Annual Conference

Transcription

1 Annual Conference

2 Conference in Brief Now that you ve been to Disney World? WEDNESDAY You have arrived in time to enjoy all the conference activities and that will kick off tonight in Downtown Disney with an informal group dinner (on your own) and a refresher course in SMA fun. If you would like to join the group and did not sign up online let us know when you register this afternoon at the SMA desk located just outside of the Horizons Ballroom on the Mezzanine level. But be sure to check into your room and explore the Wyndham Facility. THURSDAY If you re an early riser you ll catch the SMA Golfers heading for the links for an early breakfast and day of challenging SMA golf at Disney s Magnolia PGA course. Of course with so many Orlando attractions and parks it is unlikely you ll want to linger in your room. Be sure you buy your Disney tickets on line from the link on the SMA website and save 10%. Just arriving today, be sure you register and pickup your SMA - Epcot Reception tickets that include after 4p entrance to the park, map and the armbands you will need to be admitted to the Crown Heritage sponsored reception and dessert buffet. This is a don t miss event to be shared with your friends and extended SMA family for the IllumiNations experience at Mexican Vista. FRIDAY We start with a great breakfast among the exhibitors prior to getting down to business in our annual membership meeting and an informative Keynote presentation. In the afternoon Stairmasterz Inc of Orlando will host a tour of their facility. The evening will bring us all together for the Exhibitors Raffle, followed by the rollicking hijinks of the SMA Auction and lavish reception hosted by Universal Stair Parts. SATURDAY A day of getting smarter in seminars and developing the tactics we will use to meet the challenges of our industry and fulfilling the mission of the SMA - To be the greatest resource of tools and knowledge contributing to the success of our members and the industry. The SMA Awards Banquet and Reception sponsored by Young Manufacturing will culminate the conference, honoring the best in our industry. SUNDAY Meet with news friends and old and part with new perspectives of success SMA Annual Conference The printing of 2014 Conference signage and brochures are once again generously donated by SMA Member Company: North Atlantic Corp - Cooper Stairworks Las Vegas, NV

3 R The Good Stuff EXHIBITORS RAFFLE Don t miss your shot at a free, full registration to next year s annual conference in Las Vegas. Be on hand at the opening of the exhibits to snag your entry form and attend the drawing at 5:30p to qualify. SMA AUCTION Bring your offering for sacrifice to the hungry bidders. Almost anything will sell so don t be bashful. (sorry no stair parts or stairs) Your donation will be deftly handled by the auctioneer and the handsome price paid placed in the SMA Research and Testing fund. Help us pry the dollars from your competitors in rollicking good fun. Before the auction we will all enjoy a medley of delightful treats that will not leave you hungry and we ll prime the pump for the auction with a cash bar. This is genuinely one of the most appreciated events of the conference. Who will leave with the yellow belt? How many pockets can the Chaster turn inside out. SMA GOLF - AND THE WINNER IS If you have chased the little white sphere into the rough, the ponds and sand traps only to hit it again and never touch the fairway your likely a pretty good SMA golfer. Albeit we have a ringer or two but all are equalized when swinging the newel driver. At the end of the day we will all enjoy the stories, excuses and look forward to Saturday s Award Ceremony.

4 The Speakers The Exhibitors ANDY HAMILTON - Staircraft Ltd. Andy is a new member of the SMA, a member of the British Woodworking Federation, (BWF) and the founder and technical chair of the UK Timber Stair Association. His company, Staircraft Ltd, is the largest manufacturer of timber stairs in the UK producing 550+ stairways per week. Andy sees the unique way SMA members interact and share, as a huge advantage in addressing industry wide issues. LEWIS FITTS - Compliant Systems and Design Lewis Fitts is a past president of the SMA and elected to the position more times than any other member. His passionate leadership, initiating the coordinated efforts of competitors to address problems of mutual concern within the Stair Industry, are legendary. DR. LUKE WHALE - C4Ci Ltd Luke began as a civil engineer at TRADA in UK working on timber research, design and overseas development building timber bridges. In 2008 he founded C4Ci Ltd a multidisciplinary building consultancy company. Luke is chairman of several British and European Standards Committees. He is presently developing a software tool to assist in the preparation of stairway structural calculations. DAVID COOPER - SMA Code Development Rep. David is the SMA s only employee and also serves as executive director. With a solid 40 years in the industry he has built stairs, owned his own stair company, and managed larger stair and architectural millwork operations. David represents the SMA at meetings and hearings of the bodies developing codes and standards affecting the Stairway Industry. WILLIAM THOMAS - Thomas Fine Stairs As Bill will proudly tell you, he is Chicagoland s only SMA Code Certified Stair Company. The first and only SMA member to date to qualify for Level III code certification. Besides serving as VP of the SMA, running his stair company and adoring his wife and children, he s found time to teach Level II.

5 The Sponsors The Education Program EPCOT Welcome Reception Auction Reception Printing, Signs & Keynote Luncheon Awards Banquet and Reception Golfer s Breakfast & Code Luncheon Longest Drive & Opening Session Breakfast EXHIBITS Come, see, and learn what our SMA member vendors have brought to the table. Their expertise and services may make a difference in yours. Be sure to visit each table to be eligible for the Exhibitors Raffle. KEYNOTE PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION* The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has made great strides in developing a Stair Scheme that includes product certification, and quality standards that have long eluded the US stair industry. What are our options in the US? What steps can be taken that will be of consequence? Our kindred stairbuilders in the UK are already successfully dealing with some of these issues. Learn how the SMA has entered a cooperative agreement with the BWF and what it can mean to the challenges confronting the stair industry on both sides of the Atlantic. Presented by BWF & SMA Member; Andy Hamilton, Staircraft Ltd. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS MEETING You will hear; a review of last years activities, the officer s and committee s reports, updates on the direction of the organization, and participate in the installation of new members to the Board of Directors. VIRTUAL SHOP TOUR - STAIRMASTERZ, INC. Sorry but untimely construction by the landlord has turned their facility into a fiasco for our visit and tour of their facility. Instead Tom Kimble owner will take us along the virtual path that Stairmasterz has followed for the last ten years as the Florida Economy has cycled from boom to bust and back again. ENGINEERING STAIRS AND GUARDS* This has been a focus of SMA stair code development in the last two cycles and is building to a head as we approach the 2018 code cycle beginning in only nine months. What will the industry be prepared to present? Lewis Fitts will present results of stair component tests at MSU. Identifying that appearance grade hardwoods are far stronger than what the engineering calculations might predict. SMA member Dr Luke Whale of C4Ci will tell how such calulations might be utilized by SMA members to certify compliance with structural requirements. CODE UPDATE What s coming in new codes and regulation? This will be a Lunch and learn session. Maybe a little easier to swallow? SMA QUALITY STANDARDS* What are the pros and cons of developing quality standards. How do they fit with the needs of our members and the challenges facing our industry. SMA CERTIFICATION Here is your chance to take the classes that are available online, LIVE! Level I and Level II classes will be presented. Longest Putt Attendee Folders Our Annual Conference would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Please acknowledge them with your thanks and valued patronage. *SMA Members attending qualifying programs receive learning units that can be applied to design certification requirements.

6 The Schedule Wednesday, April 2 Time Location Registration Open 3:00p - 6:00p Solar Foyer Dinner on own (group reservation) 6:30p Meet in Lobby Thursday, April 3 SMA Golf 7:00a - 4:00p Disney's Magnolia Registration Open 1:00-4:00p Solar Foyer Exhibitor Setup 8:00a - 9:00p Horizons 1-4 EPCOT Transportation on own, at will - Disney Shuttle 4:00-9:30p EPCOT EPCOT Welcome Reception see map in ticket package Arm band required! Friday, April 4 8:00 9:30p Mexican Vista Board of Directors Breakfast 7:00-8:30 Solar Registration Open 8:00-10:00a Solar Foyer Opening Session Breakfast 8:00 9:00a Horizons 1-4 Saturday, April 5 Time Location Breakfast 8:00-9:00a Engineering Stairs and Guards Lewis Fitts, Dr. Luke Whale 9:00-10:30a Horizons 5 & 6 Committee Meetings 10:30-12:00p Horizons 5 & 6, and Horizons 10, 11 Code Update Luncheon 12:30-1:30p Discussion SMA Quality Standards What s Next? 1:30-2:30p Horizons 5 & 6 Afternoon Break 2:30-2:45p Certification Education Track 1 Level I Code 2:30-4:00 p Horizons 5 & 6 Certification Education Track 2 Level II Code 2:30-4:00 p Horizons 10 Awards Reception 6:00-7:00p Horizons 1-4 Awards Banquet 7:00 8:30p Horizons 1-4 Sunday, April 6 Board of Directors Recap 8:30-9:30a Solar Exhibits Open 8:00-10:00a Horizons 1-4 Keynote Presentation and Discussion 10:00-11:30p Horizons 5 & 6 Annual Business Meeting 11:30-12:00 Horizons 5 & 6 Lunch 12:00p - 1:00p Annual Business Meeting continues 1:00-1:45p Horizons 5 & 6 Shop Tour - StairMasterz Inc. 2:00-4:00p Horizons 5 & 6 Exhibits Open 4:00-7:00p Horizons 1-4 Exhibitors Raffle 5:30p Horizons 1-4 Auction Reception 6:30-8:30p Horizons 1-4 Horizons 10 & 11 Breakout Sessions SMA Conf. Office SMA Auction - Donate something fun, or invaluable 7:30-8:30p Horizons 1-4 The Plan Horizons 5 & 6 Horizons 1-4 Registration Desk Business Meeting Exhibits, Auction Reception & Awards Banquet