Second wind

Feature Story

This year, there was another major trade-show season for the industry

Gnanu Ayysola was in charge at the Sarva Bio Remed booth.

With good reason, the months of April, May and June are known as trade-show season in the oilheating industry. Not only are the oilheat companies and their employees able to sit back and relax a bit after the completion of another heating season, but what free time they had can be filled with the two most important shows on the calendar: the Atlantic Region Energy Expo and the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers’ Convention and Trade Show. And in odd-numbered years, you can throw the New England Fuel Institute’s North American Heating and Energy Exposition into the mix, making for quite a slate of educational and networking opportunities in a relatively condensed period of time.

Well, this year, the late summer and early fall also put the industry’s travel agents to the test. On the heels of August’s Oilheat Visions Conference (see October Fuel Oil news), a trio of significant events were held in September. Here’s a look:

The man to see at the Patron Products booth was Larry Kokkonen.History in the making
From Sept. 19-21, history was made in Hershey, Pa., as two of the East’s largest and most successful trade associations ‘ the Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association and Empire State Petroleum Association ‘ teamed up for their first combined event. The new format was an unqualified success with more than 1,100 registrants attending the three- day program, while all booths at the trade show were sold out.

Seminar participation was also very strong and featured speaker, Professor Michael Greenberger, was very well received at the President’s Banquet. Prof. Greenberger provided an update on the bills in the United States Senate and House of Representatives that provide for disclosure of energy futures trading by the members of the Commodity Futures Trading Council.

(TOP) The Delavan Spray Technologies was well-manned by Chris D’Anthony, John Jones and Ernesto Ramirez. (MIDDLE) Fuel Oil News associate publisher Dave Campbell, right, makes a point to a booth visitor. (BOTTOM) Opdyke, Inc.’s Kathy Melcher, was ready, willing and able to offer a hand at her company’s booth.

The belief among many petroleum marketers is that unless this aspect of energy trading is made more transparent, our industry will suffer from rising prices not related to supply and demand.

The LUKOIL golf championship trophy was awarded to Andy Olcott, R.W. Beckett Corporation, at the Industry Reception, while Heidi Ruddy of Onesky Engineering won the Bass Pro Shops fishing trip.

The next PPMCSA/ESPA Convention, Annual Meeting and Trade Show will be held next fall in State College, Pa.

Our kind of town
A week after the PPMCSA/ESPA event concluded, the fourth version of ISH North America kicked off at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The Sept. 28-30 event, billed as the only North American trade show that consolidates the Kitchen & Bath, Plumbing, PVF, HVAC and Hydronics industries, featured over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries, while the attendees counted 32 countries as home. More than 140 of the exhibiting companies were first-time participants at ISH North America.

This year’s show floor was divided into five distinct sections: Kitchen & Bath/Plumbing; Commercial/Industrial PVF (Pipes, Valves & Fittings); HVAC/Radiant; Technology Pavilion; and Controls Pavilion.

The educational offerings at ISH North America were divided into six professional seminar tracks: Business Management; Codes; Environmental Systems; HVAC; Plumbing; and Radiant-Hydronic Heating.

There were also a series of special events at this year’s ISH NA. Among them:

ISH North America “UA Day” kicked off with a keynote address from the United Association’s General President, William Hite. After Hite’s speech, attendees explored the show floor where a number of mobile training trailers were on display, courtesy of UA Training Director Mike Arndt and his staff.
Show organizer Messe Frankfurt and the BDH (Federal Industrial Association of Germany House, Energy and Environmental Technology) offered a Renewable Energy Feature Area where advanced energy alternatives were on display.
Plumbing apprentices competed for prizes in the PHCC’s on-site International Apprenticeship Contest. Each apprentice was required to rough in a bathroom and its related DWV piping.
The Radiant Panel Association’s Radiant House offered attendees the chance to observe a variety of radiant systems.
The New Product Showcase featured more than 75 of the industry’s newest and most innovative products.
The Technology Pavilion offered a look at more than 30 companies showcasing innovative computer and related business solutions.

Attendees line up to receive their ‘goody” bags at Weil-McLain’s Mid-Atlantic Open House.Open arms
On Sept. 20, Weil-McLain opened the doors to its Mid-Atlantic Office in Mt. Laurel, N.J., for an Open House that attracted more than 500 contractors and distributor personnel.

In additions to tours of the facility, a luncheon and displays from more than 12 manufacturers, the Open House gave attendees the opportunity to observe seminars designed to provide insight into the company’s heating products. Topics included Ultra Oil, Ultra Gas, a Live Steam Boiler Presentation, Basic ‘101″ Hydronics, Boiler Control Training and Live Fire Burner Demonstrations.