NAEC Spring Conference 2018 – Carlsbad California

April 14^th – 18^th 2018 was the annual National Association of Elevator Contractors[NAEC] spring conference in Carlsbad California.  This is the purely education and social event of the year that is in a relaxed environment.  If you have not attended one of the spring conferences I would recommend you go to the next one in Naples Florida 4/14/19-4/17/19.

*Many of these days there was multiple sessions going on at the same time I only am documenting the ones I went to.  There was a lot more going on then what I could get to.

Saturday

I shot in the office at 3:30am to get the next weeks schedules out and tie up some loose ends before catching a 10am flight to San Diego. Saturday evening the NAECs Board of Directors had a dinner where we got to see a fantastic sunset.  This was the first time we got together as a board since our last meeting in late January.

Sunday

7:30am started with our Board of Directors meeting.  During this meeting we had a full agenda to get through and which big news will be coming soon!  The BOD provides direction and decisions for the NAEC based on committee work and NAEC staff input.

3pm – contractors member session – This is a session where the registered contractors[72 registered] come together to discuss topics in their areas.  We went through MRLs, MCP’s, bad dept, OSHA, maintenance agreements, consultants and a few more topics.  Everyone had a different take on each item we talked about and it was interesting to see different view points and different experiences.

4pm – Meeting of two of the education arms of the NAEC to run through some cross over topics.

7pm – Welcome reception – This is the spot where everyone gets together the first time and kicks off the Spring Conference as a group.  Good food, lots of drinks and a good time.  

Monday

8am – Opening breakfast – This is the first formal event of the conference where the President gives the State of the NAEC address and we had Dr. Dewett give our key note speech.  It was also noted that GAL’s Mark Yako had an outstanding balance with Craig Zomchek for $44.00.

 [View form the podium]

[ Dr. Todd Dewitt]

9:30am – OSHA update – Silica safety training – Led by Delaware Elevator’s David Smart we learned the history on Silica and the new requirements for Silica.  It was a mixed bag in the room of people who knew and did not know or maybe knew a little bit.  This was a CEU qualifying presentation.

Golf tournament – Most went on a golf tournament – those who didn’t went to the Open Mic

1:30pm – Open mic – This was led by the NAEC’s vice president and was a quaint but great conversation on more things that contractors and suppliers had on their minds.  Industry consolidation, union pressure, OEM competition, new construction where all topics discussed from US and Canadian contractors and suppliers.

Tuesday

8:30am – Carbon brush maintenance for elevator applications – Everything and anything having to do with carbon brushes for motors and generators was gone through during this presentation.  By Ron Crader of Advanced Carbon.

10:15am – Mike Ryan from Peelle gave an interesting take on the resurgence of freight elevators based on the changing economy.

10:45am – Human resource information on “7 mistakes a manager makes” – Karen Hopkins of the Hopkins Group went thought a lot of information on new requirements and what managers could be doing better.  This was a packed house!

1:00pm – Platform lifts – a full disclosure – Patrick Edwards of EHLS gave his take on the requirements of platform lifts.

5:30pm – An evening reception

Wednesday

Round table discussions – This is a presentation and Q & A on different topics.  There where 6 options and only 3 slots so you had to pick where to go.

Zero clearance elevators – This was an interesting topic for security doors on elevator hoistways.  The issue of a security door on hoistway entrance is in direct conflict with FEO but NYC has just allowed it, following suit may be other larger markets.

Safety committee round table – We spent some time on silica and OSHA getting more involved in our trade.  Policy on parking cars and texting while driving was also discussed.  

Harassment claims – Protecting your company – This was a discussion on how to provide policy on preventing issues at your company.

1:00pm – Control valves – Abe from EECO gave a presentation on valves

7:00pm - Dregs party – This is the final gathering to say your goodbyes to new friends and old friends.  This is also where GAL’s Mark Yako publicly paid his $44.00 debt to Craig Zomchek.

11:00pm – On a plane back to Chicago’s ORD.

It was a great conference with great educational items, some of the best I have seen at a conference.  I met a few new faces and got to see a lot of familiar faces.  I got a chance to have lunches and dinners with people and had some great discussions about the association and our own businesses.  My favorite time was spent going out one on one with one of our suppliers for an earlier dinner and spending time at a dinner with two guys who have been around the industry many years who have a wealth of experience and are just all around good guys.

I get asked what I get out of being on the NAEC’s Board of Directors.  When I was elected to serve on the board I knew 20% of the people who go to these events.  Now I know or am familiar with 90% to 95% of the people who attend.  It is a really cool thing.

I also get asked what do I get out of being involved in the NAEC going to the events.  I see contractors and suppliers from all around the country and we get to talk about what is going on in other markets.  I do get to learn quite a bit from the education items from the normal sessions as well.  So when I get back to my company I can share these things with others and hopefully make our company a better place to work and add an competitive edge. 

Next NAEC Stop - Atlantic City for the Annual Convention - September 24th - 27th 2018

As always feel free to contact us at www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.