Not to Sound Like a Broken Record, But Again, Here is Why We Believe We Deserve Your Support in 2019

Now that we are almost at the end of February 2019, we wanted to remind you that all membership benefits will be cancelled at the end of March 2019 if we haven't received your dues renewal. If you have not paid your 2019 DPHA dues yet, what are you waiting for? Dues are only $715 per year. This is an incredible value given the benefits that the Association offers its members. We are confident that we will continue to deliver the return on your dues investment that DPHA members expect and deserve. Second notices were issued a few weeks or so ago, and if we don't hear back from you soon, please be kind to Rebekah Covay when she attempts to contact you. Here are just some of the things you can look forward to from your DPHA membership in 2019:

• DPHA offers the industry's only showroom recognition program that rewards your sales professionals for their sales knowledge and product expertise.

• Take advantage of daily content on the DPHA Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram feeds and LinkedIn group postings that update our members on new products, new programs and new developments in the DPH industry.

• Keep your fingers on the pulse of your industry. Connections is a weekly communication laser-focused on industry and association news to help improve our DPHA member businesses.

• DPHA plans to update several existing education modules plus possibly expand educational programs to include videos.

• The best annual conference and product showcase in our industry that serves as the venue for introducing new products to the DPH industry.

• Enhanced communication that offers sales guidance to showroom sales professionals in order to better hone their skills while providing them with tools to knock the socks off their competition.

• An energized and dynamic organization that serves as the industry's home to network, exchange ideas and obtain competitive advantages.

• Even more improvements to our web site that serves as the go-to resource for staff training tools, industry news and networking.

• The industry's most prestigious awards program that recognizes best-in-class professionals and products.



• A staff and a creative team that understands the industry, is passionate about the Association and is committed to earning your trust and membership.

DPHA has tangible, productive, viable and valuable deliverables that help with daily operations, but we need your support and participation to assure that DPHA continues to develop products, services and deliverables that provide your business with competitive advantages. If you have any questions, give us a call or contact Jim Babbitt at jbabbitt@dpha.net or Rebekah Covay at rebekah@dpha.net. We look forward to working with you and helping to make your business better in 2019.

A Special Thank You to Our Program & Showcase Committee

Over the past several weeks we have repeatedly mentioned that we often take the time to thank the association's officers and our Board of Directors for everything they do, but forget to thank those persons who really make things happen for DPHA - our committees and their chairpersons. The committees are the ones where truly, "the rubber meets the road" - they do the real work that makes our association grow, refine current programs and develop new ones that help deliver more ROI to our membership. These committees meet by conference call monthly (usually lasting 30 to 60 minutes in length) and in reality, help drive the success of DPHA. So finally (although certainly not least), we would like to take a moment to acknowledge all those folks who work so diligently, and usually without any fanfare or praise, on our Program and Showcase Committee.

• Program & Showcase Committee - meets the third Monday of every month at 4 p.m. eastern time
• Co-Chairpersons: 
• Richard Campbell (Belmont Hardware)
• Kim Killgore (The Rain Company)
• Committee Members:
• Oliver Bleich, KEUCO Management Inc.
• Kate Brady, General Plumbing Supply
• Sheila Carter, Carter Hardware
• David Crossley, Baci by Remcraft/Colonial Bronze/Lisa Jarvis Jewlery
• Traci D'Antoni, D'Antoni Sales Group
• Caspar DeJong, Legacy Imaging
• Tarra Del Chiaro, Accurate Lock & Hardware
• Christy Ellis, Sandpiper Supply
• Gary Erickson, Renaissance Design Studio
• Anthony Hajjar, JACLO Industries
• Cary Hergenrother, Hastings Tile & Bath
• Linda Hoff, AD Decorative Brands
• Sarah Jenkinson, Barber Wilson/Sterlingham
• Mary Labowitz, Premier Decorative Group
• Kylie Nelson, Premier Decorative Group
• Ryan Paul, Summit Architectural Resource
• Michael Pechar, MDP Group
• Jerry Pedulla, Creative Bath Sales
• Stacey Singer, Alno Inc.
• John Smithman, The Plumbing Place
• Debby Stehr, Stehr Enterprise
• Steven Weinberg, California Faucets

Thank you so much to everyone on the Program and Showcase Committee for your service and contributions to not only DPHA, but the industry as a whole.

If you are interested in serving on any of our committees (Awards, Education, Marketing or Program & Showcase), please contact Rebekah Covay. And don't worry about signing up but not being able to make all of the committee conference calls - attendance is mandatory for staff only (Rebekah Covay and Jim Babbitt) - we are a volunteer association, after all. Here's your chance to not only network with more industry professionals, but help to make a difference!

How Can You Get a Great Bang for Your Buck? Become a 2019 DPHA Corporate Sponsor

Before we get too much further into this new year, DPHA wants to remind our members again of the menu of 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.

PLATINUM ($11,000)

• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Newsleak
• 25% discount on Newsleak and Connections advertising
• A corporate/product profile in Newsleak
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Connections
• Product spotlight in Connections
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor on the Web Page
• Recognition in each updated and new installment of the DPHA Education Program
• First opportunity to reserve display space at the Product Showcase
• Two complimentary conference registrations
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference prospectus
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference program
• Profile in the conference program
• Product spotlight in the conference program
• Four ads in Connections

GOLD ($6,500)

• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Newsleak
• 25% discount on Newsleak and Connections advertising 
• A corporate/product profile in Newsleak
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Connections
• Product spotlight in Connections
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor on the Web Page
• Recognition in each updated and new installment of the DPHA Education Program
• Second opportunity to reserve display space at the Product Showcase
• One complimentary conference registration
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference prospectus
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference program
• Two ads in Connections

SILVER ($3,750)

• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Newsleak
• 25% discount on Newsleak and Connections advertising
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Connections
• Product spotlight in Connections
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor on the Web Page
• Recognition in each updated and new installment of the DPHA Education Program
• Third opportunity to reserve display space at the Product Showcase
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference prospectus
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference program

BRONZE ($1,750)

• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Newsleak
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor in each Connections
• Product spotlight in Connections
• Recognition as a corporate sponsor on the Web Page
• Recognition in each updated and new installment of the DPHA Education Program
• Fourth opportunity to reserve display space at the Product Showcase
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference prospectus
• Corporate sponsorship recognition in the conference program

Members that are interested in keeping their name and web sites in front of the most influential members of the DPH industry continuously and want to take advantage of DPHA sponsorship opportunities should contact Jim Babbitt at jbabbitt@dpha.net or call him at 224-999-0434. You can also download the 2019 Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities Form simply by clicking here.

App of the Issue: MLB Ballpark (Because Opening Day Isn't That Far Away)

Regularly, DPHA will highlight applications that can make your job and life easier. If you have an app that you particularly enjoy and that you believe could benefit your fellow DPHA members, please forward the information to Jim Babbitt at jbabbitt@dpha.net.

   

Because your editor has been doing too much snow blowing and shoveling lately, it is probably easily explained that his mind keeps turning to baseball's upcoming season. Many ball clubs (including my beloved Chicago Cubs) are no longer printing season tickets, but instead are sending out their tickets electronically to their seaon ticket holders via MLB's Ballpark app. That means that if any of you would be getting tickets from someone you know who has season tickets with these many baseball teams, you will also need this application to get tickets from the person transferring them to you. So, here's their official information:

The MLB Ballpark app is your mobile companion when visiting your favorite Major League Baseball ballparks. The official MLB ballpark application perfectly complements and personalizes your trip with mobile check-in, social media, offers, rewards and exclusive content. Select MLB ballparks also offer mobile food ordering and merchandise ordering and seat and experience upgrade components. Check in automatically with iBeacon technology at select ballparks for exclusive offers and in-game features.

Features:

• Access and manage your digital tickets (select clubs only)
• Check in for offers and rewards and personalized history for ballparks visited
• Team schedule, directions and parking information, social media clubhouse and more
• Interactive concourse maps and directory, including food and drinks menus
• Ballpark and player entrance music info, with the ability to purchase songs on iPhone
• See team videos, plus watch video highlights from games attended
• Seat and experience upgrade functionality is available at select ballparks

A Special Thank You to Our Marketing Committee

Over the past weeks we have repeatedly mentioned that we often take the time to thank the association's officers and our Board of Directors for everything they do, but forget to thank those persons who really make things happen for DPHA - our committees and their chairpersons. The committees are the ones where truly, "the rubber meets the road" - they do the real work that makes our association grow, refine current programs and develop new ones that help deliver more ROI to our membership. These committees meet by conference call monthly (usually lasting 30 to 60 minutes in length) and in reality, help drive the success of DPHA. So now, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge all those folks who work so diligently, and usually without any fanfare or praise, on our Marketing Committee.

• Marketing Committee - meets the fourth Monday of every month at 4 p.m. eastern time
• Co-Chairpersons: 
• Phil Hotarek (Lutz Bath & Kitchen)
• Patrick Weidl (Thermasol)
• Committee Members:
• Stan Artman, Native Trails
• Genevieve Balthazard, Zitta
• Marie-Eve Baril, Baril
• Oliver Bleich, KEUCO Management Inc.
• Andrew Boico, Classic Kitchen & Bath
• Kate Brady, General Plumbing Supply
• Tom Brook, Kartners Bathroom Accessories
• Cynthia Carter, Next Generation Marketing
• Kevin Carter, Next Generation Marketing
• Tony Carter, Carter Hardware
• John Coyle, Signum LLC
• David Crossley, Baci by Remcraft/Colonial Bronze/Lisa Jarvis Jewlery
• Kane Dabir, Sidler International
• Heather Domingue, Milestone Distributors
• Robert Foster, Foster Companies
• Kimberly Frechette, Americh
• John Gosselin, ShowroomMarketing.com
• Anthony Hajjar, JACLO Industries
• Yana Haralanova, Repcor
• Diane Hutter, KEUCO Management Inc,
• Sarah Jenkinson, Barber Wilson/Sterlingham
• Dennis Mezzapesa, TCB Sales
• Debbie Miller, Millers Elegant Hardware
• Nat Mucha, Fairmont Designs
• Antonio Musso, ITALBRASS Group
• Kory Nelson, Premier Decorative Group
• Betsy O'Day, Nostalgic Warehouse
• Ryan Reidel, Mountain Plumbing Products
• Stephan Roy, SH - Showroom Design Build
• Debby Stehr, Stehr Enterprise
• Vik Szemerei, ROHL LLC
• Michele Thornton, Berenson & R Christensen Hardware
• Harris Wattles, AMBA Products
• Kymberly Weiner, Best Plumbing Tile & Stone

Thank you so much to everyone on the Marketing Committee for your service and contributions to not only DPHA, but the industry as a whole.

Next week we will feature the Program & Showcase Committee, but if you are interested in serving on any of our committees (Awards, Education, Marketing or Program & Showcase), please contact Rebekah Covay. And don't worry about signing up but not being able to make all of the committee conference calls - attendance is mandatory for staff only (Rebekah Covay and JIm Babbitt) - we are a volunteer association, after all. Here's your chance to not only network with more industry professionals, but help to make a difference!

Oooops!!! Our apologies to Jeremy Brown of ACO Inc., who was unintentionally omitted from last week's listing of the Education Committee members.

DPHA's 2019 Faces-of-Our-Future Recognition Program

In keeping with the tradition of the past few year's 17-in-17 program and Faces-or-Our-Future program, DPHA is proud to announce the continuation of our Faces-of-Our-Future Program in 2019, designed to recognize the up-and-coming influencers in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program focuses on profiling individuals with 10 or less years of experience amongst all our membership base of dealers, manufacturers and independent sales agents. Each month from May through October 2019, two or three members will be inducted into the Faces-of-Our-Future 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 Rebekah Covay at rebekah@dpha.net or fax it to 630-618-3801. 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?

Going to KBIS 2019 Next Week? Make Sure Your Tour Includes DPHA Member Exhibitors

If you are going to KBIS next week, February 19-21, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, please make sure that your tour of the exhibit concourse includes the following DPHA members:



• ACO Shower Drain - SL3848
• AMBA Products - C9522
• American Standard - N3004
• AXOR - N3263
• Belwith-Keeler - N2171
• Berenson Corp. - N2277
• Brizo - N2332
• Danze - N3151
• Delta Faucet Company - N1933
• DXV - N3004
• Easy Drain USA - SL3971
• ELKAY - N3026
• Fairmont Designs - N1971
• Fleurco Products - SL737
• Franke Kitchen Systems - N2163
• GROHE - N3004
• Hansgrohe - N3263
• Hardware Resources - N2763
• Hastings Tile & Bath, Inc. - BL20024
• Infinity Drain - SL4001
• Kraus USA - SL1425, N2759
• LIXIL Water Technology - N3004
• Mila International - SL3460
• Nantucket Sinks - BL20019
• Native Trails - BL20015
• Nostalgic Warehouse/Grandeur Hardware (IBS) - SU3033
• OMNIA Industries - SL1042
• Pentair Everpure - SL1048
• Perrin & Rowe - N2719
• Professional Home Supply - SL4611
• QM Drain - SL1643
• Riobel - N2719
• Robern - N2104
• ROHL - N2719
• Shaws - N2719
• ShowroomMarketing.com - BL50022
• The House of ROHL - N2719
• Top Knobs - N2763
• TOTO - N2639

App of the Issue: DuckDuckGo (Thanks, Sarah Jenkinson)

Regularly, DPHA will highlight applications that can make your job and life easier. If you have an app that you particularly enjoy and that you believe could benefit your fellow DPHA members, please forward the information to Jim Babbitt at jbabbitt@dpha.net.

   

DuckDuckGo is an Internet search engine that emphasizes protecting searchers' privacy and avoiding the filter bubble of personalized search results. DuckDuckGo distinguishes itself from other search engines by not profiling its users and by showing all users the same search results for a given search term, and emphasizes returning the best results, rather than the most results, generating those results from over 400 individual sources, including crowdsourced sites such as Wikipedia, and other search engines like Bing, Yahoo!, and Yandex. In January 2019, it had 34,372,352 daily direct searches on average.

A Special Thank You to Our Education Committee

A few weeks ago we mentioned that we often take the time to thank the association's officers and our Board of Directors for everything they do, but forget to thank those persons who really make things happen for DPHA - our committees and their chairpersons. The committees are the ones where truly, "the rubber meets the road" - they do the real work that makes our association grow, refine current programs and develop new ones that help deliver more ROI to our membership. These committees meet by conference call monthly (usually lasting 30 to 60 minutes in length) and in reality, help drive the success of DPHA. So now, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge all those folks who work so diligently, and usually without any fanfare or praise, on our Education Committee.

• Education Committee - meets the second Monday of every month at 4 p.m. eastern time
• Co-Chairpersons: 
• Kelly DeSola (Watermark Designs)
• Fred Felder (Simon's SupplyTCB Sales)
• Committee Members:
• Daniela Abel, Miller's Elegant Hardware
• Ada Aldana, Designer's Plumbing & Hardware
• Alan Bleecker, Capitol Hardware
• Kate Brady, General Plumbing Supply
• Tony Carter, Carter Hardware
• Emma Coward, ProSource, LLC
• David Crossley, Baci by Remcraft/Colonial Bronze/Lisa Jarvis Jewlery
• Bobby Dean, ACS Marketing
• Philipe Filion, Baril
• Kimberly Frechette, Americh
• Jeff Graveline, Accurate Lock & Hardware
• Cary Hergenrother, Hastings Tile & Bath
• Marilyn Hermance, Westheimer Plumbing & Hardware
• Jaliene Hollabaugh, Hollabaugh Brothers & Associates
• Phil Hotarek, Lutz Bath & Kitchen
• Chuck Johnson, The Furniture Guild
• Darryl Jones, QuickDrain USA
• Rafael Lopez-Morton, RL Morton Bath Design, LLC
• Lacy Martinez, LIXIL Brands
• John Matlack, Level 5 Sales & Marketing
• Faye Norton, (Council of Fellows)
• Charles Oliver, Consolidated Plumbing Supply
• Andrea Pompei, Pinnacle Sales Group
• Kaye Powell (Council of Fellows)
• Susan Sidney, Simon's Supply
• Debby Stehr, Stehr Enterprise

Thank you so much to everyone on the Education Committee for your service and contributions to not only DPHA, but the industry as a whole.

Next week we will feature the Marketing Committee, but if you are interested in serving on any of our committees (Awards, Education, Marketing or Program & Showcase), please contact Rebekah Covay. And don't worry about signing up but not being able to make all of the committee conference calls - attendance is mandatory for staff only (Rebekah Covay and JIm Babbitt) - we are a volunteer association, after all. Here's your chance to not only network with more industry professionals, but help to make a difference!

Mark Your 2019 Calendars Now for the 18th Annual DPHA and Product Showcase

The 2019 Annual DPHA Conference will be held at the brand new Hyatt Regency Seattle November 7-10, 2019. Recently opened as the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest and brimming with amenities, the Hyatt Regency sets the stage for a visit you won't soon forget. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Seattle, within a mile of the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pike Place Market and so much more.

There are 1,260 rooms and more than 30 suites that include floor-to-ceiling windows, artwork from local artists and complimentary guest WiFi. With over 103,000 square feet of meeting space, it's a first-class space in every way except the room price. DPHA members will enjoy a $199 per night (plus tax) rate during the DPHA Conference. 

The Program and Showcase Committee, under the astute leadership of Richard Campbell (Belmont Hardware) and Kim Killgore (The Rain Company), are working on once again offering dynamic programs and top-notch speakers who will present customized presentations to meet the specific needs of decorative plumbing and hardware dealers, manufacturers and representatives. Need a refresher? Click on the following link to view the presentations from our 2018 speakers at the annual conference:

https://www.dpha.net/member-portal/member-resources/train-the-team/2018-conference-videos/

The DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase has reclaimed its spot as the most important event of the year for the decorative plumbing and hardware industry. We will continually update the website as we obtain additional details, so please keep checking back there for more information.

Going to KBIS 2019 in a Few More Weeks? Make Sure Your Tour Includes DPHA Member Exhibitors

If you are going to KBIS in a few more weeks, February 19-21, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, please make sure that your tour of the exhibit concourse includes the following DPHA members:



• ACO Shower Drain - SL3848
• AMBA Products - C9522
• American Standard - N3004
• AXOR - N3263
• Belwith-Keeler - N2171
• Berenson Corp. - N2277
• Brizo - N2332
• Danze - N3151
• Delta Faucet Company - N1933
• DXV - N3004
• Easy Drain USA - SL3971
• ELKAY - N3026
• Fairmont Designs - N1971
• Fleurco Products - SL737
• Franke Kitchen Systems - N2163
• GROHE - N3004
• Hansgrohe - N3263
• Hardware Resources - N2763
• Hastings Tile & Bath, Inc. - BL20024
• Infinity Drain - SL4001
• Kraus USA - SL1425, N2759
• LIXIL Water Technology - N3004
• Mila International - SL3460
• Nantucket Sinks - BL20019
• Native Trails - BL20015
• OMNIA Industries - SL1042
• Pentair Everpure - SL1048
• Perrin & Rowe - N2719
• Professional Home Supply - SL4611
• QM Drain - SL1643
• Riobel - N2719
• Robern - N2104
• ROHL - N2719
• Shaws - N2719
• ShowroomMarketing.com - BL50022
• The House of ROHL - N2719
• Top Knobs - N2763
• TOTO - N2639

App of the Issue: CamSanner (Thanks, Jeff Valles)

Regularly, DPHA will highlight applications that can make your job and life easier. If you have an app that you particularly enjoy and that you believe could benefit your fellow DPHA members, please forward the information to Jim Babbitt at jbabbitt@dpha.net.

   

Making scans is essential for business and personal use. But even if you have a computer, a printer or scanner, you can’t always take them with you. That’s why when you’re on the road, CamScanner will be the most used and valued app.

Are you tired of taking too dark and illegible photos of documents to send them? Then you should try CamScanner, which is far superior and immediately takes high-resolution scans.

This app is a highly accessible and efficient document, receipt, and draft scanner. It will impress you with its simplicity of usage and carefulness. Whether you would like to use it at work or only for personal use, it’s an essential app to download on your device.