The DPHA 2019 Annual Conference Isn't Just About Education - There's Networking and Fun Too!

In about 10 weeks, DPHA members will congregate at the Hyatt Regency Seattle in Seattle, WA for the 2019 DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase. If you haven't registered yet, simply click here to download the conference prospectus, which includes the conference registration form on page 9.

There is outstanding educational content offered to attendees each year, but as those who have attended many of our past conferences will tell you, just because you're at our conference doesn't mean you can't have fun!

Several of the Fun Things to Do at the DPHA Annual Conference:

DPHA Fishing Trip: On Wednesday, November 6th, Amerec is sponsoring a half-day fishing expedition on the beautiful Puget Sound. DPHA members will have an opportunity for salt water trolling, drifting and bottom fishing. The target of our efforts? Salmon, of course. There is room for up to 18 participants on three 28’ boats. The cost is $150/angler.

Council of Fellows’ Seattle Booze & Bites Tour: See what the buzz is all about! Sponsored by Barber Wilsons/Sterlingham and Baci by Remcraft, the group will depart from the lobby at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6th. Join fellow DPHA members on a progressive jaunt through five of

Seattle’s best bars and locals’ secret hang-outs. Including appetizers and tasty cocktails, this is a roving Happy Hour with like-minded DPHA members. Learn about Seattle’s cocktail history, visit a bar that was once a speakeasy and brothel and learn how tastes have changed over the years.

Walk on the cobblestone road of the Pike Place Market as you make your way to the next tasty location. Cut loose, mix n’ mingle, and enjoy tasty finger foods paired with superbly crafted cocktails. Come hungry and be ready for fun! Email rebekah@dpha.net if you would like to participate. The cost is $125 per person, with all proceeds being contributed to the Council of Fellows Scholarship Fund.

Opening Reception: On Friday, November 8, DPHA members will gather in the Product Showcase for our opening night reception, sponsored by Hamat USA and ICERA, who will both feature Ice Luge scultpures (with drinks) at their booths. The other bar drinks will flow from a host bar sponsored by Frank Allart & Company, Kartners' Bathroom Accessories and Lenova, and we will munch on tantalizing hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. The reception provides a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new ones and see the latest and greatest in new and innovative products.

Closing Banquet: We close our conference in style, Saturday November 9. A gourmet feast, sponsored by Mountain Plumbing Products, is planned followed by music and dancing, and again drinks will flow from the bars.

Bar Time: The Hyatt Regency Seattle's bar will be hopping after the conference programs are over. DPHA members usually congregate there to discuss their businesses, what's working, what's not and what others are doing. There simply is no better networking opportunity in our business. 

Saturday Morning's Product Showcase - Anyone Can Come So Please, Be Our Guest!

Want to have your showroom staff take advantage of the opportunity to see the latest products in our industry? Any member or non-member can attend the Product Showcase on Saturday, November 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at no charge. However, if you want members of your team to come, they still need to preregister by sending Rebekah Covay an email at rebekah@dpha.net letting her know they want to attend that session. Remember, no one can access the Product Showcase without a DPHA name badge. The following is the list of companies exhibiting at the Conference:

• Accurate Lock and Hardware - 412
• ACO Inc. - 311
• AD Waters USA - 502
• AMBA Products - 408
• Amerec - 204
• Americh Corporation - 400
• Baci by Remcraft - 405
• BainUltra - 311 and 313
• Barber Wilson/Sterlingham - 211 and L308
• Baril - 208
• Belwith Products - 504
• Berenson & R. Christensen - 301
• Blanco America - 304
• Bocchi USA - 512
• Bravo Business Media - 303
• California Faucets - 305
• CEU Events - 402
• Colonial Bronze - 611
• Danze by Gerber - 101
• DDI Systems - 503
• DPHA - 403
• Fairmont Designs - 501
• First Impressions International - 100
• Franz Viegener - 604
• Hamat USA - 106
• hansgrohe/AXOR - 401
• House of Rohl - 509
• Hydro Systems - 209
• Icera - 607
• in2aqua GmbH - 410
• Infinity Drain - 505
• Jaclo Industries - 404
• Julien, Inc. - 409
• Kartners Bathroom Accessories - 405
• KEUCO Management - 309
• Laufen - 312
• Lenova - 201
• Lisa Jarvis Jewelry for the Bath - 613
• LIXIL Brands - 212
• Mila International - 102
• Mountain Plumbing Products - 205
• MrSteam - 300
• Nantucket Sinks - 313
• Nikles USA - 500
• Nostalgic Warehouse - 213
• Oceania Bath - 200
• OMNIA Industries - 600
• QM Drain - 513
• QTOO - 310
• SH – Showroom Design Build - 302
• ShowroomMarketing.com - 608
• ThermaSol - 508
• Unik Stone - 105
• Waterstone Faucets - 203
• Zitta - 109

Manufacturers and others interested in displaying this year at the DPHA Product Showcase should contact Executive Director Rebekah Covay as soon as possible at 630-854-3911 or email her at rebekah@dpha.net. Do so now, because as you can see, there are only a few spaces left and time is running out!

DPHA Members' Blog - August 30, 2019

Each week DPHA publishes a new post to our Members' Blog. This blog is available to DPHA members only. As a DPHA member you may use this content as your own in any of your marketing efforts, including your website, emails, newsletters and more. Use images of spaces you've designed to accompany content and insert your market territory, showroom name and contact information as applicable.

Getting the Most From Your Bathroom Remodeling Dollars

We design and specify bathrooms in (name of service territory) ranging in price from several thousand dollars to more than $100,000.  We can work with almost any realistic budget to create a dream bath.  The following suggestions will help you maximize the value of your renovation dollars and help assure you get the return that you expect and deserve.

Click here to access the blog,

 

Don't Be a Procrastinator and Save Money at the Same Time - Register for the DPHA Conference by October 8th

We recognize that many DPHA members are procrastinators. Well, guess what? Although it hasn't arrived yet, the last minute is only six weeks away! Tuesday, October 8th is the last day to register for the 2019 DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase at the discounted rate. Member registration fees increase from $825 per person to $925 per person on October 9. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Click here to download the Conference Prospectus and Registration Form or call DPHA at 888-871-6520 to reserve your spot at the November 7-10, 2019 conference being held at the Hyatt Regency Seattle in Seattle, WA.

 

Remember, DPHA showroom customers expect you to have your fingers on the pulse of our industry, and our educational programs certainly help you do that. Need a refresher? Click on the following links to see quick video recaps/teasers from some of last year's speakers at our annual conference:

• Avish Parashar - When Ding Happens
• Ty Bennett - Partnership is the New Leadership

Click here to read more.

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: Kaye Powell

DPHA created the Council of Fellows to recognize career accomplishments. In keeping with DPHA’s tradition of innovation and defying convention, election to DPHA’s Council of Fellows is not simply an honor. It also is a call to continue to serve our organization and industry. The Council of Fellows does not have an agenda or mandate. The Council is expected to undertake projects that it deems important and vital to the continued success of our industry. As DPHA has matured, the organization continues to look to the Council of Fellows as a strategic think tank.

This week we feature Kaye Powell...

In 1988, Kaye Powell accepted the outside sales position for Chown Hardware, selling commercial hardware to schools, facilities, hospitals, etc. She found out she really liked it. Two years later Eleanor Chown asked Kaye to take over the Residential Division of the company, which was called the Showcase at the time. Mrs. Chown was retiring, and residential sales were less than 10% of the company's business. The showroom was small with few product offerings. There were a handful of faucet lines, batch accessories, a cabinet hardware line and tools sold in the showroom as well as Baldwin, Jado and Schlage door hardware displays. The diminutive size of the showroom did not allow for many other products.

In 1999, the company determined that tools offered very low profit margins, and that they should refocus on selling residential hardware and plumbing since profit margins were substantially higher. This was the impetus needed to create Chown Hardware's decorative showroom. Today, residential sales comprises almost 50% of Chown’s business volume.

To accomplish this growth takes more than just creating a nice showroom. Chown Hardware encouraged Kaye to join NKBA. She read anything she could get her hands on regarding our industry and went to every DPH meeting at KBIS. She learned from people she met there, and still considers many of them to be her mentors, including Marilyn Hermance, Faye Norton, Jeff Burton and the Charlie Goldberg, to mention a few. Kaye also participated in NKBA local chapter events, served on committees and became the chapter’s vice president of programs. She joined the local NARI chapter and served as president of the Portland chapter and vice president of the Oregon State chapter.

Kaye and Chown Hardware joined DPHA as charter members and served on the Education Committee for several years, including presenting a seminar on door hardware as well as well as writing several educational pieces for DPHA. She has also served on the Forte Board of Directors for a two-year term as its Secretary. She is a passionate supporter of not only DPHA, but also the industry as a whole.

DPHA Professional Development Training Program - Invest in Your Future!

Back for it's third year at Conference, Professional Development Training lets you bring multiple members of your sales team as first-time attendees for only $245 per person! Have your team participate in a custom sales training session developed specifically for industry professionals by Teresa Allen, a recognized customer service leader and author. For those who participated in the Professional Development Training Program previously, they may once again participate in the program at a reduced rate of $395. The Professional Development Training Program is a combination of both classroom learning and a round-table where your team can learn successful sales practices from peers across North America.

Details:

• Attendance is limited to individuals to offer a more "sales intensive" focus.
• Cost to attend is $245 for first-time attendees, and $395 for second- or third-time attendees (spots are filling quickly)
• The special $245 and $395 rate only applies to those who have someone else from their company attending the conference on a full conference fee.

Training Schedule:

• Friday, November 8, 5 to 7:30 p.m - Cocktail Party in Showcase
• Saturday, November 9
• 8 to 11:45 a.m. - Breakfast & Showcase Networking
• 12 to 1:30 p.m. - Annual Awards Luncheon
• 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. - Teresa Allen Training Session
• 6 to 10:00 p.m. - Closing Gala and Casino Night

Register online by CLICKING HERE.

Download your full conference brochure by CLICKING HERE.

The 2019 DPHA Professional Development Training Program - An Offer You Really Can't Refuse!

The Program and Showcase Committee, under the leadership of Richard Campbell (Belmont Hardware) and Kim Killgore (The Rain Company), once again will provide our 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 attendees to the 2019 DPHA Annual Conference for only $245 per person and have them participate in a custom sales training session developed specifically for showroom professionals by Teresa Allen, a recognized customer service leader and author. And for those who participated in the Professional Development Training Program (formerly known as the Sales Track Training Program) at either of the last two years' conferences, they may once again participate in the program at a reduced rate of $395. The Professional Development Training Program is a combination of both classroom learning and a round-table workshop where your team can learn successful sales and showroom practices from peers across North America.

The details:

• Attendance is limited to individuals who have never attended, or only attended once or twice, the DPHA conference previously, and offers a more "sales intensive" focus.
• Cost to attend is $245 per person for first-time attendees, and $395 per second- or third-time attendees (spots are filling quickly - there are a limited amount of seats remaining)
• The special $245 and $395 rate for a participant in the sales training program is only available to those who have someone else from their company attending the conference on a full conference fee.

The special $245 and $395 rate covers admittance to the conference for the following events:

• Friday, November 8, 5 to 7:30 p.m - Cocktail Reception in the Product Showcase
• Saturday, November 9
• 8 to 9 a.m. - Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
• 8 to 11:45 a.m. - Product Showcase
• 12 to 1:30 p.m. - Awards Luncheon
• 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. - Teresa Allen Breakout Session
• 6 to 10:00 p.m. - Closing Banquet and Casino Night

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.

The Annual Conference and Product Showcase is a great opportunity to not only get your staff more involved with the association and our networking, but to have them exposed to roughly seventy members exhibiting at the Product Showcase and their new cutting-edge product offerings. Here is the chance for your sales personnel to build even better relationships at the conference with those manufacturers usually seen only when they visit your showroom, which can only be better for your business while at the same time increasing their personal feeling of involvement with your business. 

How can you take advantage of 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.

DPHA Members' Blog - August 23, 2019

Each week DPHA publishes a new post to our Members' Blog. This blog is available to DPHA members only. As a DPHA member you may use this content as your own in any of your marketing efforts, including your website, emails, newsletters and more. Use images of spaces you've designed to accompany content and insert your market territory, showroom name and contact information as applicable.

What's Trending in Baths Right Now

White continues to be the dominant color in bath cabinetry, but other colors are making inroads.  Our showroom clients in (name of service territory) most recently have been making personal design statements by selecting painted cabinets in rich calming colors such as shades of blue and gray and green.  

A well-designed bathroom is an organized bathroom.  Manufacturers have upped the ante with creative and practical organizational tools such as built-in organizers in drawers to hold hair dryers, toiletries, cosmetics, medicines, brushes, etc.  These new organizational accessories provide our clients in (name of service territory) with the tools needed to have clean lines and a modern aesthetic.

Click here to access the blog.

 

Did You Know That DPHA Recruiting Efforts are Worth More Than Just Our Thanks?

Did you know that there is a program that rewards you for bringing new members to DPHA? The DPHA Marketing Committee continues to make it worth your while to recruit new members for our association. Just have any new member list you or your company on the "Referred to DPHA by" line on any of our membership applications, and you will receive credit for that new member joining or rejoining our association.

The incentive program is simple and straight-forward. Modeled after frequent flyer programs, DPHA awards recruiter credits for every new member who joins or rejoins our association. There is no time limit or expiration on these recruiter credits, and they can be "cashed in" at any time for the following items:

 

• 1 recruiter credit: $25 certificate
• 3 recruiter credits: Dinner on DPHA up to $100
• 5 recruiter credits: Dues for a year
• 10 recruiter credits: Free conference attendance

These recruiter credits have been tracked since January 1, 2014, so if you believe you may already have some credits to your name, contact Jim Babbitt at 224-999-0434 or via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net. He will be happy to check his list for you. And thanks for continuing to spread the good word about our association!

Did You Know You Can See 2016, 2017 and 2018 Conference Speaker Videos on Our Website?

Talking about the Annual Conference and Product Showcase, did you know that DPHA provides members with full speaker videos from the past 2016, 2017 and 2018 conferences? Just follow the path on the members portal side of the website "Member Resources > Resources to Train Your Team" and click on the 2016 Conference Videos, 2017 Conference Videos and/or 2018 Conference Videos links. The cost for DPHA members? Nada, zilch, nothing. It's another benefit of membership. And if you want to view these videos but have forgotten your login credentials to the members portal, email Rebekah Covay at rebekah@dpha.net. 

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: Jon Spector

DPHA created the Council of Fellows to recognize career accomplishments. In keeping with DPHA’s tradition of innovation and defying convention, election to DPHA’s Council of Fellows is not simply an honor. It also is a call to continue to serve our organization and industry. The Council of Fellows does not have an agenda or mandate. The Council is expected to undertake projects that it deems important and vital to the continued success of our industry. As DPHA has matured, the organization continues to look to the Council of Fellows as a strategic think tank.

This week we feature Jon Spector...

Jon Spector has been in the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware industry virtually all of his adult life, and has truly been a "man for all seasons" since his career has seen him be all 3 of our major membership segments - a dealer, a rep and a manufacturer. Jon started in this industry working as the warehouse manager at Brickman's in the Boston area, and over the course of his 5 years there, served several different roles ending with his appointment as showroom manager.

Jon then started his own rep firm, Jon Spector & Associates, in 1985, and covered the New York metro, Mid-Atlantic and New England areas. Jon's vision of a decorative industry was certainly evident at this point in his career, since he chose to handle and pioneer new, high-end lines that were virtually unheard of at that time; lines such as Alape, Bette, Dornbracht, HEWI and Valli & Valli. He also served on the representative council for Santile, the US distributor for Dornbracht at that time. When it was virtually unheard of for someone to represent lines other than commodity lines, Jon took the plunge.

Then in 1997, Jon became the CEO and President of Dornbracht Americas, where he remained for the next 14 years. Jon led that company in developing successful training and education programs and the implementation of several defined strategies. Among these strategies was Dornbracht's URAPP (Unilateral Resale and Advertising Pricing Policy), which not only stabilized a dealer's margins, but clearly defined any exceptions to the established URAPP program. At a time when other manufacturers claimed they couldn't do anything about enforcing rampant discounting among the dealer network, Jon and the folks at Dornbracht said "yes we can". In no small part, Jon's visionary thinking not only advanced Dornbracht Americas positioning in the marketplace, but helped reshape the thinking of other manufacturers who now more actively support the brick-and-mortar showroom.

Jon has served as the Strategic Board Chairman for Dornbracht Americas, overseeing sales, budgets and brand development, and has also served from 2009 to 2013 on the DPHA Board of Directors, sharing his invaluable experience to improve the industry.

There's No Debate About This Slate

The DPHA Nominating Committee has developed the following proposed slate of Officers and Directors for 2020 and 2021. Each member will be emailed a proxy ballot in the next few weeks that will be sent to the company's designated primary contact. When you receive it, please complete and return your proxy ballot to DPHA via fax at 630-618-3801 or email at rebekah@dpha.net by Monday, October 7.

Members are encouraged to return their proxy ballot even if they plan on attending the 2019 DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase, November 7-10 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle in Seattle, WA. Members who want their proxy ballots returned at that time will be able to obtain a copy from a member of DPHA staff.

Voting for Association leaders is one of the most important functions you do for your Association. We have always been very fortunate in having a strong, dedicated and knowledgeable Board of Directors. Your vote will help ensure that it remains that way. 

The Nominating Committee's proposed slate of Officers and Directors to serve on the 2020/2021 Board of Directors is as follows:  

 

Officers: 

• Ryan Paul (Summit Architectural Resources) - President (the 2019 President-Elect automatically becomes the President)
• Gary Erickson (Renaissance Design Studio) - Immediate Past President (the 2019 President automatically becomes the Immediate Past President)
• Michael Pechar (MDP Group) - President-Elect
• Phil Hotarek (Lutz Bath & Kitchen) - Secretary
• Nat Mucha (Fairmont Designs) - Treasurer

Directors: 

• Oliver Bleich (KEUCO)
• Kate Brady (General Plumbing Supply)
• Robert Calabrese (Oceania Baths)
• Richard Campbell (Belmont Hardware)
• Cynthia Carter (Next Generation Marketing)
• David Crossley (Baci by Remcraft/Colonial Bronze/Lisa Jarvis Jewelry for the Bath)
• Traci D'Antoni (D'Antoni Sales Group)
• Rene DeRose (Hydro Systems)
• Kimberly Frechette (Americh Corporation)
• Anthony Hajjar (JACLO Industries)
• Kim Killgore (The Rain Company)
• Martin Siwy (CEU Events)
• John Smithman (The Plumbing Place)
• Debby Stehr (Stehr Enterprises)
• Patrick Weidl (Thermasol)
• Steve Weinberg (California Faucet)

DPHA Members' Blog - August 16, 2019

DPHA Members' Blog - August 16, 2019

Each week DPHA publishes a new post to our Members' Blog. This blog is available to DPHA members only. As a DPHA member you may use this content as your own in any of your marketing efforts, including your website, emails, newsletters and more. Use images of spaces you've designed to accompany content and insert your market territory, showroom name and contact information as applicable.

The Home of the Future

Technology continues to change how we live and the dynamics of the home. Smart thermostats, door bells, lighting, appliances, faucets, shower systems, steam systems and digital assistants are increasingly making inroads into the (insert name of service territory) area homes that our showroom serves. The “smart” home may make everyday life easier and more efficient, but a recent study finds that increased technology does not necessarily translate to increased happiness. For the past five years, furniture maker IKEA has surveyed its customers to better understand how people relate to the places where they live, and the latest report finds that life at home is undergoing a transformation.

Click here to access the blog.

 

We Still Have a Few Spots Open for a Once-a-Year Opportunity You Don't Want to Miss

Do you want to end your year with a bang? Want to make a lasting impact with our current and many new members? 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 are among the best showrooms in North America. Plan to exhibit at the 2019 DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase, November 7-10, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle in Seattle, WA.

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 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 hotel 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 $199 per night plus tax.

Most of the space has already being reserved, but you still have a chance to join these other members who will be promoting their products and services in Seattle, WA (as of Thursday evening, August 15):

• Accurate Lock and Hardware - 412
• ACO Inc. - 311
• AMBA Products - 408
• Amerec - 204
• Americh Corporation - 400
• Baci by Remcraft - 405
• BainUltra - 311 and 313
• Barber Wilson/Sterlingham - 308
• Baril - 208
• Belwith Products - 504
• Berenson & R. Christensen - 301
• Blanco America - 304
• Bocchi USA - 512
• Bravo Business Media - 303
• California Faucets - 305
• CEU Events - 402
• Colonial Bronze - 611
• Danze by Gerber - 101
• DDI Systems - 503
• DPHA - 403
• Fairmont Designs - 501
• First Impressions International - 100
• Franz Viegener - 604
• Hamat USA - 106
• hansgrohe/AXOR - 401
• House of Rohl - 509
• Hydro Systems - 209
• Icera - 607
• in2aqua GmbH - 410
• Infinity Drain - 505
• Jaclo Industries - 404
• Julien, Inc. - 409
• Kartners Bathroom Accessories - 405
• KEUCO Management - 309
• Laufen - 312
• Lenova - 201
• LIXIL Brands - 212
• Mila International - 102
• Mountain Plumbing Products - 205
• MrSteam - 300
• Nantucket Sinks - 313
• Nikles USA - 500
• Nostalgic Warehouse - 213
• Oceania Bath - 200
• OMNIA Industries - 600
• QM Drain - 513
• QTOO - 310
• SH – Showroom Design Build - 302
• ShowroomMarketing.com - 608
• ThermaSol - 508
• Unik Stone - 105
• Waterstone Faucets - 203
• Zitta - 109

Manufacturers and others interested in displaying this year at the DPHA Product Showcase should contact Rebekah Covay at 630-854-3911 or email her at rebekah@dpha.net. Remember, if you don't exhibit, you can't promote your products or services on or anywhere near the show floor.

I'll Gladly Pay You Tuesday for a Hamburger Today (aka, Register Now, Pay Later)

For those of you too young to remember this quote, it is from the cartoon "Popeye the Sailor Man." The character Wimpy would often utter this phrase. He consumed an extraordinary amount of hamburgers daily, but somehow never had the money to pay for them. He almost always had to convince someone to front him the cash to be repaid later. Similar to Wimpy, we understand the importance of cash flow. That's why we are making it easier for DPHA members to reserve for the November 7-10 DPHA Annual Conference. If you reserve today, we won't process your payment until October 8. That's the day before registration fees increase from $825 to $925 per person. Click here for your registration form, or follow the path "Calendar of Events > About the Conference" and scroll down the page to register on the members portal side of www.dpha.net. Then once you have registered, simply send an email to Rebekah Covay letting her know you wish to have your payment processed on October 8th.

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: Barry Goldberg

DPHA created the Council of Fellows to recognize career accomplishments. In keeping with DPHA’s tradition of innovation and defying convention, election to DPHA’s Council of Fellows is not simply an honor. It also is a call to continue to serve our organization and industry. The Council of Fellows does not have an agenda or mandate. The Council is expected to undertake projects that it deems important and vital to the continued success of our industry. As DPHA has matured, the organization continues to look to the Council of Fellows as a strategic think tank.

This week we feature Barry Goldberg...

Barry Goldberg is the founding father of DPHA. It was his vision, drive and passion that resulted in the establishment of the organization in 2002. Barry served on the organizing Committee, agreed to be a founding sponsor and along with his brother David, developed DPHA’s first web site and guided its evolution to continually provide additional benefits and recognition to DPHA and its members.

Barry served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee during DPHA’s formative years and eventually served as DPHA President in 2010. DPHA was Barry’s baby and like any good parent, he gave it the love, attention and dedication that enabled DPHA to become the leading trade association for decorative plumbing and hardware professionals throughout North America.

Rebekah Covay Appointed DPHA's New Executive Director

DPHA is pleased to announce that Rebekah Covay has been named the Association’s new Executive Director succeeding Jim Babbitt, who will be retiring immediately following this year's annual conference. Rebekah’s appointment has the unanimous support of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors due to her track record of performance serving the Association for the past four years.  

It would be hard to find someone with a more diverse 20-year experience in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry. With her design degree in hand, Rebekah began as a sales professional at a Chicagoland decorative showroom until she joined forces with Mr. Babbitt and his team as an independent manufacturer representative for Howell/Babbitt Sales and later on, Hot2Cold. Rebekah also added a few years to gain perspective as a factory representative for Phylrich covering the southwest territory. She has had the unique experience of having been a member of the Association as a dealer, manufacturer and representative, which enables her to truly look at things from many differing angles.

In 2014, Rebekah joined Cohn Communications - assisting in running Forte Buying Group, Ammara Designs, BKBG and DPHA, where she performed a plethora of functions, and was the primary reason that those group's annual conferences were continually so successful. And for the past two years, Rebekah has served as DPHA's Assistant Director.

Rebekah is also the mother of three growing boys, which not only serves as a testament to her stamina and patience, but proves her ability to multi-task.

Rebekah brings a wealth of experience to the Association, not to mention the fact that anyone who has met or talked with Rebekah will tell you she just so happens to be one of the nicest people you will ever meet. 



Please join us in congratulating Rebekah for a position well-earned and well deserved.