Issue: 8/03

Educational opportunities will abound at ISH North America Oct. 1-3 at the new Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Convention Center in Las Vegas.

In addition to the trade show floor, where attendees can view and discuss the latest offerings from leading manufacturers, ISH NA will host six different tracks of information-packed seminars led by industry experts covering: Kitchen & Bath; Plumbing--Pipes, Valves and Fittings; Environmental Systems; Hydronics; and Business Management/Marketing.

"Must See" Seminars

Recognized as industry leaders and "must see" speakers, ISH North America's line-up of "hands-on" professionals includes Julius Ballanco, Jim Olsztynski, John Siegenthaler, Matt Freije, and Rick Fedrizzi.

Julius Ballanco, P.E., president of JB Engineering and Code Consulting, P.C., and a monthly columnist in PME, will give two presentations in the Plumbing-PVF area: "Major Code Revision on Drainage and Venting" at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, and "Water and Backflow Plumbing Code Update" at 1:30 p.m. that same day.

Jim Olsztynski, Consulting Editor of PME, will moderate a panel on "PVF Liability & Safety" on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 3:30 p.m., featuring industry experts Robert Vick of NIBCO, Steve Letko of Weldbend, Tom Foster of Charlotte Pipe, and Mike Abeling, chairman of the Industrial Piping Division of ASA.

Olsztynski will also moderate a discussion regarding "Code Wars: Why The Confusion Continues" on Friday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m., featuring Julius Ballanco, Allen Inlow (representing IAPMO), Lynne Simnick (representing ICC) and Ron Stiegler (representing NSPC).

John Siegenthaler, P.E., principal of Appropriate Designs and frequent hydronics article author in PME, will present "Cures for Short-Cycling in Hydronic Heating Systems" at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1. John will also lead several educational programs for the Radiant Panel Association in conjunction with his presentations at ISH NA. These classes will be open to both RPA members and non-members.

Matt Freije, one of the plumbing engineering community's foremost authorities on Legionnaire's disease and a frequent contributing author for PME, as well as president of HC Information Resource, will address the hvac audience with a Legionnaires' disease Update at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct.2.

Rick Fedrizzi, a principal with the Global Environment and Technology Foundation, the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions, and president of Green-Think, will speak about "Selling Green Beyond Marketing" at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

SmartHouse Presentation

ISH North America will feature the bathroom portion of the SmartHouse that was one of the highlights of the 2003 ISH trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany.

Video showings of the SmartHouse, short presentations by Udo Wirges of ZVSHK (German Central Association Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning), and a virtual photographic tour of the entire SmartHouse will be available.

The SmartHouse showcases the latest developments in home automation.

Sponsor List Is Growing

The American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) has recently joined the ranks of ISH NA sponsors (see PME News, p. 12, for more on this). ASSE is an Ohio-based organization, and its membership is comprised of contractors, engineers, inspectors, journeymen, apprentices and other professionals from the plumbing industry. The Society traces its roots back to 1906. One of ASSE's fundamental principles is "Prevention Rather Than Cure," which guides the group in the design of programs to educate the industry and the public on the importance and necessity of safe and correct plumbing installations.

Other sponsors include: American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), Association of Industry Manufacturers Representatives (AIM/R), Association of the European Heating Industry (EHI), Association of the German Heating Industry (BDH), Canadian Association of Pump Manufacturers (CAPM), Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA), Construction Contractors Alliance (CCA), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC), Plumbing Contractors of America (PCA), Professional Institute for Air Conditioning in Buildings (FGK), PVF Roundtable, Quality Service Contractors (QSC), Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), Union Affiliated Contractors (UAC), and World Plumbing Council (WPC).

Also, the Radiant Panel Association has elected to join the ISH North America show partnership, which includes Messe Frankfurt, Inc., the American Supply Association, the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association.

More than 500 companies are expected to present their latest products and services at the 2003 ISH North America. Show organizers are projecting about 15,000 attendees.

For more information on ISH NA, contact Neil Stalker, show manager, at Messe Frankfurt. Phone: (770) 984-8016, ext. 419 or toll-free: (866) 984-8016. E-mail: neil.stalker@usa.messefrankfurt.com, or visit the Web site: www.ish-na.com.