NPGA 70th Southeastern Convention Most Successful Yet

Friday April 21, 2017
Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) Update Live!
Presenter: Roy Willis, president and CEO, Propane Education & Research Council
3:30 p.m.– 4:00 p.m, Davidson Ballroom

For 20 years, PERC has helped marketers educate a broad range of customers about the many ways that propane can meet their energy needs. Learn about the industry’s most promising technology developments, training programs, and promotional initiatives that are available to marketers to drive sales or seize business opportunities. The industry’s national consumer education campaign will be reviewed as well as the campaign initiatives for 2017.

Keynote Speaker: Keni Thomas
4:00 p.m.– 5:00 p.m., Davidson Ballroom




Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Check out the 2017 exhibitors and begin networking at the Friday evening opening of the Expo Hall. Take this opportunity to see what is new and to meet and greet the propane industry’s best on the tradeshow floor.
Sponsored by: Mississippi Tank Co., MTankCo., and Stellar Industries.

Saturday April 22
Women in Propane (WIP) Roundtable:
Change Management
Presenter: Roy Willis, president and CEO, Propane Education & Research Council
3:30 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.
“Change is the one thing you can always count on,” and life has a way of making sure we don’t get too comfortable, especially at work. To manage the people side of change, and to achieve the desired business outcome, requires specific tools and techniques. Roy Willis will talk about the unique and complex changes he has managed during his tenure at PERC. Join Women in Propane for an inside view of change management and a discussion about the fundamentals needed to adapt and thrive in an always-evolving environment.

Women in Propane Networking Reception
5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Keep the conversation going and join the Women in Propane for a Networking Reception immediately following the WIP Council Roundtable session. All registrants are invited.

Young Gassers Reception
Hard Rock Cafe Nashville
100 Broadway
7:30 p.m.– Midnight
Open to everyone in the propane industry. No charge for current members; all others will be charged $25 admission.

Sunday April 23 Prayer Breakfast
Presenter: Ginny Owens
8:30 a.m.- 9:45 a.m.
More than 15 years ago, Ginny Owens made her name as a deeply spiritual singer-songwriter who also reached alternative pop audiences. She performed at Lilith Fair, Sundance Film Festival, and for club and church audiences, which helped to land her songs on Christian radio and primetime television dramas like Felicity. Over the years, Owens has received “New Artist of the Year” and three Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. Her eighth and most recent studio album, I Know a Secret, assembles tender devotional language and spiritual imagery. Owens’ loss of sight at a very young age has profoundly affected her journey. Since 2005, she has been very active in charitable work with her nonprofit The Fingerprint Initiative. She will discuss her path and share her songs with attendees.
Sponsored by: Blossman Propane Gas, Rinnai, and Westmor.

CONCURRENT EDUCATION SESSIONS
The Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo offers breakout sessions for varying interests, experience levels, and training needs.

Friday April 21
Group A
Concurrent Educational Sessions — 
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Better Ways: Maximizing Marketing Investment and Customer Value
Presenters: Cooper Wilburn, financial consultant, Propane Resources; Tamera Kovacs, consultant, Propane Resources
Conquering Will Call: Better Service, Bigger Returns
Presenter: Amos Epstein, CEO, Tank Utility
Five-Step Framework: The Road to 60% Average Fill*
Presenter: Robert Battye, vice president North America, and COO North America, Silicon Controls
Getting More from Your Tank Inventory: Strategies and Tools
Presenter: Andre Leblanc, vice president of operations, Ditech Testing

Group B
Concurrent Education Sessions — 
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Crash Reduction: Insight into Causes for Motor Vehicle Accidents in the Propane Industry
Presenter: Del Lisk, vice president of safety services, Lytx Inc.

The Evolution of Mobile Truck Computing: An Essential Tool for Propane
Presenter: Aaron Cargas, vice president of product and marketing, Cargas Systems

It’s Not Rocket Science! Using Metrics to Make Critical Decisions
Presenter: Mike Shilts, vice president of marketing, K&K Management Solutions

Recruitment and Development: Attracting New Employees to the Propane Industry*
Presenters: Alex Gresham, director of human development, Blossman Gas; Justine Staub, director of workforce development, AmeriGas; and Jim Stein, owner/manager, LPGas Jobs

Remote Tank Monitors: How to Deploy and Maximize Your Investment
Presenter: Boyd McGathey, VP of business development, WESROC

Route Planning and Mobile Ticketing: Getting the Most from Your Fleet
Presenter: Craig Balzer, vice president of sales and marketing, Vertrax Inc.

Group C
Concurrent Education Sessions
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

2017 Propane Market Outlook: Current Market Conditions and the Next Five Years
Presenter: Mike Sloan, principal, ICF International
Co-Sponsored by: Global Gas

Alternate Exits: Minimizing Taxes When Internally Selling or Transferring Your Businesses
Presenters: Kevin Kennedy, founder and CEO, Beacon Exit Planning; and Joseph Bazzano, COO, Beacon Exit Planning

Boots on the Ground: Building a Direct-to-Consumer Marketing Strategy to Grow Gallons*
Presenters: Ben Gutkin, vice president of marketing, Warm Thoughts Communications; and Tom Jaenicke, vice president of propane services, Warm
Thoughts Communications

A Look Overseas: Global Trends in Propane…Today and for the Future
Moderator: Esther Assous, events director, World LPG Association (WLPGA); Presenters: Suyash Gupta, managing director, Indian Oil Corp.; Paul Ladner, Group CEO, UGI East; and Nikos Xydas, technical director, WLPGA

New Approaches and New Resources: Growing Gallons in the Autogas Market
Presenter: Mike Taylor, director of autogas business development, Propane Education & Research Council

PERC Safety & Training: Updates and New Resources
Presenters: Stuart Flatow, vice president of safety and training, Propane Education & Research Council; and Courtney Gendron, senior certified employee training program manager, Propane Education & Research Council.
Sponsored by: National Interstate Insurance

Group D
Concurrent Education Sessions — 
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Best Practices: Automated Price Protection, Contracting, and Hedging for Propane Marketers
Presenter: Gary Sippin, co-founder and director of sales and marketing, Destwin Energy Systems LLC

Differentiate & Dominate: Customer Service Superiority
Presenter: Steve Coscia, president, Coscia Communications Inc.

New Approaches and New Resources: Growing Gallons in the Residential Market
Presenters: Scott Johnston, sales manager, Dead River Inc.; Bridget Kidd, director of residential and commercial business development, Propane
Education & Research Council; Paula Laney, director, safety, training, & education, Oklahoma LP Gas Research, Marketing & Safety Commission; and Dan Richardson, president and CEO, Conger LP Gas

NPGA Benchmarking Council: Valuable Lessons from Best Practices*
Moderator: Tom Jaenicke, vice president of propane services, Warm Thoughts Communications
Panelists: Clayton Cook, energy division manager, United Landmark; Mark Delehanty, president, Independence Propane; Judy Taranovich, owner, Proctor Gas; and Kim Tucker, district manager, Griffith Energy
Sponsored by: NPGA

Weather or Not: Your Best Forecast for Predictable Profits
Presenter: Danny Silverman, vice president, Angus Energy

Which Way Forward? Choosing Between Digital and Traditional Marketing
Presenter: Kirk Wright, owner, Pro Image Communications

Saturday April 22

Group E
Concurrent Educational Sessions — 
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

How to Become a Creditor and Get Paid NOW!
Presenter: Milissa Lord, vice president of business development, A.R.M. Solutions

Long Range Forecast: Weather’s Impact on Propane Retailers*
Presenters: J.D. Buss, trading manager, Twin Feathers Consulting; Gary Lezak, chief meteorologist, founder, Weather 2020; and Charles Robertson, president, Twin Feathers Consulting

New Approaches and New Resources: Growing Gallons in the Agriculture Market
Presenters: Jay Canada, director of sales, Industrial-Irrigation; Mel Limon, executive director of sales, Flame Engineering Inc.; Bill Moore, alternative fuel sales manager, Conger LP Gas; and Cinch Munson, director of agriculture business development, Propane Education & Research Council

Programmatic Advertising: Targeting Your Ideal Customers Online
Presenter: Catherine Jermolowitz, client services group, PriMedia

Propane Autogas: Driving Gallons Sales
Presenter: Albert Venezio, chairman and co-founder, ICOM and UPAS Group

Proudly Propane: National Consumer Campaign Marketing Tools & Resources
Presenters: Joe Rose, immediate past president, Propane Gas Association of New England; Dennis Vegas, chief marketing officer, Propane Education & Research Council; Gregg Walker, director of communications, Propane Education & Research Council; & Mark Zimora, vice president of U.S. operations, Energy Distribution Partners
Sponsored by: Warm Thoughts Communications

TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Propane Gas System Technical Workshops target the service technician/installer, propane system installer, and others involved in the sales, installation, and servicing of propane systems and related applications. These hands-on sessions are taught by factory instructors.

Saturday April 22
10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

CounterStrike CSST Installer Training
Presenter: Reece Hoben, Southeastern regional sales manager, Omega Flex
10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Vent-Free Technology
Presenter: Rich Dahl, national service trainer, Empire Comfort Systems; and Tim Cummings, national service trainer, Empire Comfort Systems
12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.

Innovations Remote Controls Used in Gas Products
Presenter: John Buchanan, vice president of sales, Skytech Products Group; and Terry Brumbaugh, quality assurance and training manager, Skytech Products Group

Sunday April 23
10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m.

Bridging the Generator Gap
Presenter: Bob Cramer, technical applications manager, Generac Power Systems
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

CSST Codes, Standards, Listings, and Instructions: Differences and Impact
Presenter: Bob Torbin, director of codes and standards, Omega Flex.
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Installing Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits
Presenter: John Buchanan, vice president of sales, Skytech Products Group; and Terry Brumbaugh, quality assurance and training manager, Skytech Products Group

FAST-TRACK SESSIONS
Short on time? These information-packed 45-minute sessions will be held in the expo hall during exhibit hall hours on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday April 22
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

NFPA 58: 2017 Edition and Beyond!
Presenter: Eric Nette, engineer, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
This session will discuss NFPA 58 changes from the 2014 edition to the 2017 edition as well as looking forward to the 2020 edition. Input for the new cycle has already started, and will close in June.

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tennessee Clean Fuels: Lessons to Apply in Your State
Presenter: Melissa Goldberg, project manager, Tennessee Clean Fuels; and David Griffin, ICOM North America
Learn how Tennessee is reaching out to new autogas markets and fleets, and utilize its tactics in your state. Designed for mid- and upper-level managers and propane utility staff, this session will review different types of autogas fleets in Tennessee and efforts to further autogas use statewide.

12:15 p.m. –  1:15 p.m.
DOT: Cylinders, Cargo Tanks, and Hazardous Materials & Safety Regulation Updates
Presenter: David Ford, hazardous materials program manager, USDOT/FMCSA
This interactive discussion addresses propane transportation regulations specific to cylinders and cargo tanks. DOT hazardous materials and safety regulation updates will be included.

1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Telematics: How to Effectively Use Your Data
Presenter: Tony Candeloro, vice president of product development, ARI
While telematic devices in vehicles can help improve fleet operations, reduce liability, and save money, it is imperative to examine and understand the data they provide. This session will explain how to turn data from these devices into useable information.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Propane and Technology: Embracing Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things
Presenter: Andre Pimentel, head of sales and marketing, ISA-Intelligent Sensing Anywhere
Cloud computing, which provides connectivity, scalability, ease of updates, and reduced IT costs, is becoming ever more important to the propane industry. This session will provide information about the Internet-of-Things concept related to remote tank monitoring, gas meters, gas cylinders, and smart homes.

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Distributor’s Role: Preventing Accidents and Defending Against Propane Losses
Presenter: Sean Casey, staff attorney, Maricle & Associates —Travelers Insurance Co.
Focusing on propane distributors and their technicians, this presentation reviews the importance of establishing and following NFPA 54-compliant work procedures to prevent accidents, as well as ways to support defenses to damage claims that result from propane-fueled explosions and fires. Accurate and detailed evidence of service, deliveries, and testing performed by distributors’ technicians can help in defending claims, and will be discussed in depth during this session.

Sunday April 23
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
OSHA Requirements: Labels, Safety, Data Sheets, and Training of HCS 2012
Presenter: Sara Reboli, director of regulatory affairs, National Propane Gas Association
This session will give an overview of the new requirements for labels, safety data sheets, and employee training programs under the Hazard Communication Standard 2012 (HCS 2012), which aligns these materials with the international chemical shipping Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Learn the fundamental requirements and answers to your company’s unique needs.

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Regulatory Update: The Latest Federal Proposals and Rules Affecting Propane
Presenters: National Propane Gas Association Regulatory Team
NPGA staff will provide information on new federal regulations, as well as future anticipated regulations, that affect the propane industry.