relationships with our dealer base across the US and we weathered the recession years together. 

Connections: What do you enjoy about being in this industry?

Stephen: First off, I really enjoy working for a company with so much history and heritage. I have become very passionate in my role over the years and a lot of that has to do with the quality of products we produce and the company behind me. This passion is also fueled significantly by how receptive our showroom customers are to us and how passionate they are about the product collections we manufacture. Second, I am a person who thrives off building relationships and after visiting dealers across the county for 10 years, I have built some fantastic relationships with many of our customers becoming close friends. We are now at a point where we are really starting to drive business to our showroom dealers through work on the ground with the specifiers (designers and architects). Our US team is making great strides in this area and this keeps things very enjoyable as the role we now perform is very varied. A visit to a showroom can be so much different than a visit to a designer's office, but the ultimate goal for both is to drive business and nothing pleases me more than helping to create a specification and then it showing up on a sales person's desk at one of our dealers. This brings me great satisfaction, as it shows the process working and it shows our loyal customer base that we are out there working to create more business after many years of them helping to push us forward in the US. 

Connections: Anything else you would like to add?

Stephen: I would like to give a quick shout out to the team behind me in the UK and US. Thank you for all your help over the years! Thank you also to my wife Jeanette for putting up with my endless travel schedule!

If you would like to nominate someone for inclusion in the Faces-of-Our-Future 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?

 

I'll Eat and Drink to That: A Winning Combination, Peer Recognition and the St. Augustine Food & Wine Tour

The Awards Committee has an offer you could refuse, but won't want to. The Committee wants to take you on a food and wine tour at the 2018 Annual Conference in St. Augustine, Florida. Sponsored by Barber Wilsons/Sterlingham and Baci by Remcraft, a coach bus will depart the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa on Wednesday, October 10th at 4 p.m. and will return sometime around 9 p.m.

 

Once in St. Augustine, this 3-hour VIP tasting extravaganza will visit unique and off-the-beaten path local restaurants. From tapas to desserts, you'll taste your way through St. Augustine's colorful history via its rich culinary influences over the centuries, with your professional tour host. This award-winning tour includes a full glass of premium wine, hand selected by the chef, at 4 of the restaurants the group will visit. Come hungry and be ready for fun!    

 

20 of the 45 available seats will be awarded to those who submit 2018 nominations for the Showroom, Manufacturing and Representative Professionals of the Year and for Customer Service Department, Rep Agency and Showroom of the Year. For each nomination that someone submits for a peer in any of these six distinguished categories, the nominator will receive a raffle ticket for one of the no-cost 20 seats to be part of the St. Augustine food and wine tour. The remaining 25 seats are available for purchase at $150 per seat. For more information, or if you have questions, please contact Rebekah Covay at 630-854-3911 or via email at  rebekah@dpha.net.

 

Taking a culinary tour of St. Augustine is great, but recognizing someone who gives unselfishly of themselves to advance their industry - priceless! If you have ever won an award or have been recognized by your peers, you know how wonderful that feeling is. How many peers can you think of that truly deserve to have a similar peer-recognition experience? Spend a few minutes and give them the recognition they deserve. Visit the members only side of the DPHA web site to access the awards criteria and nomination process, or email Rebekay Covay for further information.

Time is Running Out to Let DPHA Help Pay for Your Child's or Grandchild's College Education Next Year

We know that with so much going on in everyone's lives right now many people forget DPHA has a way to help the children or grandchildren of a member with the cost of college or university. But now that graduations are going on or have already occurred, and before the summer goes into full swing and your attention may be diverted elsewhere, remember DPHA's Council of Fellows is currently accepting applications for its 2018 Alberto Comini Memorial Scholarship Fund. Applications must be received by July 31st, 2018.

 

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 (in 2018, Alberto Comini), 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 a citizen of a North American country.
• Applicant must be the child or grandchild of a DPHA member employee.
• Applicant must be a high school graduate currently enrolled in a college, university or accredited trade school.
• 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, 2018.

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."

Please Note - The 2018 DPHA Award Nominations Deadline Has Been Extended Through July 31

Many of you have contacted us to request an extension to submit award nominations, so we are pleased to announce that the final day for submitting award nominations has been extended to Tuesday, July 31. 

 

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 keep changing this trend by encouraging you to submit applications and nominations to the 2018 DPHA Awards program. The deadline to submit applications and nominations is now July 31 for the following honors:

• DPHA Showroom of the Year - 2017 winner was Premier Bath & Kitchen in Walnut Creek, CA
• DPHA Showroom Professional of the Year - 2017 winner was Tonya Martin of ProSource Supply
• DPHA Manufacturing Professional of the Year - 2017 winner was Tom Bryant of BainUltra
• DPHA Representative Agency Professional of the Year - 2017 winner was Blake Rivas of TCB Sales
• DPHA Rep Agency of the Year - 2017 winner was Premier Marketing
• DPHA Manufacturer Customer Service Department of the Year -  2017 Winner was Accurate Lock & Hardware
• DPHA Products of the Year (POTY) -
• Plumbing Product, Fixtures (sinks, tubs, toilets) - 2017 winner was Victoria + Albert's Eldon Tub
• Plumbing Product, Water Delivery (faucets, showerheads and valves) - 2017 winner was GRAFF's Sospiro Kitchen Faucet
• Furniture - 2017 winner was The Furniture Guild's Avant 620-0560-OB-B49 Vanity
• Hardware - 2017 winner was Accurate Lock and Hardware's SilentPac Solutions
• Accessories - 2017 winner was Infinity Drain-USG Shower System
• Dealers' Choice Award - 2017 winner was Brizo's Litze Single-Handle Lavatory Faucet

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-portal side of the web site. Just click on the "Awards Program" menu and scroll down the page to the link for the online award nominations.  For those who prefer the traditional route, you can also download form-fillable PDFs of the different award nominations by clicking on the appropriate links. Or if you would simply like us to send the application forms to you and you are a member of the Association, send an email to rebekah@dpha.net with your request.

  

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. Alissa Ponchione, Assistant 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

The Awards Committee added the Dealer's Choice Award a few years ago that provides another opportunity for manufacturers and representatives to promote their 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 2018 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 2019 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.

The Faces-of-Our-Future Program Recognizes Kayla Liseth from Belmont Hardware

The DPHA Faces-of-Our-Future Program recognizes up-and-coming influencers in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program will profile DPHA members with 10 or less years of experience. Each month from June through October 2018, members will be inducted into the Faces-of-Our-Future Club, and their stories will be featured in DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections. This week we recognize Kayla Liseth, Showroom Manager at Belmont Hardware in the San Francisco area.

 

Kayla came to Belmont Hardware about a year ago, having previously worked at a local area bicycle shop, and in that short amount of time she has already become one of Belmont Hardware's top 5 salespersons.  According to one of her nominators, "Kayla takes great pride in learning everything she can about our industry. She is enthusiastic to learn and is striving to become an expert in hardware. She is what the industry needs - someone who is young, enthusiastic and really enjoys what she does. She is excellent with regards to customer service, which is something that can't really be taught." 

 

Connections: How long have you been in the DPH industry?

Kayla: I have been in the industry for 2 years. 

Connections: What has surprised you about the industry?

Kayla: One thing that has surprised me is that what sometimes seems to be a trend from some time ago comes back in one way or another, whether it be a finish or a style. There are endless ideas originating from traditional styles, new ideas that have never been conceived of and endless creativity.  

Connections: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in our industry?

Kayla: One of the biggest challenges I have faced is that everything isn't always standard. Sometimes you really have to think outside of the box to come up with solutions to certain things. While it's sometimes a challenge, I find it to be a great learning experience. 

Connections: What do you enjoy about being in this industry?

Kayla: This industry is always growing, and there's always more to learn. I love to work with clients to create a dream they have. It's very rewarding! 

Connections: Anything else you would like to add?

Kayla: I just want to say thank you for this honor. I'm so excited for what is to come in the future. I have truly found my passion.

If you would like to nominate someone for inclusion in the Faces-of-Our-Future 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?

Lucky or Not, Here's Our Connections Friday the 13th Issue

Okay, we realize that some of our loyal Connections readers won't open this issue because it is dated Friday, July 13. They are among an estimated 17 to 21 million Americans who fear this day. Some refuse to fly. Others won't buy anything and still more may not leave their homes. Why is Friday the 13th feared by so many?

It has something to do with the number 13, which is viewed as unlucky. Next time you go into a high-rise, look at the elevator pad and see if there is a 13th floor, or at the airport, do you see gate 13? What's behind this superstition and fear of the number 13?

One theory dates back to Greek mythology. Twelve gods were having a dinner party in heaven (aren't you curious as to what was on the menu?).  A thirteenth uninvited guest known as Loki then arrived (we all know a Loki don't we). Loki was a manipulator and convinced Hoder the blind god of darkness to shoot Balder the Beautiful - the god of joy and gladness - (I wonder what they were drinking at this party) with a mistletoe-tipped arrow (how does a blind person shoot someone and consider that unlucky?). When Balder died, Earth went dark, causing the entire planet to mourn. It was a bad, unlucky day. From that point on, the number 13 has had negative connotations.

If 13 is associated with bad luck, then why is it only Friday the 13th that causes some heartache? You can thank Chaucer for making Friday deadly. When The Canterbury Tales were published in the 14th century, Chaucer wrote, "And on Friday fell all this mischance." Whoda thunk it?

We, on the other hand, believe Friday the 13th is a lucky day because we get to share Connections with more than 2,600 members of the DPHA community. Happy and lucky reading! 

Register Now for the Northern California July 21st Regional Meeting

Join your industry peers as they get together for dinner, networking and some Bocce, Bowling and Billiards fun! This is a great opportunity to not only network with fellow Association members, but a chance to have fun and exchange ideas with others who work in the DPH industry.

Interested? If you answered yes, don't miss the July 21st Northern California Regional Meeting being held at Plank, 98 Broadway in Oakland, CA. The cost to attend is $50 per DPHA member or spouse, and $70 per prospective member.

Email rebekah@dpha.net with the names of those from your organization who will attend, or click here  to download a copy of the registration form. We hope to see you there! 

 

The Faces-of-Our-Future Program Recognizes Patrick R. Weidl from LACAVA

The DPHA Faces-of-Our-Future Program recognizes up-and-coming influencers in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program will profile DPHA members with 10 or less years of experience. Each month from June through October 2018, members will be inducted into the Faces-of-Our-Future Club, and their stories will be featured in DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections. This week we recognize Patrick R. Weidl, Western U.S. Regional Sales Manager, based out of Chicago, IL.

 

Patrick has certainly made a positive impression, based on the following comments from one of his nominators.  "Patrick is extremely professional and continuously demonstrates a strong moral character.  In his short time with LACAVA, we have seen a tremendous growth in the product line, not just from the showroom perspective, but in increased recognition of the product line from our clients.  Most importantly, Patrick takes pride in his follow-up, which makes the showroom feel confident in the product and his service." 

 

Connections: How long have you been in the DPH industry?

Patrick: I have been in the DPHA industry for 6 years. Time really does fly!

Connections: What has surprised you about the industry?

Patrick: The biggest surprise to me is how well everyone communicates and relates with one another, no matter the difference in showroom, product or manufacturing company. The collaborative effort and family type vibe that you get from the DPHA industry is unlike any other. 

Connections: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in our industry?

Patrick: The biggest challenge I think "WE" all face on a daily basis is the e-commerce retail market that is extremely/unfairly saturated with discounts that do not allow the showroom sales consultants or industry partners to compete. The bigger picture is that to a select group of customers, service whether front-end or back-end is of no added value. It is up to us to change the mindset! 

Connections: What do you enjoy about being in this industry?

Patrick: This industry is a joy to be a part of just with the lasting relationships I have created by simply talking about plumbing. Madmen happens to be a favorite show of mine and if I can remember one quote to embrace from the great Don Draper its: ""You Are The Product. You Feel Something. That's What Sells." These days, cultivating relationships while also buying and selling is based on emotion. That feeling and sense of passion shines through in your education and selling process. Prospects/Partners can see it, they can hear it, and if you're good, they can get that same feeling about your offerings. You never know what comes from a simple hello. 

Connections: Anything else you would like to add?

Patrick: I am very humbled and honored to have been nominated for the DPHA Faces-of-Our-Future program. I want to thank everyone who contributed to my growth and success knowing I could not have done it without you. I know that there are a lot of new things to learn everyday and I only hope to pass along the leadership and knowledge I was shown to others entering this exciting industry.  

If you would like to nominate someone for inclusion in the Faces-of-Our-Future 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?

Join These 2018 Conference Sponsors and Make a Big Splash at Sawgrass with a Conference Sponsorship

Conference registration hasn't even started yet, but we would like to thank those companies who have already signed up to be sponsors at the 2018 DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase:

• Saturday Night Banquet Sponsor (The House of ROHL)
• Perrin & Rowe
• Riobel
• ROHL
• Shaws Since 1897
• Victoria + Albert
• Ice Luge Sponsors
• Barber Wilsons/Sterlingham
• ICERA
• Saturday Awards Luncheon
• California Faucets
• Monique's Bath Showroom
• Lanyard Sponsor - Franke
• Key Card Sponsor - Berenson & R Christensen Hardware
• Breakfast Sponsors -
• Accurate Lock & Hardware
• Amerec
• Keuco
• Friday Night Bar Sponsors -
• Kartners Bathroom Accessories
• LACAVA
• Lenova
• Saturday Night Bar Sponsor - LACAVA

Want to join this distinguished list? 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 for serving as a DPHA conference 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. These sponsorships are still available:

• CONFERENCE DEALER GIVEAWAY SPONSORS ($2,000 each, limit of 3 and sponsor is also responsible for the cost of the giveaway item)
• Company's name and logo will appear on the giveaway item
• Recognition as a giveaway sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the conference
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference registration along with the other conference sponsors
• Must have giveaway approved by staff prior to distribution

• GOLF OUTING SPONSOR ($3,000)
• 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 registration along with the other conference sponsors

• SATURDAY MORNING BLOODY MARY BAR SPONSOR ($3,000, and must also exhibit in the Product Showcase)
• Sponsorship is for a Bloody Mary bar set-up on Saturday morning during the Product Showcase
• Recognition as the Bloody Mary bar sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the Bloody Mary bar on Saturday
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference registration along with the other conference sponsors
• Includes pre-selected booth space (by staff) prior to exhibitor sign-up

• SATURDAY MORNING MIMOSA BAR SPONSOR ($3,000, and must also exhibit in the Product Showcase)
• Sponsorship is for a Mimosa bar set-up on Saturday morning during the Product Showcase
• Recognition as the Mimosa bar sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the Mimosa bar on Saturday
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference registration along with the other conference sponsors
• Includes pre-selected booth space (by staff) prior to exhibitor sign-up

• COFFEE BAR SPONSOR, FRIDAY ($3,000)
• Sponsorship is for all coffee set-ups on Friday during the Product Showcase, which includes company logo on the coffee sleeves
• 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 registration along with the other conference sponsors

• COFFEE BAR SPONSOR, SATURDAY ($3,000)
• Sponsorship is for a deluxe coffee set-up on Saturday morning during the Product Showcase, which includes company logo on the coffee sleeves
• Recognition as the Saturday coffee bar sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the coffee service on Saturday
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference registration along with the other conference sponsors

• CHARGING STATION SPONSOR ($2,000, one sponsor per day)
• Recognition as charging station sponsor at the charging booth
• Recognition as charging station sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the conference
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference registration along with the other conference sponsors

• BREAKFAST SPONSOR ($1,500, two sponsorships still available)
• Recognition as breakfast sponsor at breakfast
• Exclusive opportunity to show products on PowerPoint played during the breakfast
• Recognition as banquet sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the breakfast
• Ability to show PowerPoint during breakfast

• SATURDAY NIGHT BAR SPONSOR ($1,500, two sponsorships still available)
• Recognition as a bar sponsor at banquet
• Recognition as a bar sponsor in the meeting Newsleak
• Premier signage at the bar
• Ability to show PowerPoint during the conference registration along with the other conference sponsors

If you are interested in taking a conference sponsorship, email Rebekah Covay at rebekah@dpha.net or click here to download a copy of the DPHA 2018 Conference Sponsorship Opportunities form.

Register Now for the Northern California July 21st Regional Meeting

Join your industry peers as they get together for dinner, networking and some Bocce, Bowling and Billiards fun! This is a great opportunity to not only network with fellow Association members, but a chance to have fun and exchange ideas with others who work in the DPH industry.

Interested? If you answered yes, don't miss the July 21st Northern California Regional Meeting being held at Plank, 98 Broadway in Oakland, CA. The cost to attend is $50 per DPHA member or spouse, and $70 per prospective member.

Email rebekah@dpha.net with the names of those from your organization who will attend, or click here  to download a copy of the registration form. We hope to see you there! 

 

Do You Want to Help Lead? 2019 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 2019 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 13, 2018.