ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) announced that it will offer a series of workshops targeted specifically for residential contractors and focusing on "real world" application of new skills and ideas at its upcoming annual conference.

The 2004 ACCA Conference & Indoor Air Expo will be held February 25-28, 2004, in New Orleans. The Residential Track of educational sessions will include:

  • "Performance Based Compensation," led by James Leichter of MrHVAC.com. This workshop is designed to teach contractors how to implement a comprehensive compensation system that rewards top performers and motivates underachievers.

  • "How Residential Contractors Can Make Energy Star Work for Them," led by Steve Ryan of the Environmental Protection Agency. This workshop will introduce a resource that can help contractors distinguish their company in the marketplace.

  • "Diagnosing Common Hot/Cold Complaints," led by Glenn Friedman, P.E., of Taylor Engineering. Hot and cold problems can be caused by many different factors. This presentation outlines an approach for contractors to observe when confronted with hot/cold complaints.

  • "How to Be an Island of Excellence in an Ocean of Mediocrity," led by Nancy Friedman of The Telephone Doctor. This workshop will explore and challenge the premise that more business is lost due to poor service and treatment than poor product.

  • "Developing the Ultimate Service Technician: Willy Sutton Got it Right," led by John and Vickie La Plant of VLE Enterprises. Sutton, a famous bank robber from the 40s, said, "I robbed banks with a gun and a smile." This seminar will focus on the types of motivation, compensation, reinforcement, incentives, and training needed to create the best service technicians.

  • "What a New Service Technician Wants," moderated by Marc Bridgens of Pennsylvania College of Technology. A panel of HVACR students will join in the discussion with an expert who trains technicians. Learn the viewpoint of the technician's expectations before coming to work for a contracting company.

  • "What's in Your Toolbox?" led by Vincent DiFillipo of DiFillipo's Service Company Inc. This workshop will focus on what tools and diagnostic equipment residential service technicians should have in their truck.

  • "Maximizing Your Company's Profit Makers," led by Al Roach of Venvest, Inc. This session will focus on the importance of getting and keeping good employees, by providing them with a quality work environment.

  • "Managing Cash Flow," led by Ron and Sharon Collier of Collier Consulting Group. This workshop will discuss the needs of managing receivables and viewing payables.

  • "Design Considerations for Residential VAV Systems," led by Hank Rutkowski of ACCA. This presentation will review design considerations when VAV systems are used for comfort and energy savings in residential applications.

    For more information, visit www.acca.org.

    Publication date: 12/08/2003