Buzzworthy Workshops
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Seven workshops – focusing on various Buzzworthy BLUE HAWK initiatives – will be held Wednesday afternoon prior to the Meet & Greet. The three-track format (Owners, HARDI and NextLevel Leadership Development) has something for everyone. Sign up to attend through the conference registration form.
NOTE: Some workshops are concurrent. Be sure to check the times and only register for one workshop per time slot.
Owners Track
Co-op Swap
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM
Speakers:
Ariel Hennon, MarketPush
Jessica Jones, Director of Operations, BLUE HAWK
Unlock the power of Co-op Swap, the inventory-sharing platform exclusive to BLUE HAWK Members, designed to help you compete more effectively against national chains like Lowe’s and Ferguson. Co-op Swap enables members to support one another—rather than unaffiliated supply houses—while gaining access to hard-to-source parts and equipment and building valuable partnerships across the country.
Buyers can procure products from new industries without adding SKUs to their warehouse, while sellers can increase sales without added expenses or commissions. This workshop explores how to leverage Co-op Swap to grow customer spend, expand opportunities, and drive sustainable growth—all while strengthening your member network.
Putting AI to Work: Practical AI for HVACR
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Speakers:
Michael Zimmer, Managing Partner, ownAI
Trevyr Meade, Managing Partner, ownAI
This workshop session is designed to demystify Artificial Intelligence for independent HVACR businesses. We will cut through the hype to show you where AI can deliver value in your business today, helping to level up your people and your operations using only inexpensive, off-the-shelf tools.
You will learn how to safely start your AI journey and identify quick wins for core functions like HR, marketing, and customer support through live demonstrations. With interactive discussion and a hands-on exercise, you will leave with the confidence to start, and have at least one tangible workflow you can implement immediately. We will also share common pitfalls and provide a clear, budget-sensitive path for safe and measured expansion.
NextLevel Leadership Development Track
Charting Your Career Path with Confidence
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM
Speaker: Stella Keane, Vice President of Talent and Development, HARDI
This interactive workshop guides participants in gaining clarity and direction for their professional growth. Together, we will define a compelling personal vision for your career, identify key opportunities and challenges along the way, and create a strategic roadmap with actionable goals. Participants will leave committed to bold next steps and equipped to move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
Decision-Making Skills for Complex Business Challenges
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Speaker: Evan Welch, Talent Development Specialist, Colorado State University
In fast-moving, competitive environments, leaders are often rewarded for quick thinking, confidence, and decisiveness. But those same strengths can quietly turn into blind spots—shaping assumptions, limiting options, and reinforcing patterns that no longer serve the business or the people in it. In this session, participants will explore the hidden mental habits that influence everyday leadership decisions and discover practical ways to respond more intentionally when facing uncertainty, change, and complexity.
What is the NextLevel Leadership Development Program?
BLUE HAWK introduced the NextLevel Leadership program during the 2023 Buzzworthy Workshops in Austin. Designed for up-and-coming leaders, the program focuses on developing essential leadership and business skills through a blend of educational and networking opportunities.
Participants engage through Annual Conference Workshops, quarterly webinars, and ongoing peer connection via a dedicated group chat on HAWK Spot. As the program continues to grow, mentor/mentee relationships will be added to further support leadership development.
Ensure all your NextLevel Leaders are signed up to receive updates, access resources, and get the most from this evolving leadership program.
HARDI Track
Leveraging Benchmark BLUE and HARDI Market Intelligence for Profitability
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM
Speakers:
Tim Fisher, Director of Market Intelligence, HARDI
Paul Guidice, CEO, CoMetrics
This session will explore practical strategies to leverage Benchmark BLUE, including CoMetrics new branch-level benchmarks (SiteSight), and HARDI Unitary Market Intelligence to benchmark performance and sustain growth.
It will also highlight effective ways to share benchmarking data with leadership and branch management teams to build a shared understanding of key facts, break down silos, and promote the exchange of best practices.
Top 2026 Government Affairs Issues
3:30 PM – 4:20 PM
Speakers:
Talbot Gee, CEO, HARDI
Zachary Perge, Vice President of Distribution Strategies, HARDI
This session examines the most pressing policy, legislative, and regulatory issues impacting distributors today. Participants will gain insight into key federal and state considerations affecting the HVACR industry, including tariffs, the future of PFAS, refrigerant phasedowns, and evolving challenges related to labor and taxes, with a focus on how distributors can effectively manage and respond to these issues.
Introduction to People Leader Program
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Speaker: Stella Keane, Vice President of Talent and Development, HARDI
The People Leader Certification Program equips existing, new, and emerging managers with the essential leadership skills needed to develop, engage, and retain top talent. This session provides a high-level overview of the program’s purpose, structure, and impact, highlighting how it strengthens leadership capability, builds bench strength, and reduces turnover by preparing managers to lead people effectively—not just manage work.
