Buzzworthy Workshops
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Six workshops – focusing on various Buzzworthy BLUE HAWK initiatives – will be held Sunday afternoon prior to the Meet & Greet. Sign up to attend through the conference registration form.
Following the workshops there will be a Next Level Leadership Development Program Happy Hour for those interested in getting involved with this new BLUE HAWK program. See below for details.
NOTE: Some workshops are concurrent. Be sure to check the times and only register for one workshop per time slot.
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
New BLUE HAWK Marketplace
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Speaker: Martin Rosales, MarketPush
B2B Marketplaces have become the fastest-growing ecommerce channel within the distribution space. In this workshop, we will discuss BLUE HAWK and IMARK Plumbing’s new joint marketplace and how it will provide our Members a competitive advantage within the distribution space. In addition, you will learn best practices to help create an incremental business from your existing customers, and how the marketplace will help you find and gain new customers through additional value you can provide.
ERC Tax Credit
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Speakers:
Jerry Smith, CardConnect AIP
Nathan Shepard, LG Resources
ERC Specialists (powered by CardConnect AIP & LG Resources) have helped over 6,300 small and medium businesses recover refunds of overpaid Federal Payroll taxes through ERCs, resulting in 1.4 billion in credits.
It’s important to note that Employee Retention Credits (ERC) are not loans. They are refunds issued for overpayment of federal payroll taxes, allowing businesses to receive checks from the IRS for up to $26,000 for each qualifying employee.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses received forgivable PPP and EID loans, yet many companies do not know about nor take advantage of the ERC program, another legitimate provision of the CARES Act. Qualifying for and applying for ERC refunds can be complex.
Attend this workshop to find out more.
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
The Dashboard
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Speakers:
Jackson Zingsheim & Aaron Claycomb, Rebate.ai
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 see the new functionality updates and get your questions answered and to learn more about how to use The Dashboard to its full capabilities.
Energy Solutions
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Speaker: Howard Merson, Energy Solutions
Learn about utility energy efficiency rebate programs and how distributors nationwide in the HVAC/R, Plumbing, and Electrical technology sectors can bolster sales, bottom-line profitability and expand their market share through midstream program incentives. This session will also cover the recently launched multi-billion dollar Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding opportunities available through federal tax credits and incentives that can be applied to drive energy-efficient equipment sales further. With over 25 years of experience implementing more midstream and upstream programs in North America than any other company, Energy Solutions, a new BLUE HAWK Solution Partner, provides cost-effective, market-driven solutions that maximize incentive dollars for Members.
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Alternative Succession Panel Options (Owners Only)
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Moderator: Seth Gordon, Glacier Supply Group
Panelists:
Lauren Roberts, cfm Distributors
Rolly Johnson, Glacier Supply Group
David McIlwaine, HVAC Distributors
Stephen Torrice, S.G. Torrice
Rhonda Wight, Refrigeration Sales Corp
Join fellow BLUE HAWK Members to learn about the different ways their companies have approached succession planning. We will discuss the BLUE HAWK Growing Forward Acquisition Program, ESOP, Private Equity, and outside management. It’s important to have a plan. Learn about the opportunities and potential downfalls for each option from wholesalers who have gone through the process.
Bluon
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Speakers: Will Rawley & Drew Eckman, Bluon
160,000 HVAC technicians are members of the Bluon Community so they can access product manuals, view parts lists, get tech support, and communicate with their local distributor. Bluon’s vision is to connect these technicians with brick and mortar distribution through a platform that provides more data, increased efficiencies, and fewer mistakes.
Attend the Bluon Workshop to learn more about how you can join the 400+ BLUE HAWK stores who currently use Bluon to access HVAC data and communicate with their customers.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Next Level Leadership Development Program
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Calling all future leaders, industry go-getters, pacesetters and up-and-comers!
Join us for this happy hour and put yourself on the leading edge of BLUE HAWK’s new leadership program. Help us develop the program’s fundamentals based off your needs as we discuss educational and networking opportunities for your career development.
