HVAC

For this first-time attendee, I was super impressed with this year’s Nexstar Network’s Super Meeting. The member event was well-organized, well-attended, and some really compelling keynote speakers, which included Gary Vee speaking on the importance of social media, Rocky Ozaki touched on AI, and the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The always engaging CEO Julian Scadded kicks off the Super Meeting.

More than 900 members and vendor partners attended Nexstar Network’s annual Super Meeting, held September 24–27, 2024, at the extraordinary Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Over the course of four days, the event featured dedicated spaces and times for members to meet with their business coaches, as well as multiple social and networking events. Every day the event was designed to help owners in the trades make connections, learn how to take their businesses to the next level, and harness emerging technologies in the industry.

Mother Nature can be a … well you know the rest. Hurricane Helene prevented Arnold from actually being there in person, but it didn’t stop him from giving the keynote remotely.

Mike Cottle of Cole Services – a Nexstar member in Garden Grove, CA ­– attended the event. He said, “My favorite part of Super Meeting is connecting with other members and finding out the latest trends. When I met with my coaches the other day, I asked, ‘What is someone doing well with in their business? And can you introduce me to them?’ AI is something that I’m a late bloomer in – I’m super excited about it, and it’s a new thing for my business.”

The trade show floor had some unique and fun events, including this Hold ‘Em table.

As he reaffirmed relationships and helped members discover new ways to grow their businesses, Nexstar President and CEO Julian Scadden said, “We’re excited about the content of this year’s meeting, which has a renewed focus on fundamentals and operational basics for organic and controlled growth. We also introduced new technology applications and frameworks to our members’ businesses this year, which provide new perspectives and action items to help them grow and increase their community impact.”

The after-events were fantastic!

The theme of the event was Built to Scale, and members were buzzing and excited to learn from notable keynote speakers. The lineup included world champion bodybuilder, actor, and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger; Rocky Ozaki, the founder and CEO of the NoW of Work; serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk; and economist Brian Beaulieu.

The Hub’s John Mesenbrink (l) with Julian Scadden (c) and Mike Prencavage Jr., owner of The Family Plumber.

Breakout sessions taught by Nexstar coaches focused on AI and other new technologies, operational marketing, creating efficiencies, and working to improve business practices. Participants at Super Meeting also attended a jam-packed, two-day Strategic Partner trade show, Strategic Partner-sponsored social activities, speed-networking events, a Women of Nexstar reception, a nonprofit fundraising fireworks and dessert party for Explore The Trades, and other networking functions. Those who attended Super Meeting 2024 left with new ideas, new solutions to business challenges, and a new dedication to reimagining their day-to-day operations. They also left with new industry friendships, forged under the Florida sun at Walt Disney World.

This week’s update is loaded with industry happenings. We cover the Nexstar Super Meeting, PHCC CONNECT, ServiceTitan’s Pantheon, podcasts updates with Eric Aune and a super cool “Did you Know” segment regarding T&P relief valves. Check it out!

Skilled Careers Coalition Study Reveals Closing the Knowledge Gap is Key to Inspire Young People to Pursue a Skilled Career

With skilled trades in high demand, Skilled Careers Coalition commissioned the Skilled Trade Insight Research Study to better understand why skilled careers are not being pursued by more young people.

“Our study found the leading obstacle preventing more young people from pursuing a skilled career is not a lack of interest, but a lack of information,” said Mark Hedstrom, Co-Executive Director, Skilled Careers Coalition. “Students have a clear idea of where a four-year college degree or military education can take them, however, they have little to no understanding about vocational schools and apprenticeships, and the dozens of high-paying, skills-based careers that exist across hundreds of industry sectors.”

Students, counselors and parents surveyed shared their perceptions on skilled trades vs. college and military career paths as part of the SCC study which found financial security is the top motivator for youth when choosing a career path, with 76% agreeing that a career in the skilled trades can lead to owning a business and entrepreneurial success. Students surveyed were also drawn to other key aspects of a skilled trade career including job stability, less debt, high quality of life, and high-income potential.

And yet, the SCC study found that only 15% of students surveyed were considering a technical or vocational school or apprenticeship post high school. A lack of information – cited by students, parents and counselors surveyed – emerged as the barrier keeping more youth from considering a skilled career path.

According to the SCC study, a majority of parents (80.3%), counselors (91.3%) and students (92%) surveyed agree that skilled trade workers are as important as first responders and service members. Additionally, when asked if society views those with a traditional college degree as more successful than those who pursue another option, 27% of counselors, 21.3% of parents, and 25.2% of students disagreed. Additional findings from the Skilled Careers Coalition study include:

• Students: 69% said it is outdated to assume a four-year degree is the best pathway to success; while more than 43% said they need more information on technical or vocational schools as an option.

• Parents: While 80% said they have the most influence on their child’s decision-making; less than half (48.8%) admit they do not have enough information about starting the technical or vocational school process for their child. Meanwhile, 84% believe skilled trades provide a stable career path, less time in school, less debt and an overall better quality of life.

• Counselors: Despite their positive perceptions about the skilled trades, more than half (53.9%) of counselors surveyed cite a lack of resources to help guide students who are interested in pursuing skilled trades or vocational programs; while 57% cite workload challenges preventing them from being able to properly understand what future path is best for a student. The majority of counselors surveyed (90%) agree they need to share more information with students and parents about a skilled career option.

Click here to download the complete nine-page Skilled Careers Coalition Skilled Trade Insight Research Study report.

According to SCC, colleges, universities and the military spend as much as $2.3 billion combined marketing to young adults with the goal of recruiting high school students post-graduation. However, for millions of high schoolers, these two options either lack appeal, or just don’t work.

Added Hedstrom, “Millions have built meaningful lives and careers in the skilled trades sector, which is experiencing the greatest demand as the skilled labor gap continues to widen. Skilled Careers Coalition is committed to working with our partners and stakeholders to address the knowledge gap that exists and advance a reimagining of skilled careers as a meaningful and fulfilling career path for younger generations.”

About the Study In June 2022, Skilled Careers Coalition conducted an online survey and series of focus groups in partnership with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). SCC’s Skilled Trade Insight Research Study methodology included students, counselors and parents and a total of 665 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 3.9%.

About Skilled Careers Coalition The Skilled Careers Coalition is on a mission to close the skilled trades gap in America with a three-pronged strategy to 1) INSPIRE the next generation of youth to see skilled careers as a pathway to lifelong happiness, financial success and career fulfillment; 2) CONNECT the disaggregated ecosystem of skilled trades across America by convening stakeholders across the workforce development landscape of private industry, educators, government, youth, and other interested career seekers; and 3) CONVERT interested Americans into the workforce of tomorrow through available and nascent job training platforms. For more information or to get involved visit https://skilledcareers.org.

Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical (Hiller), the region’s premier provider of residential and commercial service and repair, is proud to announce a five-year partnership with The University of Alabama’s Athletic Department and Crimson Tide Sports Marketing. As part of the sponsorship, Hiller was named the “Official Plumbing and HVAC Provider of the Crimson Tide^®”

The University of Alabama is one of the most established public institutions across the Southeast. In addition to its exceptional academic and research offerings, the Crimson Tide’s sports programs are deeply ingrained in the history and traditions of families across the state. With 28 national team championships in football, men’s and women’s golf, gymnastics and softball combined, and countless Southeastern Conference titles, the Crimson Tide is universally recognized as one of the biggest powerhouses among collegiate athletic programs.

Since opening its Huntsville branch in 2015, Hiller has earned a reputation among Alabama homeowners for outstanding customer experiences. As a direct result of this success, Hiller launched its second Alabama location in Birmingham earlier this year. As Hiller’s presence across the state continues to expand, a partnership of this magnitude offers a great avenue to participate in and support the areas that are sustaining the business’s growth.

“We are very excited to partner with The University of Alabama’s Athletic Department,” remarked Jimmy Hiller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “At Hiller, we always strive to be active participants and supporters of the communities we serve. We have been invested in serving homeowners across Alabama for many years now”, he continued, “And could not be more excited to partner with an organization that creates so many opportunities for so many across the state.”

“Businesses that actively serve families in our area are ideal partners for us. We are so excited to welcome Hiller as a partner,” remarked Jim Carabin, Vice President and General Manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing. “Developing exciting experiences for fans and supporting our athletic endeavors for our student-athletes is so important to us. Long-term partnerships with organizations like this are one of the ways that we achieve those goals.”

Launched in 1990 with a single employee and just $500, Hiller has grown exponentially across the past three decades. Today, Hiller includes over 800 associates and 600 trucks across 17 locations and has responded to over 1.7M service calls across 7 states.