Those of us who have attended business meetings on any of the Hawaiian Islands know that there are plenty of distractions away from the business at hand. It takes a strong commitment to member education and involvement to keep people focused on getting work done — which is precisely what HARDI is offering attendees of its Annual Conference at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui Oct. 23-26, 2011.

The Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) event, with its “Set Your Course” theme, will kick off on Oct. 23 with executive and liaison meetings, an opening reception in the evening, and a Canadian Market Reception sponsored by HRAI.

DOWN TO WORK

Monday gets right down to business with concurrent committee meetings in both the morning and afternoon; a luncheon address from keynote speaker and distribution consultant Mike Workman, who will discuss “Realizing 2006 Profitability with a 2012 Mind-Set”; and evening receptions for both HALO and past and current presidents.

On Tuesday, attendees can dive into a contractor panel discussion on collaborative channel partnerships: Greg Gill of Action Air Conditioning will describe how suppliers helped him enter the solar market, and Dave Kyle II of Trademasters will outline how his distributor partnerships enabled him to create a Government Services Division. During lunch, keynote speaker Alan Beaulieu (ITR president and HARDI chief economist) will examine the world economy and how it will affect attendees. There also will be more concurrent committee meetings throughout the day.

Wednesday’s agenda steps out with the Homes for Our Troops benefit walk, followed by regional TRENDS forecasts; the Executives’ Breakfast/General Membership Meeting/Booth Awards; an interactive discussion with Workman to determine the obstacles attendees may face while setting their paths for success; the conference booth program/reception; wholesaler appreciation activities; the HARDI Foundation board meeting; and a conference luau with closing ceremonies.

WINDING DOWN

Thursday features the big golf outing on Wailea’s Gold Course, which has been recognized by the Maui Historical Society for its preservation of prehistoric lava rock walls during construction, and hailed as one of the world’s best-designed courses by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Its most difficult hazards just might be the lovely island views.

Ray Yeager, the association’s “member expert on Maui,” also suggested the following ways to experience the island:

• An outrigger canoe ride and swimming with the turtles at Turtle Cove;

• Snorkeling and scuba diving at the Grand Wailea beach, said to offer some of the best snorkeling in the islands (the hotel offers a quick course in scuba diving that wraps up with a dive right off shore);

• Paddleboarding off Wailea Beach (Yeager advised hiring an instructor);

• Watching a sunrise on Maui, preferably from the mountains;

• Getting in a workout to start the day, like walking/running along the resort’s ocean front property in the early morning, or utilizing the gym.

Publication date: 10/03/2011