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Dear PEI Member:

The program for the 2016 PEI Convention at the NACS Show, to be held October 18-21, in Atlanta, Georgia, is complete. Registration is trending ahead of previous PEI Conventions in Atlanta. The trade show is sold out again. An impressive lineup of educational topics and speakers has been developed for attendees by the PEI Education and Convention Committee. And networking opportunities are abundant.

To receive your badge in the mail prior to arriving in Atlanta, register by Friday, September 9. The deadline to save $150 per attendee with advance registration rates is Friday, October 7. By registering now, you will save money and time in line on-site at registration.

Here is a preview of the PEI Convention at the NACS Show. For a detailed schedule of dates, times and event descriptions, along with registration information, visit www.pei.org/show.

Trade Show

There is no better place to learn about the latest products, technologies and services in our industry than the trade show. The trade show floor is open Wednesday through Friday, October 19-21. The Fuel Equipment & Services area of the trade show is sold out with 200 PEI members exhibiting in 641 booths. A wait list of potential exhibitors has been established. Again this year, the trade show includes a New Exhibitor Pavilion for first-time exhibitors. Contact Bob Young at byoung@pei.org or 918-236-3966 if you wish to be added to the wait list.

The complete Exhibitor Guide for the Fuel Equipment & Services area will be included in the fourth quarter PEI Journal, which will be available at the Convention, along with a special “Product & Technology Showcase.”

PEI 2016 Convention Program Set

McGee & Vuchetich Elected to PEI Board

PEI Young Executives Move Conference

Guardian Acquires Meco of North Florida

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Networking 24/7

The Convention isn't just about learning. It's also about networking. With close to 1,100 PEI members registered as of this writing—197 of whom are first-timers—you will have an exceptional opportunity to connect with new prospects and peers. Take a look at the registered attendee list to see who is coming.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 18

10-Groups Breakfast and General Session. Randy Disharoon will introduce the four phases of leadership development in his session, “Leaders Are Not Born. They Are Built!” on Tuesday morning. Disharoon’s extensive background in distribution and manufacturing makes him uniquely qualified to address the critical issues companies face in today’s marketplace. All of those who are interested in and eligible for PEI 10-Groups membership are welcome―and encouraged―to attend. RSVP to Bob Young at byoung@pei.org.

PEI Women. Colette Carlson’s Tuesday afternoon keynote will present the latest research and strategies specific to women in leadership roles. You will gain the self-awareness and skills necessary to become an authentic, credible and confident leader. Deliver positive results for you and your organization by learning how to gain supporters, win over critics, cultivate connections and build your case. All women are invited.

Young Executives Discussion Groups and Reception. All PEI members age 21 to 45 who are registered for the PEI Convention are invited to attend the YE discussion groups and reception on Tuesday afternoon. If you’re not a YE member, but are interested in joining, this is an ideal opportunity to get a feel for the group and how it can advance your career.

PEI After Hours Lounge. Held on the first two nights of Convention, the PEI After Hours Lounge is located at Bar 210 in the lobby of the Westin Peachtree Plaza. This is a great way to relax and catch up with industry peers before heading out to dinner in Atlanta.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19

PEI Kick-Off Breakfast. Start the PEI Convention on the right foot Wednesday morning with this engaging keynote by Troy Hazard, entitled “Future-Proofing Your Business: Real-Life Strategies to Prepare Your Business for Tomorrow, Today.” Hazard is an entrepreneur by heart, and was recognized as a leader of leaders when he was named global president of The Entrepreneurs’ Organization. In this presentation, he will step through a process you can use to identify if you are driving your business forward or into the ground. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased in advance when registering online, by calling Sondra Sutton at 918-236-3967 or on-site at the PEI registration counter.  

Morning Concurrent Sessions

Economic Outlook―Brian Beaulieu, CEO of ITR Economics and chief economist for Vistage International, will present his entertaining and informative short- and long-term global economic forecasts, regional economic updates, outlook on inflation, and analysis of the relationship of political events and economic growth. He also will detail which economic indicators executives should follow and provide proven strategies for leveraging economic forecasts.

Co-Optima Fuels Initiative―In the Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines Initiative (Co-Optima), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), key national laboratories, vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders are working to accelerate the development of advanced fuels and engines that are economically viable, environmentally sustainable and commercially scalable. Co-Optima has the potential to bring both big changes and opportunities to PEI members. Reuben Sarkar, deputy assistant secretary for transportation at DOE, will provide a look into what is ahead.

Future of Distribution―Michael Workman, Ph.D., professor emeritus of the Industrial Distribution faculty in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M, will provide strategic and tactical insights into how you can position your business for the future. He will cover the top 10 issues for distributors, the most common current strategic initiatives, elements behind the buzz phrase of the year “Refocusing on the Core” and what you need to do to succeed.

Mobile Payment Systems―Contactless mobile payment systems represent an area of increasing interest in our industry, with major equipment manufacturers supporting the technology and consumer awareness growing. Presenter Jack Connors, director of Google’s merchant partnerships, is researching, developing and bringing Android Pay (Google’s contactless payment platform) to the marketplace. In this session, you will hear why fuel marketers and equipment manufacturers and distributors are so important to the future of mobile payment systems.

Business Valuation—What do you do with your business when it is time to move on? Failing to plan creates a crisis for family members. Join Mike Marks, managing partner at the Indian River Consulting Group, for a dive into how business valuation really works. How do you determine market value and choose the best path forward? Keep it in the family, hire professional management or sell it for liquidity? Marks will address both the transition of ownership and the transition of management.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20

PEI Membership Breakfast and Meeting. On Thursday morning, enjoy a complimentary breakfast and listen as PEI President Steve Trabilsy and PEI General Manager Rick Long share perspectives on the association and our industry. Officers for 2017 will be elected and new directors will be installed.

Morning Concurrent Sessions

●      Future of Retail Marketing―In this session, you will hear from panel members representing smaller retailers, convenience store chains, major oil companies and big box retailers. Panelists include Matt Bjornson, former chair, Petroleum Marketers Association of America; Scott Boorse, external facility vendor manager, Wawa, Inc.; Jim Howard, construction manager-Northeast, Speedway LLC; and Tim Hurlocker, director of gasoline operations, Costco Wholesale. Each panelist will answer three questions: Where is my marketing segment going? How are we getting there? How can PEI members help?

●      Generational Advantage―We currently have four generations in the workplace and five in the marketplace. More than ever, effective leadership is critical to your organization’s success.  In this session, generational expert Karen McCullough will discuss the tools leaders need to cut through stereotypes and help their teams create an environment of generational harmony, collaboration, productivity, creativity and innovation.

●      Selling Safety to the Front-Line Employee―Is safety culture driven from the top down or the bottom up? Having buy-in from leadership is important. So what happens when leadership is on board, but employees still don’t seem to get it? Come to this session to learn six practical rules for selling safety to the front line from Patrick J. Karol, CSP, ARM, senior director of safety at EEC Environmental.

PEI Latin America Event. Join fellow Latin American PEI members on Thursday morning and share your thoughts about how PEI may assist with the needs of our members in this vital market. PEI’s Rick Long will provide background information (with Spanish translation) about this PEI Board of Directors initiative. 

PEI Industry Reception. Unwind, listen to live music, and enjoy delicious food and drink in the company of fellow PEI members on Thursday, October 20, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The PEI Industry Reception will be located in Maple Point, at the top of the escalators outside the main Fuel Equipment & Services entrance to the trade show floor.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

NACS Closing General Session. Peyton Manning—legendary quarterback, the NFL’s only five-time Most Valuable Player and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection—will be featured at the NACS Closing Session on Friday morning. All registered PEI attendees are welcome to attend.

For more details and specific times refer to the convention website or download the PEI Event App.

PEI YOUNG EXECUTIVES 2017 CONFERENCE MOVED TO ST. AUGUSTINE
Due to concerns about the Zika virus in Puerto Rico and the recent Center for Disease Control warning about travel to the island, the 2017 Young Executives Winter Conference has been moved to St. Augustine, Florida. The conference dates (February 8-10) have not changed.

The conference will feature Ryan Estis, a leading expert on business performance, leadership, sales effectiveness and the future of work. PEI’s Bob Renkes also will speak at the conference. Registration for the event and hotel accommodations will be available in September.

PEI BOARD ELECTIONS COMPLETED: MCGEE AND VUCHETICH ELECTED
Runoff elections for the final two positions on the PEI Board of Directors have been completed. Winners include Greg McGee, PMP Corporation, Avon, Connecticut (District 10) and Patrick Vuchetich, Williams & Company Consulting, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri (Affiliate Division). Vuchetich and Dwight Rutledge, Rutledge & Associates, Kingwood, Texas, tied in the Affiliate Division runoff and the winner was determined by lot.  

GUARDIAN ACQUIRES MECO OF NORTH FLORIDA
Guardian Fueling Technologies, LLC, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, has acquired MECO of North Florida, also located in Jacksonville. MECO of Atlanta, former owner of MECO of North Florida, will remain in business and operate as usual in its markets across Georgia.

COUCHE-TARD TO BUY CST BRANDS
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. said August 22 that it will buy CST Brands Inc., San Antonio, Texas, for about $4.4 billion. CST spun off from Valero Energy in 2013. Couche-Tard also said it will sell some Canadian assets of CST to Parkland Fuel Corp. for some $750 million after the deal closes, expected in early 2017. Upon completion of the transaction, Couche-Tard will establish a new Circle K business unit in San Antonio with attached shared services operations.

BRIEFLY NOTED
Fatboy Electric, Kansas City, Missouri, has been approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to build industrial control panels under UL specifications (Standard for Industrial Control Panels, UL 508A) and label them UL approved.
Cortland Pump & Equipment, Inc., Cortland, New York, has announced the addition of Andrew Smith to its sales team. He will cover the Central New York region.
“Uncle Sam is edging back from lofty federal gas mileage goals for future cars that regulators set several years ago. Because of robust truck and SUV sales, the Environmental Protection Agency now thinks automakers won’t reach the target of 54.5 miles per gallon for all new cars sold in 2025, as the feds originally projected. Watch for the goal to be pared a few miles per gallon after an agency review in 2018.”—The Kiplinger Letter, August 5, 2016.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
North Carolina distributor. Petromen’s Inc., P. O. Box 1030, Pikeville, North Carolina 27863, has applied for distributor division membership. Brian N. Odom is owner of the firm, which was established in 2015. The company represents CentralIl, GPI, HighlandTk, HuskyCorp, Morrison, Natl-Spncr, PetroClear, RobertShaw and TurnerTank to serve its customers’ petroleum handling, storage, transfer and hazmat needs. Sponsored for PEI membership by Mark Pittman, PittmanAsc, Norcross, GA.  
Maryland service company. Greentech Fuel Management Inc., 1675 Hosfeld Drive, Westminster, Maryland 21157, has applied for service and construction division membership. Jet Nordhausen is business development manager for the firm, which was established in 2013. The company is a full-service fuel management company specializing in the installation and maintenance of critical power generation plants and fuel storage tanks. Sponsored for PEI membership by Christian Smith, AlgaeXIntl, Fort Myers, FL. www.greentechfuel.com 
Missouri service contractor. CNS Communications, 15714 South Harris Road, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080, has applied for service and construction division membership. Jerold Quick is project manager for the firm, which was established in 1998. CNS Communications is a general and electrical contractor that provides, among other things, engineering and installation services to the Federal Aviation Administration. Sponsored for PEI membership by James Streitz, TaitEnv, Anaheim, CA. www.cnscommunications.com 

ADMITTED TO PEI

●      AvaLAN Wireless, Madison, AL (mfr)

●      Fluid Management Technology, Troy, MI (mfr)

●      FuelCloud, Newberg, OR (mfr)

●      Smart Sensor Technology, Santa Cruz de Bezana, Cantabria, Spain (mfr)

●      Baton Lock and Hardware Co., Inc., Garden Grove, CA (aff)

●      Bafe Group Inc., New Orleans, LA (aff)

●      GreenbergFarrow, Atlanta, GA (aff)

●      Big Daddy Pump Company, Antioch, IL (S&C)

●      ISP Medellin SAS, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia (S&C)

●      Barton Wayne Lange, Vectrus, Camp Arifjan Kuwait, AE APO, Kuwait (O&E)

 

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© 2016
Petroleum Equipment Institute
P. O. Box 2380
Tulsa, OK 74101-2380

The TulsaLetter (ISSN 0193-9467) is published two or three times each month by the Petroleum Equipment Institute. Robert N. Renkes, Executive Vice President, Editor. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the Editor. Basic circulation confined to PEI members.