NCT Summit 2008 Rocks Clearwater

“We threw a great three day party for our friends, everybody pitched in, and we all loved it.”  That was the summary National Comfort Institute President, Rob Falke made to conclude what was 3 full days of education and idea exchanging at the National Comfort Team’s PerforMaxx Summit March 3-5 in Clearwater, Florida.

Over 150 contractors and associates met at the historic Belleview Biltmore hotel to learn and share information to help them grow their Performance-Based businesses. The program kicked off with an opening session and overview from NCI CEO Dominick Guarino and keynote presentation from ACCA Manager of Technical Services, Wes Davis.

Guarino remarked that “one of NCI’s most important accomplishments is the success stories of many of the contractors in the room today.” He went on to share the results of a study over the membership, which revealed that the combined annual revenues of the 400+ members totaled over $700 million, with average company sales at $1.75 million. “What is notable,” said Guarino, “is that the sizes of our member companies ranged anywhere from $200,000/yr to $35 millon/yr.” His advice to the members was to not get discouraged if implementation seems to be taking more effort and time than expected, or if they are feeling overwhelmed. He told members to break the process down into smaller baby steps as they work towards building a performance-based culture in their companies.

Keynoter Wes Davis spoke about the importance of a quality installation of the total system, not just the furnace and air conditioner.  Davis further revealed that with the demands of even more efficiency from heating and cooling systems contractors need to look beyond the box for further energy savings. He also spoke of the courage it takes to forge new paths and raise the bar, and how the contractors in the room were already far beyond where most of the industry is today.

This year’s Summit continued to offer both technical and business related tracks to accommodate the wide diversity of contractors and the employees they brought to the event.  Attendees were able to choose from 17 different sessions.  Most importantly, many of the sessions featured presentations by contractors who have made NCI’s approach an integral part of their companies.  “Contractor presenters can speak peer-to-peer with their colleagues with a certain credibility that professional presenters can’t always offer,” said Rob Falke, NCI President.

In addition to sessions conducted by NCI trainers the presenter roster included: Vince DiFilippo - DiFilippo’s Service; Chuck Worley - Energy Efficient; Dan Squires - Vincent’s Heating & Cooling; Andrew John, Johns Refrigeration, Mike Graham-MGP Heating & Air; Bob Brice & Tim Hanes - Cenergy Inc.; Darl Works - Performance Balancing; Paul Wieboldt - Tradewinds Heating & Cooling.  Bill Spohn – Testo; Joe Ramunni; Arzel Zoning.

 Another highlight to the presentations was a well attended session put on by HVAC veteran and author Ron Smith.  In his class, Ron discussed improving profits, best hiring practices and reviewing a business model that drives success.  Ron was also on hand at scheduled vendor breaks to talk one-on-one with contractors about their businesses.  He also had books on hand which he was autographing for Summit attendees. 

For 2008 NCI expanded it’s display of select vendors to include: TSI, Arzel Zoning, Testo, Field Controls, Equiguard, The Trane Company, United Refrigeration, Second Wind, A-Kool Distribution, Ron Smith Consulting, Jeff Arthur Productions, Contractors Online Access & To Your Success.   Not only were their select vendor meeting opportunity times set up, there were also opportunities to meet with vendors after meals and on breaks.  “It was a real interactive experience” said one vendor.  “We felt like part of the total program.”

The highlight of the Summit’s closing day was a panel discussion on Green Contracting moderated by Rob Falke  The well rounded panel included: Dave Pannier-President  Trane/ American Standard Residential Products; Dennis Laughlin-President Arzel Zoning:  Wes Davis-ACCA Manager of Technical Services, Bob Brice-President Cenergy and Dominick Guarino- CEO NCI.  A variety of conservation and efficiency issues were discussed, including the many ways that HVAC contractors can make the most out of installing and renovating HVAC systems that have a huge positive impact on energy consumption and greenhouse gases as well as consumer comfort.

The National Comfort Team PerforMaxx Awards dinner started off with a quick tour back in time to the speakeasy days of the Biltmore Hotel, including a short tour through the hidden passages underneath the 110 year old structure.  A lavish dinner awaited everyone and then a short but spirited awards ceremony began.   Award winners included the following companies: Mike Graham Heating and Air Conditioning, DiFilippo’s Service, John’s Refrigeration, Copeland & Son AC and Heating Service, Innovative Air Solutions and Arzel Zoning Technology.

“I was blown away by the professionalism and intensity of each and every contractor there,” said Dominick Guarino.  “I can’t begin to say enough thanks to our contractor speakers who made this year’s Summit an incredible experience for everyone. The sharing and the comradery among the NCT members is something you rarely see and we are fortunate to have such a strong group of contractors to work with.”  When Guarino asked one contractor how does NCI top this, the response was; “you don’t, you simply try to maintain this high level of information and service every year we meet.”

Be sure to look for excerpts from the conference sessions in upcoming NCT newsletters.

National Comfort Institute CEO Dominick Guarino launched the Summit with a yearly review and background statistics taken from a recent NCI contractor survey.		Mathew Phillips from Austin Energy takes notes while Dan Squires of Vincent’s Heating & Cooling talks about how to make your CO/Combustion services a keystone of your HVAC business.
Al D'Ambola talk with contractors about System Profiling and maximizing a service call on every home you visit.		Rob Falke explains a new expanded CoolMaxx testing process created to provide more information to a contractor to help correctly diagnose cooling operations.
It IS Easy Being Green panel discussion featured L-R   Dominick Guarino- President NCI, Bob Brice-President Cenergy Wes Davis-ACCA Manager of Technical Services, Dennis Laughlin-President Arzel Zoning and Dave Pannier-President Trane/ American Standard Residential Products.		NCI Expanded the vendor presence at this year’s summit with a Vendors row including  TSI, Arzel Zoning, Testo, Field Controls, Equiguard, United Refrigeration Second Wind, Jeff Arthur Productions,  Contractors Online Access & To Your Success.
HVAC legend Ron Smith took time from his presentations and tabletop to exchange ideas with Jack Hutchinson from HVACR Business Magazine.		The Grand Ballroom at the Belleview Biltmore was an ideal location for contractors, vendors and HVAC media to meet.
The food served by the Belleview Biltmore was fit for a king.  Everything seemed to be on time and delicious.  Here, Duncan Sheridan takes advantage of the roast beef at the opening night reception.		Long time NCT members John Puryear and Eric Kjelshus learn what’s new about Kool Duct insulated ductwork from Bill Darden.
NCT PerforMaxx Awards winners (L-R) Michael Carlo, Frank Copeland, Mike Graham, Andrew John, Vince DiFilippo & Dennis Laughlin		The NCI registration table was information central on who was here, what was going on and also a central meeting spot for contractors, vendors and speakers.