Life is amazing. We are always embarking on the future, and every day is a good ol’ day. However, as we embark on the future, it is also good to look at now and our past.
What is happening now is stunning. It is stunning how much plumbing has been in the news recently. We have listened to the struggle of Jackson, Mississippi for clean water. There is news of drought in the West and across the world. There are constant stories of plumbing and infrastructure issues. This is constant mainstream news. I do not have to tell you that plumbing is important, so as we embark on our futures, keep in mind that your profession moves society forward. We protect the health of the public and the environment, and, more directly, we have great careers. What is happening now is the world is aware. This is stunning.
What has happened in the past is also stunning: our new website, revitalized in-person events, Legionella guidelines, medical gas workshops, more Chapters, student outreach, healthy finances, more communication tools, successful volunteerism, and ASPE members making our profession and industry better.
My parting message to you as President is this: You inspire me. You have inspired this Board. Thank you, my friends. What we do is integral and important to the world in which we live. What we do inspires me. It has been an honor to work with the Staff, the Board, my friends, Chapter Leaders, our industry partners, and our members. What I say to many of you is to give back to others. In the plumbing industry, people support people and this changes the world. Cherish each other and continue to move plumbing forward!
Reminder of Our Convention & Expo
I was on the phone with a coworker who asked about our Convention & Expo. It’s almost here, and you still have time to register at expo.aspe.org. The 2022 ASPE Convention & Expo on September 16–21 will provide a great event.
The event opens with our Business Meeting and then transforms into education sessions and a great product Expo. All indicators point to a wonderful event. Our numbers for attendees are trending up, reflecting what we saw in attendance at the San Diego Tech Symposium last year.
How do we make our event work for everyone? We provide a huge platform specifically for our industry:
- 30 technical educational sessions
- The latest plumbing design products and services
- Thousands of plumbing industry professionals
- 250+ exhibitors
- Sunday Night Party
- And more!
Technical Education
The Technical Education Program will be held for full registrants on September 20–21. The Education Committee works hard to provide the best educational topics for our attendees, and this year they had a huge challenge with a record number of submissions, which means that many of the topics are new. The six educational tracks are:
- Codes & Standards/Water Quality
- System Design
- Sustainability
- Specialty Design
- Fire Protection, Life Safety & More
- Healthcare
ASPE is the only association providing face-to-face plumbing knowledge directly to you. Code changes, hot water return systems, physical water conditioning, lab water design, disaster and contamination decisions, and medical gas design pitfalls—where can you find all of these hot topics in one event? Your only answer is the ASPE Convention & Expo. I speak to the employer and the designer with that question. What makes you a better employee? That answer is knowledge.
Special Events
ASPE does not fall short on event activities either. We have the Keynote & Breakfast Award Ceremony on September 19. The keynote speaker will be retired Air Force Colonel and decorated fighter pilot, Chris Stricklin. Chris has a story of inspiration all will enjoy. We also have the famous ASPE Sunday Night Party presented by NIBCO Inc. on September 18 at the Crane Bay Event Center. If you have ever attended a Sunday Night Party, you know it can be quite the experience.
ASPE Expo
Enough cannot be said for our manufacturers and our reps. We have an amazing group of industry leaders. Their support is exceptional. To each and every sponsor, we want you to have the best experience. Our engineers and designers appreciate your efforts. Members, give your supporters a shout: expo.aspe.org/sponsors.
The planning is done, and the shipping is en route. Don’t forget to download the app! Let’s make the most of this event.
Business Meeting
Great news all: our parliamentarian is ready for us! The 2022 Business Meeting and Board of Directors elections are near. I thank everyone who is running for a Board position for your dedication and commitment to this Society.
This is Chapter Delegates’ time to share and conduct the business of this Society. Many items are up for discussion this year. To all Delegates, thank you for your dedication to ASPE. I consider each one of you amazing. Thank you so much for your support of ASPE and each other. At the end of the day, ASPE is one huge family and collectively the voice of the industry.
ASPE members, you are loved. I’ll see you soon in Indy!
