April
14th – 18th 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.
