2017 PMI Conference

PMI Conference Hotel is Back Open and Accepting Reservations

The 2017 PMI Conference location, the DoubleTree Hotel in Rohnert Park, Calif., is open and accepting reservations! We will continue to monitor and provide any necessary hotel and area updates as more information becomes available. PMI extends its sympathies to those impacted by the fires and continues to look forward to visiting Sonoma in November

Please contact PMI with any further questions.

In “The Spirit of Collaboration,” current and prospective PMI members will meet at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Sonoma Wine Country for the 2017 PMI Conference. This relaxing, yet stimulating venue will be the backdrop for four days of thought-provoking presentations and valuable networking.

Monday, November 13

Conference registration begins at 3 p.m., with the all-member Welcome Reception starting at 6 p.m. Earlier that day, the Board of Directors will meet with the Strategic Advisory Council (SAC). A brief reception for VIPs and first-time attendees will precede the Welcome Reception. At 7 p.m. will be the President’s Dinner honoring Barbara C. Higgens, former PMI CEO/executive director.

Tuesday, November 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, the Water Efficiency and Sustainability Issue Committee will host Bill Wilson, environmental consultant, CleanBlu Corporation. Next, Mary Ann Dickinson, the president and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, 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, the Commerce Committee will feature Salim Bhabhrawala, senior international trade specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Yvonne Orgill, chief executive, Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA). Also, Dr. Paul Sturman, research professor and industrial coordinator, Montana State University, will provide an update on the research 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, so be sure to purchase a ticket when registering for the conference! A ticket for this event is not included in the registration fee.

Wednesday, November 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 Silvio Ferrari, senior engineer, Sacramento Advocates, Inc.; Taylor Chang, water resources analyst, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC); Gary Klein, president, 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 on various aspects of PMI value. Ray Valek, president, Valek and Company Communications, will present on safety culture and thought leadership, and Veronica Blette, chief, WaterSense Branch, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Wastewater Management, on Marketing WaterSense - Bathrooms and Beyond.

Wednesday’s afternoon sessions will include a report on the technical and outreach/communications tracks to the entire membership, as well as the Allied Member Committee Meeting. 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, November 16

We’re saving important content for last – so that you’ll enjoy Sonoma Wine Country and the company of your PMI colleagues as long as possible. The final day’s keynote speaker will be Commissioner Andrew McAllister, of the California Energy Commission. The conference will conclude with the Advocacy/Government Affairs Committee meeting with PMI government affairs consultants Stephanie Salmon (Washington, D.C.) and Jerry Desmond (California).