We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • PROS REPS
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webinars
    • AHR Live 2023
  • PODCASTS
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
Home » On The Road: Plumbing Manufacturers International Conference 2015

On The Road: Plumbing Manufacturers International Conference 2015

November 30, 2015

The 2015 Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) Conference took place October 26-29, at Hotel Contessa on the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. PMI gathered together members, partners, and industry experts to share updates on a variety of topics ranging from regulatory and legislative issues to communications best practices.

That Monday evening, I was on-hand for the opening welcome reception and sponsor exhibition. Over cocktails and light refreshments, attendees were able to catch up with friends and colleagues in a relaxed environment, all while checking out some of the latest offerings from the industry. Plumbing Engineer and PHC News were among this year’s sponsors, and I welcomed attendees to our table to check out the latest magazine issue and talk editorial for the coming year.

Tuesday morning, the formal conference began with a session on “Advocacy and Government.” Jerry Desmond, of Desmond & Desmond LLC, started the session with a look at happenings on the West Coast. He discussed hot topics such as appliance efficiency, fixture flow rates, and consumer product safety. Next, Stephanie Salmon, of Potomac Government Relations, closed out the session with a look at federal affairs. She shared updates on work from WaterSense and the EPA, as well as made a plug for World Water Week taking place in April 2016.

Next, Dr. Marc Edwards led the presentation, “Achieving Water Conservation Without Compromising Public Health.” Dr. Edwards is an environmental engineer, biophysicist and professor at Virginia Tech. In his presentation, he explained that exposure to fecal matter is no longer a leading cause of water borne disease. He said that today, Legionella, Mycobacterium Avium, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and Naegleria Fowleri are being looked at as the key contributors to such disease. To conclude, Dr. Edwards addressed the recent scare in Flint, Mich., where it was discovered that the city’s water supply was causing elevated levels of lead in residents, including children. He was part of the research that took place as a result of resident complaints about the smell and taste of the water. Paul Struman, of Montana State University, presented after Dr. Edwards, giving a detailed scientific look at biofilm growth, scale, antimicrobial treatment and more.

In the afternoon, the “Outreach and Communications” session started with a presentation by Laura Marlow, senior director of business development and strategic partnerships at CMD Group, and Derek Guffey, senior director of enterprise solutions at CMD Group. Both shared industry concerns that the company gathered from its research in 2015, including talent acquisition and engagement, licensure, training, and leadership. The company is looking to help our industry better break down, assess, understand, and utilize big data in the future.

My last stop at the conference was the panel discussion that I participated on. The panel, “Social Media and the Digital Communications Strategies,” was moderated by Scott McDonald, vice president of marketing at Fluidmaster Inc., and included: Martha Sprague, social media manager at the National Association of Manufacturing; John Mesenbrink, president of Mechanical Hub; Wes Baerga, digital marketing strategist and client development at Vue Point Creative; Beth Livingston, brand manager of WaterSense at the Environmental Protection Agency; and Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of Bath Manufacturers Association. It was a pleasure bouncing ideas back and forward on topics such as ROI, leads, and platform selection. Thanks again for having me, PMI!

Photo Credit: Plumbing Manufacturers International

Engineers & Specifiers Plumbing
  • Related Articles

    On The Road: 2015 ASPE Technical Symposium

    Plumbing Manufacturers International Praises the Senate and House Committee

    On the Road to Practically Perfect Plumbing

  • Related Directories

    Fluidmaster Inc.

Most Popular

  • DiversiTech to Acquire Pro1 Thermostats

  • Lion Plumbing Supply and American Standard Join Forces to Brighten Up North Miami Neighborhood

  • Rich-Tomkins Co. Honors Industry Icon and Bradford White Water Heaters Trainer Herbert Harvey Jr.

  • Industry Mentor Morrie Beschloss Passes Away

Featured Video

Liberty video 2

Liberty Pumps Materials Center Open House with Charlie Cook

Industry Events

  • 04Jun

    NCWA Annual Convention

    French Lick, IN
  • 11Jun

    AWWA 2023 Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE23)

    Toronto, ON
  • 19Jun

    2023 NFPA Conference & Expo

    Las Vegas, NV
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw05 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Pe05 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc05 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Es 2022
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2023 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing