DATE Book

Llstlngs are often submifted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations wdh sponsor before making plans to attend.

Southern Gypress Manufacturers Association - March t0, q!!q' al meetin!, Renaissance Hotel, Tampa, Fl.; $12],323'9320; www.cypressinfo.org.

Northwestern Lumber Association - March 10-11, Nebraska lumber dealers convention, Embassy Suites, La Vista, Nb.; (763) 544-6822; www.nlassn.org.

Hardwood Manufacturers Association - March 10.12, national conference & expo, Renaissance Hotel, Tampa, Fl.; (412) 8290770; www.hmamembers.org.

ENAP lnc. - March 11-12, annual meeting & show, Maniott Downtown, Louisville, Ky.; (845) 5644900; www.enap.com.

National Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationMarch 15-'17, legislative conference & green building forum, Maniotl Washington, D.C.; (800) 634-8645; www.dealer.org.

Window & Door Manufacturers Assn. - March 15.18, legislative conference, Washington, D.C.; (800) 223-2301: www.nwwda.org.

Capitol lndustrial Ytloodworking Expo - March 18-19, Fredricksburg, Va.; (828) 459-9894; www.capitolwoodexpo.com.

Blish-Mize Go. - March 19-20, market, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Ks.; (800) 995-0525; www.blishmize.com.

True Value Go. - March 19-21, spring market, McCormick Place, Chicago, ll.; (773) 69S5000; www.truevaluecompany.com.

National Wood Flooring Association - March 22-25, conference & wood flooring expo, Gaylord National, Washington, D.C.; (800) 422-4556.

American Architectural Manufacturers Association - March 2324, Southeast region spring meeting, Hyatt Regency Riverwalk, San Antonio, Tx.; (847) 303-5664.

Moulding & Millwork Producers Assn. - March 23-27, annual meeting, Monterey, Ca.; (800) 550-7889; www.wmmpa.com.

Kentucky Forest Industries Assn. - March 24-26, annual meeting, Bowling Green, Ky. ; (800) 203-9217 ; www.kfi a.org.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association - March 24.26, spring conference, Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, La.; (800) 527 -8258: www.nawla.org.

JLG Live Show - March 24,21, Rhode lsland Conference Center, Providence, R.l.; (800) 261-7769;wwwjlclive.com.

Ace Hardware Corp. - March 25-28, spring market, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La.; (630) 990-7662; www.acehardware.com.

Amariffo Hardware - March 26-27, dealer market, Amarillo Civic Center, Amarillo, Tx.; (800) 9494722; www.ahcusa.com.

lnternational Wood Composites Symposium & Technical Workshop - March 29-31, Seattle, Wa.; (509) 335-2262.

National Hardwood Lumber Association - March 29-April 1, lumber grading course, Sidney, Mi.; (901 ) 377-1 81 8; www.nhla.com.

Florida Building Material Association - April 1-2, Texas Hold-Em & Golf Tournament, Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club, Ocala, Fl.; (352) 383-0366; www.fbma.org.

Northeastern Retail Lumbet Association - April 5-7, dealer roundtables, Rochester, N.Y.; (518) 286-1010; www.nrla.org.

Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Assn. - April 6, Lobby Day, Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, Vt.; (518) 286-1010; www.nrla.org.

Lumbermen's Association of Texas - April 8-,|0, annual conven' tion, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Tx.; (800) 749-5862; www.lat.org.

National Hardwood Lumber Association - April 11-14, leadership program, Memphis, Tn.; April 12-15, lumber grading course, Connellsville, Pa.; (901) 377-1818; www.nhla.com.

Building-Roductsom lnternational Wood Products Association - April 28'30, annual convention, Eden Roc Hotel, Miami Beach, Fl.; (703) 820-6696; www.iwpawood.org.

National Paint & Coatings Association - April 13-15, annual meeting & technical conference, Charlotte, N.C.; (202) 462-6272.

Northeast Window & Door Association - April 14, spring education meeting, Washington, D.C. ; (609) 799-4900; www.nwda.net.

Northeastern Young Lumber Execs - April 14, boqld 4eqt11g; April 15, spring conference, Mashantucket, Ct.; (518) 286-1010; www.nfla.org.

National Kitchen & Bath Assn. - April 16.18, annual show, McCormick Place, Chicago, ll.; (800) 843-6522; www.nkba.org.

American Hardware Manufacturers Association - April 18.21, hardlines technology forum, Renaissance Hotel, Schaumburg, ll.; (847) 605-1 025; www.ahma.org.

Transload Distribution Assn. - April 19-20, conference, DoubleTree, San Antonio, Tx.; (503) 6564282: www.transload.org.

Structural Insulated Panel Assn. -April 19.22, annual conference, Hilton Indian Lakes, Chicago, ll.; (253) 858-7472; www.sips.org.

Forest Products Society - April20-22, Smallwood conference, Hot Springs, Ar. ; (608) 231 -1 361 ; www.forestprod.org.

Kentucky Building Materials Association - April 21.23, convention & expo, Lexington Hilton Downtown, Lexington, Ky.; (800) ?A4-177 4; www.kbma.net.

Woodworking Machinery Industry Assn. - April 21.24, conference, Monterey, Ca.; (41 0) 931 -81 00; www.wmia.org.

Material Handling Industry of America - April 26-29, annual expo, l-X Center, Cleveland, Oh.; 00a) 676-1190; www.mhia.org.

Twin Gities Hoo-Hoo Club - April 27, dinner & meeting, Grumpy's, Roseville, Mn.; (61 2) 490-8583.

3'to

Industrial

With swimming pools aplenty in its deserr surroundings, Ace Hardware, Maricopa, Az., has always stocked cleaning and maintenance supplies. Yet the dealer is really hoping to make a splash when it opens a full service, seven-day-a-week pool supply store within its existing hardware store.

"We have had a pool section for years now, but it seems each year the section just continued to grow," says co-owner Tom Bechtel. Now, "we are going to have repair parts, water testing chemicals, toys and outdoor living items. This is a store within a store."

He hopes that the shop's higher visibility and convenience will increase business in the main store. as well. "Our whole slogan is 'Get In, Get Out, And Get On With Your Day,"' Bechtel elaborates. "This store just further supports that statement."

To help operate the new store, Bechtel recruited two professionals from the pool industry and has started to crosstrain other workers from the hardware store. "The people running this store are experts in their craft," he says.

Services to be offered include water testing, supply sales, and equipment repair. "Typical pool stores have relatively short hours and are not open on Sundays," Bechtel notes. "Our pool store will be open seven days a week, the same hours as the Ace Hardware store."

Although an official grand opening is ser for this month, the pool store hosted a "soft opening" during February, utilizing its own check-out counter.

Defining Glear Financial Policies

(Continued from page 3 I ) due at the beginning of the service, one-third halfway through the project, and the balance at delivery. If the work is done in two procedures, then either the entire amount is due to begin, or split into two payments. For well-established clients with a great track record, consider half down and the balance in 90 days. During financial arrangements, present the client with a written estimate, have the customer sign one copy, and keep one copy in the business record.

These are some of the guidelines you will need to define with your team. There is much more to consider: verbal skills, past due accounts receivables, and how to connect with the client, to express warmth, empathy and concern. Firm, consistent financial policies are just one layer of the customer service that your clients deserve and expect. Your challenge is to have an open, honest, productive team meeting and look at your financial policies. How healthy is your business?

- Dr. Rhonda Savage is an internationally acclaimed speaker and c.e.o. Contact her at rhonda@dentalmanagementu.com.

For more information on advertisers, call them directly or visit their websites [in brackets].

Advantage Trim & Lumber [www.advantagelumber.com].....,....23

Anthony Forest Products [www.anthonyforest.com] ...................8

Biewer Lumber [www.biewerselect.com].,...............,.,.,...........,.....5

Gapital [www.capital.lumber.com].....,.,..............,.,..............,.,......36

Chicago Suburban Lumber Sales........

Coastal Lumber Co, [www.coastallumber,com] .......,....................2

Crumpler Plastic Pipe [wrvw.cpp.pipe.com] ................................45

Fasco America [www.fascoamerica.com]................,....,..............26

Fiberon LLG [www.fiberondecking.coml .......................,.............21

Fletcher Wood Solutions [www.tenonusa.com],.,.,.,............,.,....3i

GRK Fasteners [www.grkfasteners.com].....,................,,,,...........22

Haida Forest Products [www.haidaforest.com]...,........ ...............27

Hankins Inc. [www.hankinsinc.com] ..................17

HlDfast [www.hid.fast.com]...........,

Hood Distribution [wunr.hooddistribution.com]....................,.....19

19

Mary's River Lumber [www.marysriverlumber.com] .........,...,....30

McQuesten Group.............. ...,.,.,.19

Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co, [www.pfmins.com] ,.,............... ........................24

Redwood Empire [rvww.redwoodemp.com]...............,.......Cover|V

Richard Landry Lumber Sales Inc. .,..............,.,..43

RoyOMartin [www.royomartin.coml .............33, 35

Simpson Strong-Tie [www.strongtie.com]...,.,.,.,.............,.,.....3, 32

Tank Fab [www.tankfab.com].........,........ ...,........37

U.S. Lumber Group [www.uslumber.com].................,.,.......Cover I

Versatex [www.versatex.com]..........,..... ...Cover lll

Viance [www.treatedwood.com] ,.,..,................,.,......,........,.,.....,.,.,7

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association [www.wrcla.org] ........29