It's a long, long way to Tipperary!

This is harder than I ever imagined and it really is rather ironic, but after seven years of publishing Connections, it seems that this final article has been incredibly difficult for me to compose. No, this isn’t the last issue of Connections our readers will be seeing, but it is the last issue that I will be sending out as editor-in-chief, since yours truly (Jim Babbitt) will be retiring effective this coming Tuesday, October 1st. And for those many of you who know me by now, I am confident you have no problem at all imagining how choked up I am as I write this. 

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as DPHA’s Executive Director for the past 7 years, but it is time for younger and more energetic people to help take the Association to the next level, and I am extremely confident that this will certainly be the case with Rebekah Covay (Executive Director) and Kymberly Weiner (Director of Marketing and Sales) helping the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors steer the course.

Since joining the Board of Directors during their first meeting in February 2002, you have all been my second family, and the Association has been, and remains, one of my great passions. I am hesitant to try thanking individuals, because I don’t want to leave anyone out. However, there are several people who I absolutely have to mention here because your constant support has been essential to my seven years in this position.

To my loving wife, Michele, and my kids (Sarah and Juan, Samantha and Tristan, Andy and Alison, and Anita and Cameron) - I cannot even begin to thank you all for your love and support. And keep those grandchildren coming - Grandpa will have a lot more time to spend on his free babysitting service in a few more days. 

To the folks at Cohn Communications - thank you so much for being such a great team! Lord knows you all made my job so much easier than it should have been. Tom Cohn, thanks for being such a great boss. We had our disagreements from time to time, but you always listened and never once told me it had to be your way. And you encouraged me to do my job as the Executive Committee and the Board wanted me to do it. And to Rebekah Covay, you rock and I have loved every minute that I have worked with you over these past many years.

To the Association Presidents I worked with during my seven years as ED, Sarah Jenkinson, Kate Brady, Cynthia Carter and Gary Erickson - mere words cannot express how grateful I am for what you all have contributed to the success of DPHA, and you all will continue to hold a special place in my heart. And to Ryan Paul (the incoming President), just know how jealous I am that I will not be working with you as a staff member, but as a member of the Association you most definitely have my support.

To the Council of Fellows, Board of Directors, Committee Co-Chairpersons and Committee members (both now and in the past) - you are all truly the driving force of the Association, so please keep up the great work. And thanks to everyone for not only giving me the opportunity to work with you, but allowing me to voice my opinion from time to time not as staff, but as someone who loves the Association and has been there since its beginning.

Most importantly though, I want to thank each and every member of the Association for your enthusiastic support throughout the years. As I often relate when talking about how special DPHA is - people who participate in our annual conferences, especially first time attendees, often comment on the "sense of family" that pervades the Association. Although that seems to have always been the case, that sense of family was never more apparent to me than during 2018 when I had some rather “concerning” health issues. It was a tough year, but my DPHA family was always there for me, and I cannot begin to express my gratitude to all of you for your love and support. Whether it was a phone call, email or text message, it seemed that someone was contacting me almost every day - asking how I was doing, seeing if there was anything they could do for me or just trying to make sure I kept my spirits up. It is impossible to tell you how much this helped, but rest assured, it most certainly did.

So that’s it. Thanks for indulging me as I have tried to navigate my way through this final, and unexpectedly difficult, writing. As I said, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as your Executive Director for the past 7 years, and even though I won’t be around as part of the management team any more, I will once again be taking on one of my favorite roles - that of a DPHA member. Thanks for a great ride, everyone, and I hope to see you in Seattle!

Gratefully, Jim Babbitt

P.S. Going forward, if you want to contact me via email, feel free to use my personal email address of “james.j.babbitt@gmail.com”.

DPHA Members' Blog - September 27, 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.

How to Get the Luxury Look Without Spending a Fortune

Imagine how much more enjoyment you would get from your home if you could remodel your master bath? Picture yourself washing away the stresses of the day while sitting in your Bluetooth-controlled steam shower enjoying your favorite music and cleansing impurities from your body – that’s priceless!

Almost every prospective client (in name of service territory) asks how much it costs to remodel a bathroom. The answer is – it depends. There are numerous factors that affect a project's cost. Moving walls, electrical, plumbing and other infrastructure items will add to the price tag.

Click here to access the blog.

 

Perhaps You Don’t Want to Save Money? Discounted Room Rates End on October 6th, and Early Bird Registration Ends on October 8th, So Reserve and Register Now!

In case you haven't been paying attention (and why haven't you been?), DPHA members can now reserve hotel rooms for the November 7-10 Annual Conference and Product Showcase at the beautiful new Hyatt Regency Seattle in Seattle, WA. The rate is $199 per night plus tax, and if you reserve your room now, your credit card will not be billed yet for any portion of the stay, and you have up until 48 hours prior to the start of your stay to cancel your hotel room reservation without any penalty. Click here to reserve your room, but do so now, because the room block rate will be ending on October 6th.

Tuesday, October 8th is also 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, so 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.

It Must Be That Time of Year, Because They're At It Again - Did You Receive This Spam Email?

Well, those mystery emailers are at it again. If you or your staff received the above email this past week ago or so, please be advised it was not sent out by DPHA. On September 17th, DPHA Staff was notified of a spam email circulating through the inboxes of our clientele (again, thanks to those who let us know since our Apple computers automatically filed it in our Spam folders and therefore we never saw it originally). Please do not engage with those sending these emails to you. “Rachel”, Cindy" and any other emails from events-info.com or tradeshowreach.com (or other such unknown entities, for that matter) are not associated with your DPHA Staff in any way. In fact, registration is still ongoing for the annual conference, and the list of those currently registered for the conference is only distributed to those members who are exhibiting in our Product Showcase, and this is something that the Association does not (nor ever has) charged for.

The DPHA database, email accounts and contact lists have not been compromised, and again, rest assured that we do not sell your contact information to others in any form. Please contact Kymberly Weiner or Rebekah Covay with any questions or concerns you might have.

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: Jeff Valles

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 Jeff Valles ...

Jeff has spent his entire professional career in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry, a rarity for someone who is not associated with a family business. His name is well known in DPH circles. He started at Phylrich in 1979 and in a relatively short time became the company's senior vice president of marketing and sales. He was the face and driving force of Phylrich, which became known for quality products, limited distribution and customization capabilities. When Elkay Manufacturing purchased Phylrich in 2004, Jeff relocated to Chicago to become director of showroom merchandising where he was responsible for expanding faucetry to existing Elkay product portfolios and developing the marketing and operations to support the new offerings.

Jeff was also one of the dozen individuals that were tapped to attend an organizational meeting in December of 2001 to determine if creating a new organization dedicated exclusively to the decorative plumbing and hardware industry was viable. That meeting led to the creation of DPHA. In 2008, Jeff joined the DPHA management team as executive director and then accepted a similar role with the Forte Buying Group in 2010.

Jeff's service at DPHA resulted in record numbers of members and attendance at the DPHA annual conference. He pioneered new content, blogs, sales guidance and social media involvement. He was a sounding board for new ideas, always exploring and asking "what if", "why not" and "what's preventing us from moving forward". He was a go-to, highly sought after resource for manufacturers, dealers and representatives.

Jeff's involvement with Forte produced equally impressive results. At Forte, Jeff pioneered a private label fixture line and nearly doubled the sales volume of the group with fewer manufacturers than when he started and with the same number of Forte members.

Kymberly Weiner Named DPHA Director of Marketing and Sales

DPHA is delighted to announce that on September 10th, Kymberly Weiner was named the Association’s new Director of Marketing and Sales. Kymberly will be taking lead on the marketing of the Association, while also cultivating client relationships and national dealer growth.

Many of our readers are already familiar with Kymberly and her history in the industry, but for those of you that are not, what follows is a brief bio. Kymberly joined her family business, Best Plumbing Supply (New York City area), in 2006. Her key responsibilities included marketing, merchandising and sales management. She handled all marketing aspects, from advertising and public relations to corporate identity and internal communication. In her last two years at Best, she was responsible for the build out, opening and operation of the Kohler Experience Center in New York City.

Kymberly is recognized throughout the DPH industry for her work with organizations such as DPHA, ASA Women in Industry and Forte, and has sat on several large manufacturer advisory councils. She has a BA in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations from Colorado State University, as well as a Certificate in Residential Interior Decor from the Art Institute of Denver. Kymberly currently resides in New Orleans, LA and can be reached at 504.475.8111 or via email at kymberly@dpha.net.

DPHA Members' Blog - September 20, 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.

A Hot Trend in Bathroom Design: Industrial Chic

Industrial chic is one of the hottest trends in (name of service territory) bathroom design as we approach the end of 2019.  A good example of industrial look in the bathroom is Zitta’s Materia shower enclosure that was honored by the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association as its 2018 Fixture of the Year.  Inspired by the industrial look of the Roaring 1920's, this shower enclosure features unique matte black framed shower doors with black aluminum strips finished on both sides and sealed on the outside of the glass. We might pair this framed shower enclosure with ...

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 is conducting 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 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 Wednesday evening, September 18):

• Accurate Lock and Hardware - 412
• ACO Inc. - 311
• AD Waters - 502
• AMBA Products - 408
• Amerec - 204
• Americh Corporation - 400
• Amerock - 511
• Baci by Remcraft - 405
• BainUltra - 311 and 313
• Barber Wilson/Sterlingham - 211 and 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
• 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 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.

Although We Announced This Last Week, It Bears Repeating - DPHA Proudly Announces Its Partnership With CEU Events

Understanding that education is the key to success, DPHA is proud to announce its partnership with CEU Events. After extensive research, DPHA believes that CEU Events provides the best collaborative platform with which to manage and promote in-person Continuing Education programs.

DPHA and CEU Events partnered to bundle the power of the Association and deliver a package of multiple CEU courses to DPHA members for a fraction of the cost of a single course.

CEU Events will license their existing CEU courses ‘Bath Innovations 1.0’, ‘Kitchen Innovations 1.0’ and ‘Does Internet Price Outweigh Industry Expertise and Knowledge’ to DPHA and will also develop two more courses for the Association within the next year.

Reaching the A+D community is one of the key motivators for DPHA, and the ability to provide in-person CEUs is one of the major advantages of this program. 

If you are a manufacturer, showroom or representative professional seeking more accredited CEU courses to present in front of the trade professionals and you would like to sign up, please click here.

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: Sarah Jenkinson

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 Sarah Jenkinson ...

Sarah Jenkinson started her decorative plumbing and hardware career in 1991 at Architectural Details, a retail plumbing fixtures showroom. In 2003 she started her own distribution company to sell Barber Wilsons products in the US under her control. Sarah became a founding member of DPHA in 2002. When Jamie Gregg (Colonial Bronze) asked Sarah to serve on DPHA's Board of Directors in 2003, she immediately stepped up to the plate giving her ideas and passion for the betterment and growth of the industry. Since 2003 to the present, Sarah has served on DPHA's Board all but one year, as one of the longest serving board members of DPHA. This dedication was rewarded with her election as DPHA's 2013 President.

On the business side, Sarah was recognized as DPHA's 2010 Manufacturer Professional of the year. Not only does Sarah support her dealer network with limited distribution, Sarah is a hands-on professional. When she teaches, she conveys more than product knowledge. Sarah educates sales forces on luxury selling techniques. She states that her products are "reassuringly expensive", providing sales associates new approaches to price objections.

Sarah has been, and will continue to be, a major industry contributor and her election to the DPHA Council of Fellows is recognition of her passion, commitment and successes in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry.

DPHA Proudly Announces Its Partnership With CEU Events

Understanding that education is the key to success, DPHA is proud to announce its partnership with CEU Events. After extensive research, DPHA believes that CEU Events provides the best collaborative platform with which to manage and promote in-person Continuing Education programs.

DPHA and CEU Events partnered to bundle the power of the Association and deliver a package of multiple CEU courses to DPHA members for a fraction of the cost of a single course.

CEU Events will license their existing CEU courses ‘Bath Innovations 1.0’, ‘Kitchen Innovations 1.0’ and ‘Does Internet Price Outweigh Industry Expertise and Knowledge’ to DPHA and will also develop two more courses for the Association within the next year.

Reaching the A+D community is one of the key motivators for DPHA, and the ability to provide in-person CEUs is one of the major advantages of this program. 

If you are a manufacturer, showroom or representative professional seeking more accredited CEU courses to present in front of the trade professionals and you would like to sign up, please click here.

DPHA Members' Blog - September 13, 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.

How to Furnish A Dream Bathroom

Beautiful furniture pieces are no longer the exclusive province of the living room, dining room or bedroom. Bathroom furniture has become mainstream. The trend of using cabinets designed for other rooms in the home for the bath became increasingly popular around 1990. At that time, designers and homeowners frequently converted antique cabinets, armoires and étagères into bath furniture, but they soon discovered that moist environments aren’t the best for family heirlooms or other expensive pieces of wood furniture. Bath industry manufacturers responded by producing furniture specifically for the bath environment. This furniture addressed not only climatic conditions but also functional concerns that account for storage requirements, supplies, traps, drains and other components necessary to bring and remove water to and from faucets and basins.

Click here to access the blog.

 

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, September 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 2,700 members of the DPHA community. Happy and lucky reading!

No Suitcasing at the 2019 DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase

We want to remind representatives of manufacturers who have elected not to purchase display space in the 2019 Product Showcase that non-exhibiting manufacturers are not permitted to market their companies, their products or share catalogs, product literature, promotional and marketing pieces or any other similar items with DPHA Conference attendees in the Showcase or in the vicinity of the Showcase during Conference hours. 

 

We also ask dealers attending the Conference to respect the no-suitcasing policy by refraining from discussing products and other business while in or around the Showcase with non-exhibiting manufacturers and reps, and to remind manufacturers and representatives that the Showcase is neither the time or appropriate place to discuss their offerings without an exhibit.

 

We will make it easy to distinguish between exhibiting and non-exhibiting manufacturers. Manufacturers with display space will have an exhibitor ribbon attached to their name badge.

 

There will be numerous other networking opportunities when everyone can schmooze with one another after the Showcase ends and Conference programs conclude. DPHA thanks all those planning to attend the Conference for honoring the no-suitcasing policy.

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: Jeff Robboy

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 Jeff Robboy ...

(Excerpted from Jeff's induction speech) ... I could speak to the fact that Baci by Remcraft has been in business for roughly 75 years, but in fact, I do not know all of the intimate details of Jeff's dealings with that business; what I do know is that he has been an active, highly involved and deeply dedicated charter member of DPHA since its beginning. Jeff served on the original Board of Directors, was Treasurer of the Association in 2005 and the President in 2007.

He has been an active member of the Education Committee and the Awards Committee, and in fact, he (along with Sarah Jenkinson of Barber Wilson/Sterlingham) has been the primary advocate, sponsor and organizer of the Wednesday afternoon/evening activity that have been held at the past few annual conferences and which are used to promote the award nominations process. And again, per Jeff’s insistence, each activity is split in two equal groups — one group is for those people who submit nominations in the Professional awards categories and who then have their cost for the event covered by the activity sponsor(s), and the second group is made up of people whoactually pay the fee for participating in the activity, but with all proceeds for the event then going to the Council of Fellows' Scholarship Fund. Needless to say, Jeff has been, and remains, a driving force on the Awards Committee.

There is so much more that we could say about Jeff, but what more can I say other than that he has always been an extremely dedicated member of this association, and if I ever need someone to help, Jeff’s first and only response is "what can I do?" He is selfless with regards to DPHA and if there is anyone better who exemplifies the spirit of a DPHA member, I don’t believe I have met them yet.

Congratulations to All Those Nominated in the 2019 DPHA Professional Award Categories!

DPHA publishes a Product of the Year (POTY) Guide for all nominated products in five different categories (Accessories, Furniture, Hardware, Plumbing Fixtures and Plumbing Water Delivery) which is distributed each year to all conference attendees and then is available to anyone for downloading from the website (to see the 2018 Product of the Year Guide, click here). However, until a few years ago we had never announced the nominated individuals and companies in the Professional award categories at any point in time.

This year the Awards Committee, under the leadership of David Crossley (Baci by Remcraft/Colonial Bronze) and Dennis Mezzapesa (TCB Sales), again received a near record number of award nominations, and would therefore like to continue this tradition. We would like to congratulate the following companies and individuals for being nominated in one of the six Professional award categories:

Customer Service Department of the Year:

• Home Refinements by Julien
• ICERA USA
• LACAVA
• Linkasink
• Mountain Plumbing Products
• MTI Baths
• Oceania Baths
• The Furniture Guild
• Watermark Designs

Manufacturing Professional of the Year:

• Abel, Avi (Watermark Designs)
• Brook, Tom (Kartners Bathroom Accessories)
• DeRose, Rene (Hydro Systems)
• DeSola, Kelly (Watermark Designs)
• Petrizzi, Tyler (Accurate Lock and Hardware)
• Vecchiola, Matt (Top Knobs)
• Villarreal, Gerry (Franz Viegener)
• Weidl, Patrick (Thermasol)
• Weinberg, Steven (California Faucets)

Representative Agency of the Year:

• Creative Bath Sales
• Foster Companies
• Level 5 Sales & Marketing
• Magruder Associates
• Stehr Enterprises
• Summit Architectural Resources
• The Rain Company
• The Sales Group

Representative Professional of the Year:

• Brown, Tom (Brownstone by Emerson-Swan)
• Haralanova, Yana (Repcor)
• Jones, Mike (Pinnacle Sales Group)
• Maples, Jeff (Creative Bath Sales)
• Miranda, Bill (The Sales Group)
• Paul, Ryan (Summit Architectural Resource)
• Pedula, Jerry (Creative Bath Sales)

Showroom of the Year:

• Decorative Plumbing Supply
• Designer Bath, Kitchen and Hardware
• DJ Bath Plus
• Elegant Additions
• Granite Bay Plumbing Gallery/Sierra Plumbing Supply
• Jack London Kitchen & Bath
• Millers Elegant Bath
• Naples Plumbing Studio
• ProSource Supply
• Rampart Supply
• Ultra Design Center

Showroom Professional of the Year:

• Avery, Ken (Jack London Kitchen & Bath)
• Bittner, Erin (Pierce Hardware)
• Brady, Kate (General Plumbing Supply)
• Campbell, Richard (Belmont Hardware)
• Ellis, Christy (Sandpiper Supply)
• Ezra, Valerie (Central Plumbing Specialties)
• Miller, Jane (Miller's Fine Decorative Hardware)
• Moss, Joshua (Advance Plumbing Supply Company)
• Mostafa, Amparito (The Brass Center)
• Pfeil, Vicki (Miller's Fine Decorative Hardware)
• Sarracino, Vicki (Anew Kitchen & Bath Design)
• Steves, Ryan (Decorative Plumbing Supply)

Winners will be announced on Saturday, November 9th, during the Awards Luncheon. For now though, congratulations to everyone listed above on being nominated - all of you should be very proud that you are being recognized as leaders in the industry!

DPHA Members' Blog - September 6, 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 Keys to a Gorgeous Modern Bath

Contemporary, modern styling continues to grow in popularity (in name of service territory).  Is a modern motif right for your new bath?  It is if you love clean lines, geometric shapes, basic and neutral colors, minimal decorations, natural materials and uncluttered space. If this is the case, a contemporary bath is in your future.  

Click here to access the blog.

 

In Case You Missed It the First Time - the DPHA Professional Development Training Program is an Investment in Your Future at a Price You Can Afford!

In case you missed our initial announcement in the August 23rd issue of Connections, it's back! Returning for it's third year at Conference, the 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.

Discounted Room Rates End on October 6th, so Don't Forget to Reserve Your Hotel Room for the 2019 DPHA Annual Conference Now!

In case you haven't been paying attention (and why haven't you been?), DPHA members can now reserve hotel rooms for the November 7-10 Annual Conference and Product Showcase at the beautiful new Hyatt Regency Seattle in Seattle, WA. The rate is $199 per night plus tax, and if you reserve your room now, your credit card will not be billed yet for any portion of the stay, and you have up until 48 hours prior to the start of your stay to cancel your hotel room reservation without any penalty. Click here to reserve your room.

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: David 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 David Goldberg...

David has been a mentor and a sounding Board to the DPHA staff since the formation of the Association in 1992. There is no doubt that were it not for David's guidance and willingness to share, especially in the formative years, DPHA would not have achieved the level of success it has.

He has donated countless hours of time in advancing DPHA technology and providing programming support for the DPHA website. He spearheaded the DPHA Data Standard (another concept ahead of its time) and provided significant review and guidance to the development of the DPHA education program. When staff was having a difficult time writing the Locks and Latchset manual, David explained, "If you are going to write a manual about door hardware, you need to start with the door!" To this day, the Locks and Latchset manual is among the best resources to teach staff how to specify and sell door hardware.

David attended all of the initial DPHA Board meetings and provided sound and motivating guidance. His commitment to elevating the industry earned him the DPHA President's Award in 2005, and DPHA Distinguished Service Awards in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

David has repeatedly proven throughout his professional career that he is committed to showroom and industry excellence, and he has provided leadership to manufacturers, representatives and other dealers. David is a shining example of the long-term, multifaceted industry commitment and continuous contribution that is the benchmark of becoming a DPHA Fellow.