My BEC Buzz

USGNN did a nice piece on the buzz at BEC, but I figure why not add my two cents as well. All in all it really was a tremendous event. The staff at GANA, Ashley Charest, Brian Pittman, Carol Land, Sara Niswonger, Greg Carney and Stan Smith deserve major props for a job well done.
With 520+ people there, it can be adventure trying to keep people happy but at the end of the day I think more than the majority left pleased with their time in Vegas. Now some of the “Buzz” from my side of the world:

- China. The piece that I just ran the other day (if you missed it- go to the post direct under this one- it is a MUST read) about KC had several people buzzing and talking more and more about this very serious issue. Many people were furious over how that job went down and there’s no question that this is an issue that we just have to keep on. While you have some people openly embracing the communist supply of material, I think many others are starting to see what will happen if you let the enemy in your house. I have a ton more on this coming soon thanks to many conversations I had here.

- The economy… most felt that 2007 is going to be good with the exception of those from Michigan where we know the economy is pretty dismal. It was very refreshing to talk to guys like Bill Keen of Tepco and just hear the focus and positive nature in their voice when it pertains to work in the future. Its talks like that with people like Bill, that keep you pumped up.

- NFRC- Greg Carney did a fantastic job on the NFRC issue but I think one thing needs stating. No one and I mean NO ONE in our industry is against the movement to improve energy efficiency. And no one is against the creation of a tool and simple certification that can provide total system calculations. What everyone is against the apparent profiteering by members of the NFRC. When you have all of these “checks and balances” that can only be done by people like Keystone Certifications and ATI, then the value to the public is minimized so that private concerns can make lots of money. Let’s get real, the bottom line is the money and always will be. When oversight and layers and policing are created by using the guise of “volunteerism and protecting the public” people are smart enough to see right through that. This issue will go on and on and on….

- Cardinal getting back into commercial elicited a few comments, but mostly by people who had bought from Cardinal the last time residential was soft and they decided to go into commercial. Remember as we always try and tell NFRC (and they ignore) Commercial is completely different than residential.

Residential- A house with several windows
Commercial- A high rise with THOUSANDS of windows- that all have to be the same color for one... among many other distinct requirements
BIG DIFFERENCE

- Rocky Bleier’s end of the session key note speech was simply amazing. When he started off I know some attendee’s were worried that his speech may not meet muster, well like the All Pro that he is, he delivered and simply blew the crowd away to end the meeting. The guy is a living, walking inspiration and his message about beating false perceptions with hard work really resonated.

- Garrison Wynn the first keynote was also tremendous and well received. Wynn mixed humor with message and was a great show starter- especially at 8AM on a Monday in Vegas. A tough spot and one he conquered.

- The presentations went well overall, while some opinions differed here and there, the overall flavor was positive. Bottom line is the BEC is the event and I think for most it lived up to its hype. If you missed it this year, you have 11 months to now plan on coming next year!

Now that BEC is over, that must mean baseball season is here eh? The video this week is another one of those “funniest home video” pieces with a baseball theme… and lots of poor parents getting abused by their kids…