People tend to find themselves traveling north to experience the fun that is the fall season. This September, many International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) members will travel to the northern most point in the U.S. themselves for the annual conference in Alaska.

The 88^th Annual IAPMO Conference will be hosted in Anchorage, Alaska from Sept. 24-28. Taking place at the Captain Cook Hotel, this year’s conference will unite members for plenty of learning opportunities in a unique location.

The conference will focus on education and business. Whether it is on a golf course or in the convention center, IAPMO members will dive into knowledge-building exercises and networking activities. 

While there will be veterans of the industry in attendance, IAPMO also has made an effort to attract more first-time attendees through a recruitment program. IAPMO developed the Attendee Recruitment Program to help members even more, extending a discount to existing those who recruit someone to attend. IAPMO’s goal is to welcome people who have never, or not recently attended a conference.

“One of the most exciting things is seeing more and more new faces each year, and we continue to reach out across the industry for members who are willing to get involved in the organization by volunteering on committees, or participating in the code development process,” says DJ Nunez, IAPMO president. “IAPMO’s board of directors is committed to recruiting and retaining the brightest young talent our industry can offer, and staff is very much in touch with that mission, as demonstrated by the recent hire of Social Media Coordinator Chris Sanchez and his efforts #ReachingMillennials.”

For those attending for the first time, they should be familiar with local codes, which can be found on the IAPMO website.

“As always, it is important to be recognized as someone willing to expand their knowledge by investing in their careers. The attendees are eager to discuss issues relevant to the jurisdictions,” says Duane Huisken, senior vice president of marketing and communication at IAPMO.  

Before members can learn about the industry from different experts, they will get a little lesson on how to handle an Alaskan golf course.

The 2017 Roscoe King Memorial golf tournament will take place at the Anchorage Golf Course. The course will allow members to converse and check out wildlife such as moose, fox, waterfowl and maybe even a bear. The course highlights Anchorage Skyline and Chugach mountain range in Alaska’s “Anchorage Bowl.” Each winning team receiving $100 per player. There will also be prizes for second and third place teams.

Come Monday morning, competitors on the golf course will again be peers as they gather to listen to this year’s keynote speaker, Lance Mackey, teach IAPMO members how to demonstrate determination and overcome difficulties.

Mackey is a four-time champion of the Iditarod from 2007-2010, something that has never been done before. He has also completed the Yukon Quest four years in a row, and is the only man to win multiple 1000-mile competitions.

Mackey achieved this after battling Stage IV throat cancer, which cost him his left index finger and his teeth. Now cancer-free, Mackey has been inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, and he has appeared on sports television programs around the world highlighting his amazing story.

“Many see me as an inspiration and a hero,” Mackey says. “To me, however, I’m just a guy who lives on a mountain with my 70 best friends and succeeded in the sport I love in the state in which I was born. I’m a hardworking, ordinary guy; a dog racer, cancer survivor, former commercial fisherman, summer race car driver, and proud father of a new baby boy who has given me yet another reason to give my all in everything I do,” Mackey says.

After educational sessions each day, there will be events that allow for members to meet up once again. Monday will wrap up with welcome dinners in a winter wonderland theme, while Wednesday’s outing takes members to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a renowned cultural center and museum in Anchorage, where all visitors can expand their understanding of Alaska's Indigenous people.

“It fills me with great pride to be part of IAPMO’s progress, and I can’t wait to reunite in Anchorage for another eventful education and business conference,” Nunez says. “I look forward to seeing all my old friends, make many new ones and encourage each of them to lend their voice and vote as we complete our next code development cycle.”

To learn more about this year’s conference, visit www.iapmo.org.