ATLANTA - The Innovative Thinking Conference, scheduled for June 12-13 at the Emerald Pointe Resort near Atlanta, will focus on the No. 1 challenge facing the trades: how to hire, train, and retain qualified plumbing-heating-cooling professionals. Sponsored by BNP Media, the conference will feature 16 industry experts who will present sessions and panels geared for contractors, wholesalers, and manufacturers.

Key topics include:

Hispanics in today's market. Ricardo Gonzalez, president of Bilingual America, provides a look at how to succeed in this fast-growing segment.

Women in the p-h-c market. Industry consultant Ellen Rohr, a former contractor, moderates a panel of contractors, wholesalers, and manufacturers on the opportunities for employing women throughout the channel.

Recruiting and training emerging leaders.

Finding, training, and keeping the employees you've always wanted. Consultant Al Levi provides a look at how to lead.

Using the Internet to locate and qualify workers.

Resources to train and test your staff. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC), American Supply Association (ASA), and BNP Media provide summaries of three new training tools.

Human resources strategies to avoid turnover and protect your company.

Do's and don'ts of managing your workforce.

Two luncheon roundtables to allow attendees to quiz speakers one-on-one.

Registration of $495 includes all course materials, continental breakfast, luncheon roundtables, and opening reception. Group discounts are available. Register by calling Jessica Yamin at 888-530-6714, e-mailing yaminj@bnpmedia.com, or online at www.innovativethinkingconf.com.

Publication date: 04/24/2006