In “The Spirit of Collaboration,” current and prospective Plumbing Manufacturers International members will meet from Nov. 13-16 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Sonoma Wine Country for the 2017 PMI Conference.

The venue will be the backdrop for four days of thought-provoking presentations on issues relating to safe water and plumbing, environmental and economic sustainability, and water and energy policy.

Registration is available here.

Monday, Nov. 13

Conference registration begins at 3 p.m., with the all-member welcome reception starting at 6 p.m. Earlier that day, the PMI Board of Directors will meet with the PMI Strategic Advisory Council (SAC). A brief reception for VIPs and first-time attendees will precede the welcome reception.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Following opening remarks, the conference’s first keynote speaker, Doc Hendley, will talk about his Wine to Water non-profit group, which has dug, repaired and sanitized drinking wells for 25,000 people in five countries. His presentation will cover how he aims to do more to help the 1.1 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean water.

In the other morning sessions, PMI’s Water Efficiency and Sustainability Issue Committee will host Dr. Markus Lenger, the co-founder, CEO and chief science officer of CleanBlu Corporation. Next, Mary Ann Dickinson, the president and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), and John Koeller, principal, Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing and Koeller and Company, will provide an update on the PMI/AWE-commissioned “Saturation Study of Non-Efficient Water Closets in Key States.”

After lunch, PMI’s Commerce Committee will feature Gary Stanley, director, Office of Materials, U.S. Department of Commerce. Also, Dr. Paul Sturman, research professor and industrial coordinator, Montana State University, will provide an update on a study focused on managing the potential threats from low flow and opportunistic pathogens in the water supply that he was commissioned to do for PMI.

At 3:30 p.m., buses will begin loading for a trip to the DeLoach Vineyards for a tour and dinner to conclude the first full day of the conference. Space is limited for this unique event, which requires the purchase of a ticket separate from the registration fee.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

This morning’s keynote address will be delivered by Bruce Vincent, who will bring insights gained as a logger and advocate for responsible environmentalism and rural communities to the 2017 PMI Conference.

Following the keynote will be dual track sessions for which attendees choose to attend either the technical or outreach/communications track, according to their specific industry concerns.

The technical track panel will include Bob Raymer, P.E., technical director, California Building Industry Association (CBIA); Paula Kehoe, director of water resources, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Gary Klein, Gary Klein and Associates; Samir J. Abdelnour, associate, Hanson Bridgett; and Ralph Suppa, president and general manager, Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH).

The outreach/communication panel will convene discussions around task groups assigned to developing communication strategies around various aspects of PMI value. Ray Valek, president, Valek and Company Communications, will present on safety culture and thought leadership.

Wednesday’s afternoon sessions will include a report on the technical and outreach/communications tracks to the entire membership, as well as a meeting of the allied members. To complete the day, PMI members will conduct the Annual General Membership Meeting, where new officers and board members will be elected, members will be honored for their service, and new members will be recognized. The ceremonial “passing of the gavel” from 2017 PMI Board President Pete Jahrling, Sloan Valve Company, to the 2018 PMI Board President will occur. The day will wrap up with a reception and dinner.

Thursday, Nov. 16

The final day’s keynote speaker will be Commissioner Andrew McAllister, of the California Energy Commission. The conference will conclude with the PMI Advocacy/Government Affairs Committee meeting with PMI government affairs consultants Stephanie Salmon (Washington, D.C.) and Jerry Desmond (California).

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