JOIN US FOR THIS REGION'S MUST-ATTEND EDUCATION AND NETWORKING EVENT
New City, Fun New Location! The 2023 Annual Meeting will be held at the White River Conference Center in the Bass Pro Shop Complex in Springfield, Missouri. This year's event features:
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education sessions presented by industry experts
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hands-on training
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our product showcase
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a delicious dinner prepared by our grill sponsors
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the opportunity to connect with members
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and more!
ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023*
TECHNICAL TRACK
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hands-On Gas Training
Scott Abele, Travis Industries
This session sponsored by:
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Building on last year's H.O.T. Academy's success, MWHPBA is bringing back hands-on training. This year, members will be training on Travis Industries' gas hearth systems. Even if you do not sell Travis products, you encounter them in the field. Eliminate costly service callbacks by equipping your installers and service personnel with the knowledge and practice needed to assure fast, efficient, and accurate diagnosis. This is an excellent opportunity to sharpen your skills and train your staff before the season begins. Space for this course is limited, so register early to save your seat.
BUSINESS TRACK
2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Everything You Know You Should Be Doing As a Sales Leader, but Don't Want to Do
Tim Rethlake, TRaction Coaching
Tim has over 45 years of sales and marketing leadership experience in the hearth industry, which he uses to support his clients to live and work intentionally by focusing on what's most important, not just urgent. During Tim's interactive workshop, attendees will explore:
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The good salespeople are already taken, where will your next ones come from?
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How to onboard, not waterboard, new sales hires.
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Why you must treat your sales team better than your customers.
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The importance of “Story” to a consistent, winning sales process.
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Defining “Unreasonably Great Experience” for your business.
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5:30 PM - 6:15 PM
Stay Up to Date on Issues That Will Impact Your Business
This important government affairs session will touch base on the current issues our industry faces and how they will affect your business. This includes:
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Tax Credit
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EPA Certifications
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Fuel Choice Legislation
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Woodburning Inserts
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Action Alerts
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BARBECUE COOKOUT
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Hosted by Maschino's
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2023*
TECHNICAL TRACK
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
NFI Certification Gas & Core Knowledge Review Courses
Considerable knowledge and expertise are called for in designing, installing, and servicing gas hearth systems, not only because of advances in technology but also because of the nature of fuel gases. We begin with the foundation for all work with gas hearth systems: gas characteristics and combustion basics. We look next at methods and requirements for fuel delivery and then at the fundamentals of gas piping systems.
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8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
REPEAT: Hands-On Gas Training
Scott Abele, Travis Industries
This is a repeat of Tuesday's Hands-On Training. Attendees will have the option to attend Tuesday's Business track starting at 2 PM and Wednesday's Hands-On for $99. If a minimum of 10 people have no registered for this course by August 2, this class will be canceled and all fees collected will be fully refunded. Attendees will be added to a waitlist for Tuesday's training.
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BUSINESS TRACK
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
MWHPBA Update Breakfast
Jake Hunter, MWHPBA President
Take a few minutes to learn what is new in your affiliate and at HPBA national, what governmental regulations might affect our region and about your member benefits.
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8:45 AM - 9:45 AM
Dealer Roundtable Discussions
These roundtable discussions give you the chance to hear from your peers and share your experiences. Topics might include new ways to seek employees, current state of the industry, what a recession might mean for your store, and more.
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10:00 AM - 12:15 AM
Professionalism, Ethics & Profit
Dan Cevilkewich (AKA Dan Cells), Willy's Chimney Service
This session sponsored by:
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This course will review what it means to be a professional company and employee, what it means to have ethics, and to provide a clear path on how to make applications and adjustments in your company and as an individual. Attendees will learn how to move forward as a successful hearth company and an employee for the the betterment of the industry. This session includes:
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Communication with customers
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Handling Google reviews
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Defining your company's ethics
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How to profit on service calls and more
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Making goals
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*Schedule subject to change.
BARBECUE COOKOUT
Tuesday, August 8 | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Connect with Members & View Grills in Action
We are bringing back one of our most popular events, the Barbecue Cookout! Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our grill sponsors, view the latest products in action, tour one of our member's store, and connect with members during this event. Maschino's, located just a short walk from the hotel, will be our host. There will be plenty of good food, cold drinks, and good times to be had by all!
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS
Our discounted room rate at the Angler's Lodge has expired. There are a handful of rooms still available at the Angler's Lodge, but they are now running about $149 a night. Click here if you would like to reserve a room at the Angler's Lodge at the higher rate, or we have listed a few other hotels close to the White River Conference Center that might offer a more affordable rate.
Angler's Lodge
Room Rates are $149 and up
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Only a handful of rooms available
Reasons To Join Us
Top 5
Learn new ways to grow and improve your business from industry experts
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View the latest products and services offered by our participating sponsors
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Earn up to 9.5 CEUs towards your NFI or CSIA recertification
Brush up on your skills and train your new techs and installers in our Hands-On Training
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CONNECT with members in our 4-state region - Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Missouri
OUR SPONSORS
Things to do in Springfield
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Visit the Original Bass Pro Shop - host to our event
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Tour the Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, the Pythian Castle, or the Route 66 Car Museum
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Watch a minor league game
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Take in a show at "Live Entertainment Capital of the World" Branson
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Spend the weekend fishing and boating on Table Rock Lake
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Visit the home of the throwed rolls - Lambert's
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And much more!