Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) returns to Washington, D.C., for its Fall Conference, Oct. 7-10 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

“While the word ‘water’ evokes an emotional response, the word ‘plumbing’ conjures an entirely different image. It is fact that safe plumbing has saved more lives than the medical profession. Plumbing is responsible for delivering water, essential for life itself. Why then the disconnect?” muses Barbara C. Higgens, PMI’s executive director. “The 2012 PMI Fall Conference will feature a keynote address and a panel of individuals from diverse backgrounds to explore the source of the misperceptions, the impact of these misperceptions, and most importantly, what we can do to turn around these perceptions.”

Keynote addresses will be given by Annie Longsworth, CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi, and Erin Streeter, vice president of National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) who will speak about the importance of a positive image and how to maintain and protect that image.

“Plumbing as a Profession” panelists on Tues., Oct. 9, will represent a cross-section of the industry:

* Jim Kendzel, executive director, American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE);
* Gerry Kennedy, executive vice president, Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC);
* Tom Bigley, director of plumbing services, United Association (UA) union of plumbers, fitters, welders and HVAC service technicians;
* Bryan Albrecht, president, Gateway Technical College.

The panel will be moderated by Paul Patton, senior product development manager of Delta Faucet Company and Barbara C. Higgens, PMI’s executive director.

The Fall Conference will begin Mon., Oct. 8, with a keynote speech from political analyst Donna Brazile who will speak on the upcoming political elections and the current environment in Washington, D.C. PMI will demonstrate its new online training platform. This training program is the outgrowth of a Memorandum of Understanding between PMI and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).

Christian Richter of the Nickel Institute will provide a timely update. Pete DeMarco from IAPMO will inform attendees on the status of the drain line carry research being conducted by the Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition (PERC).

Monday’s sessions will close with the dual track format. Meeting tracks for both the Advocacy and Outreach Council (formerly the Marketing Council) and the Technical Council will be held Mon., Oct. 8. “PMI has had great attendance for the dual track sessions and encourages attendees to take advantage of this popular format,” notes Higgens. “After a long day of informative sessions, attendees are invited to take an optional evening networking boat cruise down the Potomac River to see the nation’s capitol at its best.”

Tuesday’s sessions on Oct. 9 will feature presentations by Ann Mason of the American Chemistry Council, who will discuss hexavalent chromium, and Rex Pace of the U.S. Access Board. Gary Stanley and Norbert Gannon, both with the U.S. Department of Commerce, will discuss anti-dumping filings during the Fair Trade portion of the meeting. After the close of the “Plumbing as a Profession” panel discussion, attendees will sit down for dinner and entertainment by the improvisational group The Capitol Steps.

Wed., Oct. 10, will start with a tutorial session on lobbying visits. Afterward, attendees will visit Capitol Hill to meet with their state legislators.

Registration and hotel information for the PMI Fall Conference are available here.

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