DPHA Conference Set for September

DPHA Conference Set for September

Bethesda, MD The Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association (DPHA), the recently formed industry-related trade association, will conduct its first Annual Conference in September, the organization announced.

The DPHA, headquartered here, scheduled its 2002 conference for Sept. 20-22, at the Capital Hilton, 16th and K Streets, NW, based in Washington, DC.

"The First Annual Conference represents a continuation of the coming of age of decorative plumbing and hardware as a separate and distinct entity," said association president Jeff Burton, of Bath and Beyond, in San Francisco.

DPHA, established in January 2002, has since become the largest organization of decorative plumbing and hardware in the nation. The mission of the association which represents decorative plumbing and hardware showrooms, manufacturers and manufacturer representatives is to increase professionalism and assist in the development of stronger partnerships between showrooms, manufacturer's representatives and manufacturers/ importers of decorative plumbing and hardware.

The conference program will focus on DPHA's goal "of offering senior executive level education to improve business profitability."
The keynote address at the conference will be delivered by Don Schmincke, of Saga Worldwide, Inc. and Johns Hopkins University.

"[Don] will relate insights on the challenges managers face worldwide and discuss ways to cope with them in an increasingly competitive world where markets and profits are constantly threatened," the DPHA said.

DPHA's Conference also includes a business practices roundtable, consisting of a panel of principals from major decorative plumbing and hardware showrooms. A variety of operational issues, ranging from handling returns and technology integration to compensation systems and staff training, will be discussed.

Other programs and a general membership meeting will also highlight the three-day event, the organization noted. Additional information can be obtained from the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association, at (888) 411-8477.

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