Optional Member Wednesday Workshops

April 20, 2022

We will be holding seven workshops for Members on Wednesday afternoon prior to the Meet & Greet. These Workshops will focus on important BLUE HAWK initiatives. You can sign up to attend the workshops on the conference registration form. Please note, some of these workshops are concurrent.  Make sure you check the times and only register for one workshop per time slot.

BLUE data + BLUeCommerce: Learn how to launch a cost-effective webstore
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Speakers: Bob Stone, Trade Service
Ian Williams, Billtrust eCommerce

BLUE data leverages the buying power of the cooperative to provide eCommerce storefront data at a fraction of the cost of purchasing it individually. BLUeCommerce is your source for a complete and turnkey webstore solution. Together they are a winning combination.

Captive Insurance: How can our captive insurance partners help you?
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Speakers: Dee VanSchoick, Risk Strategies/IMARK Group Health Insurance Captive
John McHale, Captive Resources/Elite Distributor Insurance Company (EDIC)
Brad Dumbauld, Gregory & Appel/Elite Distributor Insurance Company (EDIC

IMARK Group Health Insurance Captive and Elite Distributor Insurance Company (EDIC) can both help you save money and get better coverage by working together. IMARK Group Health Insurance Captive gives BLUE HAWK Members the same purchasing power, claims cost containment, and clout as a Fortune 100 company.

Elite Distributors Insurance Company is a member-owned and controlled captive insurance company. EDIC was started in 1991 as a way for owners to gain and maintain control of their risk management and insurance costs. EDIC currently has approximately 140 members around the country. EDIC is a homogeneous group captive program designed for wholesale distributors and provides coverage for General Liability, Workers Compensation/Employers Liability, Automobile Liability, and Automobile Physical Damage.

Blue Ridge & HVAC Distributors: Leveraging Technology to Maximize the Supply Chain 
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Speakers: Kevin Lowsberry, HVAC Distributors.
Q&A Facilitated by: Blue Ridge

BLUE HAWK Member, HVAC Distributors like many in the industry has faced challenges with supply chain, growth, and rising transportation costs. Attend this Q&A workshop with purchasing leader Kevin Lownsbery to learn how HVAC Distributors has leveraged technology to significantly reduce overstock, reduce supply chain costs, and improve service levels at the same time.

Bluon: The #1 App for techs is now the largest and fastest-growing HVAC community
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm
Speakers: Will Rawley, Bluon
Drew Eckman, Bluon

The HVAC trade doesn’t have enough skilled labor. We all know it and we all feel it. Bluon is in a unique position of being able to help tackle that labor shortage by using its technology platform to drive efficiencies. With 100,000 technicians already using the platform to save them time on the job and become better technicians. Our next step is to enhance how these technicians communicate with their local distributors, saving time and mistakes on both sides. Join this session to explore whether Bluon can add value to your distributorship.

Benchmark BLUE: Back to the future: the return to the new-normal
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm
Speaker: Paul Guidice, CoMetrics

Like a spaceship re-entering the atmosphere, BLUE HAWK members ended 2021 hot. How will this play out in 2022? Early indications show EBITDA margins returning to earth from their atmospheric highs, while sales growth continues to climb; driven – in large part – by inflationary pressure. Connect with your peers to participate in a Benchmark BLUE Workshop facilitated by CoMetrics’ (our benchmarking partner) CEO Paul Giudice. Paul will present results from 2021 as well as early data from Q1 2022, and then BLUE HAWK Members will connect with peers in breakout groups to discuss and share best practices in managing through this new normal. This workshop is open to all BLUE HAWK Members and not just Benchmark BLUE participants.

The Dashboard: Explore your rebate analytics web tool
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Speaker: Steve Zingsheim, Rebate.ai powered by TREDENCE

BLUE HAWK’s web-based analytics platform that shows near real-time rebate performance and conversion opportunities. Members, Vendor Partners and Co-op Staff are using this system to track and maximize rebate & incentive opportunities. Join us for this workshop to get your questions answered and to learn more about how to use The Dashboard to its full capabilities.

BLUE HAWK Retirement: Explore how to spend less and get more with Group 401(k) Plan
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Speakers: Andrew Thompson, The Capital Group
Drew Disher, Lincoln Financial

Every business owner wants to feel confident that their company’s retirement plan is working the way they expect and that they’re seeing value for money spent. Let BLUE HAWK Retirement show you how a Group 401(k) plan can help your company achieve its goals while reducing your fiduciary responsibility.