73rd Annual NAEC Convention and 2022 Exposition

Successful Louisville show reaches pre-pandemic numbers.

photos by Jolea Brown, Creative Photography, and Angie C. Baldwin

The North American elevator industry and beyond gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 18-21 for the 73rd Annual National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) Convention & 2022 Exposition. Home of the Kentucky Derby, bourbon, the Hot Brown sandwich and plenty of Southern hospitality, Louisville hosted approximately 2,000 elevator industry professionals from 16 countries and 40 U.S. states for an event that NAEC Executive Director Rená Cozart said had “attendance numbers back to pre-COVID levels, with unprecedented numbers of new members and exhibitors.” A wide variety of education; offsite activities, including the official golf tournament; receptions; and a large expo characterized an event that felt, at once, like old times and something fresh and new. There was still the excitement in the air of being released from the bonds of a relentless pandemic, which made just being together something special. Slight tweaks in the convention agenda, which demonstrated the new ideas and listening ears of a largely new NAEC staff, reminded us that time had indeed marched on, but in a good way.

Serving as the event’s host hotel and located downtown along the Ohio River, Louisville’s iconic Galt House was the gathering place for the first three days of the event, until the opening of the expo at the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) a short walk away. The downtown streets were full of elevator folks for the week, and it was exciting to be able to wave to old friends from across the street or down the block rather than through a computer screen. We were off to the races, as they say.

Sunday

Sunday morning, bright and early, golfers assembled in the Galt House lobby to board a bus to the Champions Pointe Golf Club for the convention’s Official Golf Tournament. An 8 a.m. shotgun start began play on the 18-hole, Fuzzy Zoeller/Clyde Johnston-designed course located in Henryville, Indiana, about 30 min from the host hotel. The weather cooperated beautifully for the many players who participated. Plenty of food, drinks and prizes added to the day full of friendly competition.

Sunday evening kicked off the convention with a new event, a New Member and First-Time Attendee Reception, followed by the Welcome Reception held in the Galt House Grand Ballroom, replete with a motif of horses and roses in true Louisville tradition. The large, enthusiastic crowd was greeted by the tunes of a local band, an open bar and plenty of good food, including a Louisville original, the Hot Brown: an open-faced turkey sandwich featuring bacon and Mornay sauce that was created at The Brown Hotel in Louisville in 1926 and continues to be a hometown tradition. It did not disappoint. Neither did the shrimp and grits, pasta, salad or desserts. It was a nice welcome back.

Monday

Monday morning’s well-attended Welcome Breakfast culminated in the event’s keynote speech, delivered by Baltimore, Maryland-based economist Anirban Basu. Both amusing and enlightening, Basu’s presentation, titled “No Time to Buy,” covered the current economy and how we got here, before giving a forecast. “The economy is akin to an egg,” he said, “and we broke it.”

Basu explained the evolution of inflation in the U.S., discussing some of the situations that elevator industry folks, top to bottom, have experienced in one shape or form over the last two years – a broken supply chain, equipment shortages, the falling apart of just-in-time inventory and a labor market with two job openings for every American. “Human capital might be some companies’ biggest problems,” he said. We have experienced enough job growth to say we have recovered nearly fully from the pandemic, but the labor force has shrunk, and unemployment is so low we can’t find workers, he explained. Thus, inflation will continue. Though the overall economy is good (Americans are still spending), his forecast for 2023 is a recession. An unwelcome ending to an otherwise interesting and occasionally positive keynote address. 

After a short break, the General Business Session followed the Welcome Breakfast. Cozart thanked the many event sponsors and introduced NAEC President Hope Evans, who officially welcomed attendees to Louisville. Evans then recognized NAEC Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer Amanda Smith, who was celebrating 15 years with NAEC. Evans said Smith’s “consistency and dedication,” have led to much of NAEC’s success.

Gary Schuette, contractor chair of the nominating committee, announced the three new contractor nominees. All three were accepted by popular vote. Greg Carlisle, supplier chair of the nominating committee, announced the two new supplier nominees, who were accepted by popular vote.

In his Treasurer’s Report, Rene Hertsberg discussed NAEC’s “bold move” to go ahead with the 2021 convention and expo, saying the association achieved its fiscal goals last year and closed the year with a net positive. “Given the past two years, we’re in a great spot; things look so bright. I like the direction we’re headed,” he said, pointing out the success of regional education events and sponsorship opportunities as new revenue drivers. The point, he said, is to “increase relevance and revenue.”

Membership Services Chair John Dodds thanked the many volunteers who helped make NAEC’s offering of the QEI certification a reality. Forty inspectors have already passed the program and are getting their licenses, he said. There are now more than 1,000 members in the CET^®/CAT^® program, and 140 active members in NexGen, which Dodds called, “a growing group.”

After a break for lunch, Monday afternoon marked the beginning of the week’s education sessions, which saw technical and business tracks running simultaneously. The first of three technical sessions featured Michael J. Ryan of The Peelle Co. discussing the evolution of vertical door safety in “Freight Elevators Are on the Rise: What About Vertical Door Safety?” Patrick Edwards with Soft Landings Vertical Services, Inc. presented “Challenges Involved in Replacing Commercial VPLs and IPLs” and focused his discussion on strategies to address the issues with aging equipment. The final technical session of the day was a panel discussion moderated by Elevator World’s T. Bruce MacKinnon titled, “The Elevator Industry Field Employees’ Safety Handbook.” The panel consisted of Chris Strawn, president of Elevator Safety and Technical Services; Lou DeLoreto, vice president: employee health and safety, American Elevator Group (AEG); Keith Evans, national education and safety director at Elevated Facility Services Company; and Kevin Brinkman, senior director of codes at National Elevator Industry Inc. (NEII). Discussion ranged from the history of the Safety Handbook to how to handle specific aspects of the safety practices within it. All three technical sessions were well attended and lively with questions.

The afternoon’s business track began with “Managing the Madness (aka the Elevator Business)” presented by John Mezzo with Dynasty Elevator. The animated presentation was delivered to a full house and focused on tips to help manage time wisely. Evan Epstein with Kase Millwork presented “How to Elevate Your Sales Team and Organization to the Next Level” and focused on ways to grow sales quickly in any business. The final business session of the day, “Building Your Workforce,” was a panel discussion moderated by Champion Elevator’s Amy DiPaolo with AEG’s Åsa Magnusson, Delaware Elevator’s Ellie Webb and KONE Spares’ Kelly Oberhardt. Magnusson shared the results of a recent industry survey, and the panel shared ideas on how to deal with today’s labor shortage.

The free night saw many attendees off to various parties and dinners around downtown Louisville.

Tuesday

Great weather ushered in the opening of the expo Tuesday morning, making the short walk from the Galt House to the KICC a treat. The colorful, lively expo floor was abuzz with visitors and enthusiastic company members manning booths and milling about. The hum of voices and laughter lasted throughout the day, as a steady stream of folks passed through the expo hall doors. New products were displayed and discussed; business was attended to; and sales were planned and made. “With 160 exhibitors from all facets of the VT industry, the expo offered an invaluable opportunity for face-to-face interactions among industry professionals,” according to Cozart.

Education sessions took place throughout the day in two education pavilions in the expo hall, beginning with a very well-attended OSHA Alliance panel discussion. Panelists included Amy Blankenbiller, NEII; Mark Mullins, Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund; David Smarte, NAEC; Mike Langer, International Union of Elevator Constructors; Curtis Devillers, National Elevator Industry Education Program; and four members of OSHA: Sandra Boudloche, Tina Jones, Anthony Towey and James Touey. The group discussed their ongoing work and encouraged further industry engagement. The day’s education was plentiful and varied, with several sessions giving CEUs. Sessions included:

• “A18.1 2020 Update” by Doug Boydston, Handi-Lift, Inc.
• “Code Requirements for Multimedia Emergency Communication” by Mark Yako, Wurtec
• “Residential Elevator Door Gap Safety Solutions” by Craig Jones, Country Home Elevator
• “Elevator I/O – Design Types and Placement” by Tom Reamsnyder, Virginia controls
• “Future Proofing Your Telephony” by James Bowers and Don Holloway, Kings III
• “Presentation on the Quarterly Global Industry Survey/Interlift” by Massimo Bezzi, European Federation of Elevator Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and Joachim Karlsdorf, AFAG

The day ended with a cocktail reception conveniently located outside the expo hall doors. Music, hors d’oeuvres and drinks set the tone for the evening to come. Most folks’ next stop was the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation party, baseball-themed and stocked with many tasty desserts.

Wednesday

The day opened with the Awards Breakfast. Evans welcomed everyone and took a moment to recognize those who make NAEC possible, including NAEC board members, officers, committee chairs and committee members. Board member Cece Matot was then welcomed to the stage to announce the booth winners. They were:

• Top Single Booth: Kohtler Elevator
• Top Multiple Booth: Rimex Metals
• Best Island Display: James Monroe Wire and Cable Corp.
• Spirit of NAEC: Hyperion
• Contractor’s Choice Award: Wurtec, Inc.

The announcement of the President’s Award followed, with Evans bestowing it on her husband, Larry Evans. “An elevator man is a spectacular man,” she said. “We are great partners. I would never have been in the elevator industry if not for him. He has been with me every step of the way.” In acceptance, Larry Evans thanked everyone for the support they’ve given his wife.

Outgoing board members James Boydston, Jeff Eaton, Rene Hertsberg and Cece Matot were honored before the installation of the 2022 board members and officers commenced. Those installed include:

2022 Board Members:

• Travis Carlisle, Murphy Elevator
• Phil Isaac, Gable Elevator Powered by 3Phase
• Bill McGrath, South Jersey Elevator
• Anita Seymour, Expert Service Solutions, Inc.
• Matt Yelland, The Peelle Co.

2022 Board Officers:

• President: John Tolar, United Elevator Services, LLC
• Vice President: Sean Madden, DC Elevator Co.
• Secretary: Mike Jennings, Virginia Controls, LLC
• Treasurer: Karen Kennedy Dodds, Kencor, Inc.

The presentation of NAEC’s most prestigious award, the William C. Sturgeon Distinguished Service Award, followed, with Eltech’s Mike Hoover taking to the stage to introduce the year’s recipient:

“It is a true honor for anyone to be bestowed with this award. Its description sums up this recipient, and this award is a channel for us to show gratitude and respect to this person. I’m proud to say Mark Boelhouwer, president of AEG, is this year’s recipient. He founded AEG, the largest independent service provider in North America, but his greatest achievement is his daughters, Alex and Claire. … He has always built on relationships. Safety is his priority. … He says, ‘Do no harm.’ And, his catch phrase is, ‘I reserve the right to get smarter.’”

Boelhouwer called his time in the industry, “a great journey, a wonderful ride (no pun intended),” adding that he has been able to ride to the top of this experience. He said:

“Looking back at my career so far, I have always liked to wear the white hat. I take the long view and always try to do the right thing, to have a good moral compass. Seize the opportunities presented to you. If you actually care about what you are doing, all of a sudden, it’s 35 years later and you’re still passionate.”

Newly installed NAEC President John Tolar, whose term officially began later that day, closed out the breakfast with poignancy:

“Kevin Flotten, bard of the elevator industry, said we are different from any other industry. We work in concrete, construction, electricity and more. We are exceptional in what we do. You can leave an elevator person in a garage for the weekend with beer and cookies and say, ‘Build an elevator,’ and they’ll figure it out. The smartest people I know are in this room. We know risk better than anyone else. We are elite and stay there by being educated. We’re elevator men and women, and we are exceptional.”

With those stirring words, the crowd set off for the second and final day of the expo and more education sessions. As attendees started to file into the expo hall, a nice-sized crowd made their way to ELEVATOR WORLD’s Ellies Awards ceremony held in Education Pavilion 1. Mike Hogan and Steve Romnes of MEI – Total Elevator Solutions held court in Education Pavilion 2, where they discussed “Improving Hydraulic Elevator Performance.” Two final education sessions followed: “New Technology and Various Elevator Applications” presented by Frank Giampa of Delaware Elevator and “Installation and Testing Elevator Safety Components” by Doug Dietrich of Hollister-Whitney.

Attendees spent time visiting booths and having fruitful discussions. All those your author talked to felt that being there in person was beneficial and welcomed. To have a discussion in person over a coffee or a beer beats a Zoom call any day, according to those asked. Spirits were high, even as the day waned, and it was time to pack up shop.

That evening’s Dregs Party was held offsite at Tavern on Fourth in downtown Louisville, and shuttles were available for easy transportation to and from the Galt House. The tavern was stocked with popular party games such as cornhole, pool tables, shuffleboard tables, dart boards and more, and just about everyone in attendance seemed eager to play. The overall boisterousness of the event did make one wonder if this was really the end of a long week. The bar was open, with wine and beer provided by NAEC, and party food was easily accessible around the rooms, including sliders, chicken fingers, desserts and much more. As always, T-shirts were given out commemorating the party, a fitting ending (pun intended) to an engaging, exciting week.

Preparations for the 2023 NAEC Convention and Exposition, to be held in Reno, Nevada, on September 10-13, are already underway.