CONFERENCE SESSIONS SCHEDULE

TRACKS

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | PAVING | SEALCOATING & PAVEMENT PRESERVATION | STRIPING | SWEEPING

Tuesday, January 30

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

If Cost Is the Issue, What's Your Solution?

What do you do when your customers say your price is too high? The paving and pavement maintenance industry has worked hard to overcome a low bid culture and it’s important to price your services accordingly.

Brad Humphrey, founder of Pinnacle Development Group is a firm believer that every contractor is a unique company and he’ll show you how to stop selling like you are your competitor’s “mirror image.” Takeaways from this session include:

      • How to move customer’s “apples” to your “oranges”
      • How to develop, leverage and market your Unique Selling Proposition
      • How to identify “pools of customers” so you can target the best prospects for your services
      • Plus, you’ll learn the 10 reasons you don’t have to sell on price alone!

      Track: Business Management

      Speakers: Brad Humphrey

Identifying, Preventing and Solving Mat Problems

At the heart of what we do is the ability to correctly identify pavement problems. When you do this effectively for your customers, you not only gain their trust but also the clarity you need to get each job done right.

In this session, attendees will learn the distresses and cure options for all types of pavement defects to teach contractors that what they see on the pavement surface can give them insights into what’s happening beneath the pavement.

The session will:

• Discuss best practices for repairing an asphalt pavement
• Provide tips on how to “up-sell” operations to solve long-term problems for customers
• Cover applications of the right treatment at the right time to increase the overall service life of a pavement

Starting Your Sealcoating Business from the Ground Up

Many new businesses in the pavement maintenance space start small with a focus on gaining work instead of managing the business the right way from the beginning. This can lead to bigger problems down the road if owners don’t have the right tools to properly manage their people and profits.

In this session, taught by Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction Advisory Board Member Steve Young, will teach attendees:

      • How to create a business plan and service offering that will keep you profitable
      • How to develop yourself and your company in a professional manner to maintain a strong business reputation
      • The why, when and how behind acquiring new customers and turning away the wrong ones
      • How to get the most out of your business investments today, plus ways to plan for the future
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Steve Young
Basic Parking Lot Striping: Layout and Striping Machine Basics

The session, taught by Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction Advisory Board Member Jim Panzenhagen, will start from scratch on how to layout a parking lot, from squaring up the lot and finding a control line, to laying out the standard and handicap parking spaces.

From the frist-time striper to a seasoned pro, everyone will come away with valuable knowledge on:

• Best practices for layout, including the tools to use
• How to ensure quality from start to finish
• Scheduling, laydown, pricing and more

  • Track: Striping
  • Speakers: Jim Panzehagen
How to Build, Scale & Diversify Your Sweeping Business

The possible ways to grow your sweeping business can seem overwhelming, but doing so is integral to your success.

This session, taught by Cole Watts, will not only cover the hows and whys behind building your sweeping business, but also discuss how to scale for growth, diversify your services, change your customer base and more.

Watts will teach attendees:

        • What you need to consider before adding additional services or equipment
        • The tools and techniques to accelerate your growth
        • Best areas to consider for service and customer diversification
      • *This session is FREE for NAPSA members. Please contact info@powersweeping.org for access to the registration code.

8:15 AM – 9:15 AM

Strategic Decision Making for Increased Margins
Over 78% of businesses are stalled and have no growth momentum. They are not increasing their market share, their product and brand awareness and they are losing margin.

Essentially, they are slowly failing. Business owners and leaders have countless decisions they are faced with each day and these decisions are essential to ensure growth and profitability. All these designs impact our ability to attract customers, talent, and critical partners. Making better decisions has a huge bearing on our profits, growth, reputation, and the very future of our businesses.

Making effective decisions is key to building a business that will last. In this session, taught by Jeani Ringkod, StoryBuilt Marketing, you’ll earn how to apply the brand strategy models used by the world’s top brands to your business to identify what matters most, save time and resources, make better decisions, and increase margins.

Takeaways include:

      • The three top brand strategy models to decision making and how to apply them
      • How to leverage strategy filters to identify the most vital hurdles and highest priority opportunities to pursue
      • How to identify what makes for a high performing execution plan on chosen strategies
    • Track: Business Management

      Speakers: Jeani Ringkob

The Game Plan: Planning Your Paving Project for Success

When it comes to paving, project management is critical to success. Property managers should always require proper project management and consultation from an expert prior to their project – and that should be you. This session will walk attendees through each phase of the paving process and show how they all need to fit together for an efficient, safe and successful job.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Create a job plan to diminish chaos (including determining tonnage, paving layout, delivery pace and production speed)
• Establish a schedule to prevent delays
• Maximize resources, both human and financial
• Control costs by ensuring effective budget performance
• Manage change to avoid problems and
• Ensure optimum project quality for long-lasting results and happy customers

Next Level Crack Treatments: Formulation to Application and Everything in Between that Will Set Your Business Apart
Are you ready to make more money on your cracksealing jobs? This educational session, taught by Ben Thielbar and Bill Ganger, will cover all aspects of crack treatments from formulation and testing to project design, equipment and application techniques – including best practices and troubleshooting techniques.

Topics to be covered include:

      • Types of cracks and the why and when behind cracksealing
      • Equipment for crack treatments; usage and operation
      • Types of sealants and how to select the right one for your application
      • Material application techniques, best practices and troubleshooting
      • Crack sealing as a pre-treatment to longer lasting surface treatments
      • Wide crack repair and other innovative solutions that will allow you to be the best choice for your customers needs
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Bill Ganger & Ben Thielbar
Advanced Parking Lot Striping: Auto Layout & How to Improve Your Striping Operation

As a follow up to his basic parking lot striping class, Jim Panzenhagen will discuss and show how to use automatic layout equipment. From measuring the parking lots, calculating parking spaces and installing premarkings, Panzenhagen will walk through the steps from start to finish.

You will learn:

• The benefits and best practices of auto layout machines
• How using this equipment can help accelerate your growth, plus
• Tricks and tips for using the auto layout for parking lot striping

  • Track: Striping
  • Speakers: Jim Panzehagen
Technology to Help Sweeping Professionals Achieve Growth

Once you decide the best ways to grow your business, you need to implement the procedures and technologies to help make it happen. In this session, Cole Watts will teach attendees how to develop a framework that will allow you to streamline processes through technology.

Attendees will learn:

          • How to develop centralized purchasing, accounting and routing with technologies to increase efficiency
          • How to build travel schedules that keep preventative maintenance to stay on track while being able to react to urgent needs
          • How to implement a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) that integrates hiring, onboarding, benefits and document compliance all into one easy to access system

          *This session is FREE for NAPSA members. Please contact info@powersweeping.org for access to the registration code.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

How to Improve Your Office Operations to Increase Productivity and Profit
Do you often feel like the back end of your business is in a state of chaos? This session is designed to help contractors avoid the office chaos that can result in frustrated customers, low employee morale and eventually decreased profits.

Presented by Linda Alfonsi, this session will cover:

      • How best to manage the day-to-day demands of the pavement maintenance industry
      • How to create decision-making processes unique to the industry
      • How (and why) to match key employees to appropriate roles
      • How to set up standard operating procedures and responsibilities and
      • How to improve communication between your office and your crews

      Track: Business Management

      Speakers: Linda Alfonsi

Win Bigger Jobs with Better Quality Control

The most prestigious jobs in the commercial paving space are starting to require the latest technologies be used by construction crews. In this session, attendees will learn how they can be better positioned to win more work with the equipment they use and how that translates into better profitability.

Attendees will learn:

• Why and how frequently commercial properties are requiring use of advanced technologies
• The importance of measuring density for improved job performance
• How better results mean more money, and
• Incentives of using the latest technology to document results

How to Scale Your Pavement Maintenance Business for Sustainable Growth - PANEL

As a contractor, you should always be purposefully thinking about the future growth of your company. It’s important however to have a plan and find the right partnerships that will help ensure your success. This panel, moderated by Jessica Lombardo, Conference Manager, will discuss:

      • The risks to consider before deciding to grow
      • The steps contractors need to take for growth
      • The conversations to have when laying the groundwork for growth
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Kris Love, Justin Meier & Cam Roberts
The Key to Durable Pavement Markings
High performing and long-lasting pavement markings are in demand from property managers who want less disruption on their property and longer-lasting markings. As a contractor, you need to be in the know on how to offer, properly bid and apply these materials.

This session will teach attendees:

      • What pavement marking alternatives are available for contractors to consider; including the benefits, drawbacks, equipment needed and costs for each one
      • Best practices for applying a more durable pavement marking and
      • How your company can gain a competitive edge by incorporating these materials as more projects start to require them in their bid specifications
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Kurt Gruenberg
Risk Management Part 1: Nightmare Scenarios for Business Owners that Can Cost You BIG

Construction companies of all sizes and disciplines face the potential for litigation on a daily basis – and it’s not going to get better. What once was a relatively lawsuit-free industry is fast becoming an industry where owners and high-level executives need to have attorneys on speed dial and have to devote too much time to litigation related meetings and phone calls. Nobody got into the construction business to deal with that!

In part one of this construction industry-focused risk management session, Joshua Ferguson and Scott Cerosky will provide insights into the newest trends in litigation that directly impact contractors. You’ll learn about recent developments in cases involving pressing issues, plus what that means for your business. Issues discussed include:

          • Construction defect
          • Personal injury
          • Employment discrimination
          • Civil action cyber/data breach claims and more

          *This session is FREE for NAPSA members. Please contact info@powersweeping.org for access to the registration code.

      • Track: Sweeping
      • Speakers: Scott Cerosky & Josh Ferguson

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Full Contact Business Management

Business owners in the paving and pavement maintenance space are faced with more challenges than ever before and it takes a strong leader to stay the course. From starting your business off on the right foot to growing your services responsibly, this session will help you feel confident with the decisions ahead of you.

In this session Mauro Comuzzi, President of The Paving Lady, will teach attendees:

      • Best practices for leading your team so everyone is focused and working towards a common goal
      • Ways to better manage your time and find ways to work ON your business instead of IN it
      • How to set a positive mindset as a leader that will drive employee engagement from the top down

      Track: Business Management

      Speakers: Mauro Comuzzi

Everything You Need to Know About Asphalt Plant Ownership - PANEL

Asphalt paving contractors know the challenges of getting hot mix from a supplier. Long waits for material, high trucking costs and lack of control over mix quality can make paving projects incredibly frustrating. Investing in an asphalt plant, whether portable or stationary, is a big step. It takes a lot of research and number crunching to determine if it makes sense for each operation.

This panel session will feature representatives from ADM and ALmix who will discuss with a contractor producer:

• When you should consider purchasing your own plant
• The types of plants available for purchase
• The permitting and zoning process, plus
• After sale support needed to run a successful hot mix operation

  • Track: Paving
  • Speakers: Ryder Harman, Bob Kordus & Carlos Cardenas
Elevating the Image of the Pavement Maintenance Industry

How many times have you contacted a prospect and heard: “We don’t sealcoat anymore- it’s just a waste of money” or “We don’t perform pavement maintenance, we just wait till the parking lot needs to be milled and paved.”

Pavement maintenance is one of the most profitable services in asphalt yet many property managers have lost faith in performing pavement maintenance because they do not see any value from the substandard workmanship they have received in the past.

This session, taught by Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction Magazine Advisory Board Member Steve Brahney will show contractors how to:

        • Take advantage of the opportunity to educate customers on the “dollar and sense” value of doing pavement maintenance properly
        • Elevate the image of pavement maintenance in their service area while also demonstrating value to your clients
        • Create a strong initial presentation for new prospects and how to follow a process once you close the deal and continue to work for the client and
        • Become a contractor that is committed to continued education, establishing the best practices for materials application, educating and helping their clients, establishing alliances with friendly competitors and delivering the best projects, service and customer experience
      • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
      • Speakers: Steve Brahney
Break Through the Ceiling: How to Grow Your Striping Business

Many contractors struggle with how to advance their business operations, especially contractors who focus on striping as a specialty. When is it time to grow? What services should I add? How do you do it? What capital expenses will you incur?

In this session from Cam Roberts, Laser Line Painting, attendees will learn:

      • How to delegate and elevate in order to find time to work ON your business instead of in it
      • The systems and processes you need to put in place for your activities
      • Plus ways to achieve sustainable and incremental growth
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Cam Roberts
Risk Management Part 2: Common Sense Prevention Strategies to Avoid Being Sued

Today’s litigious environment demands that owners and top-level executives of construction companies be well-versed in risk management to deter and defend against claims. Whether you’ve faced claims or not, this is a “must-attend” session that can save your company.

In the second part of their discussion, Joshua Ferguson and Scott Cerosky will teach attendees:

      • The insurance coverage necessary to ensure the long-term health of your company
      • How to stay ahead of litigation trends and how proper insurance plays in your defense
      • Specific, proven steps you can take immediately to manage your risk to both deter litigation in each of these areas and to better defend your company overall

      *This session is FREE for NAPSA members. Please contact info@powersweeping.org for access to the registration code.

Wednesday, January 31

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Marketing 101: The Why & How Behind Effective Business Marketing

In today’s world, your company can no longer rely on referrals alone to grow your business. Enter digital marketing which will be your best friend if implemented and executed correctly, or your worst enemy if your competition is using it more effectively.

This session, taught by Brandon Stanton, 405 Media Group, will provide attendees with a deep dive on the marketing tactics you need to generate the sales growth you want.

In part one of this two part class, attendees will learn:

        • The marketing strategies, tools and technologies available to gain and close sales
        • Actionable steps to implement these tactics immediately into your business, not philosophy
        • The methods the top asphalt contractors in the country are using today to win and close business
      • Track: Business Management
      • Speakers: Brandon Stanton
Best Practices for Your Paving Operation

In this session, John Ball, Top Quality Paving, gives contractors everything they need to know about their paving operations. This “how to” program takes contractors step-by-step through the paving operation. Ball relies on videos he’s taken on consulting jobs throughout the year to demonstrate various paver operations, proper and improper techniques, paving “best practices,” and problems and their solutions.

You’ll learn:

• How to determine the amount of mix for each type of job
• How to determine haul truck size and delivery schedule
• How to “line-out” the start of the work and plan the paving and
• Best practices to guarantee quality and efficiency

Everything You Need to Know About Owning a Mill
It’s a well-shared sentiment that paving contractors do not like to see another companies’ machine in front of them running the milling machine while they’re doing the paving. Add that to the fact that many paving companies are at the mercy of the milling contractor’s schedule and it makes sense that many contractors want to be their own source, but be careful before jumping all in.

In this session from Tom Eosso, Eosso Brothers Paving, contractors will learn:

        • Why you should consider purchasing your own milling machine
        • The sizes and types of milling machines available and the kind of work each complete
        • How much work you need on the books before you consider buying your own machine
        • What staff and support equipment you will need to run a successful milling operation
        • How to job cost, bid and run a successful milling operation
      • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
      • Speakers: Tom Eosso
The Beginners Class: How to Jumpstart Your Striping Business
Whether you are brand new to the pavement maintenance industry or adding striping as another service of your business many different factors need to be considered. Although the striping industry may be a smaller, niche industry, the array of information and concerns can seem overwhelming. This session, taught by Mark Estrada, will teach attendees how to “Jumpstart your Journey” to success in the striping industry.

In the first part of this two-part class, Estrada will cover:

      • Basic strategy and approach to striping plus how to establish a standard operating procedure
      • General safety methods and how to identify hazards including basics of the striping machine
      • Identification of the different types of paints and their uses
      • Plus the do’s and don’ts, troubleshooting, and strategy behind a quality finished product
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Mark Estrada
How to Bring $100,000 to Your House - PANEL

When it comes to transitioning your business, many owners are afraid to dive in. This interactive panel will talk attendees through what it takes to take the leap with their equipment and services and how that can provide big rewards.

Discussion points include:

      • How to research and add the right equipment to move your business forward
      • What you need to know about moving your company through the different bands of income and the challenges you may face
      • Where to look to find resources and assistance to successfully improve efficiencies and profitability in your business

      Panelists include Bill Smith, Smith Property Service; Jim Blackerby, Lousiville Pavement Sweeping; and Scott Duscher, Aqua Trucks.

      *This session is FREE for NAPSA members. Please contact info@powersweeping.org for access to the registration code.

  • Track: Sweeping
  • Speakers: Jim Blackerby, Scott Duscher & Bill Smith

8:15 AM – 9:15 AM

Marketing 201: Implementing & Achieving Maximum ROI From Your Marketing Efforts

In the second part of his marketing session, Brandon Stanton, 405 Media Group, will go more in depth for contractors looking to see a true return on investment (ROI) from their marketing efforts.

Attendees will walk away knowing:

      • How Google is ranking your website and what you need to do for better page positioning
      • How to turn your website and online profile into the best salesperson for your company
      • The most cost-effective ways to maximize your spend on “Pay Per Click” advertising
      • How proven processes for cold and warm reach out will help you achieve immediate sales growth for your marketing efforts.
    • Track: Business Management
    • Speakers: Brandon Stanton
What Do I Need to Know About Adding Concrete to my Business - PANEL

Is it time to start a concrete division? Where do you start? How do you estimate? How many guys do you need? This panel session will touch on the basics of Concrete 101 with three industry experts who have successfully brought a concrete division into their asphalt paving operations.

This session will cover:

      • Common repair types and jobs that contractors should start with
      • Equipment and support you will need, including estimating services
      • How to train and build your first crew
      • Tips for growing this service
    • Track: Paving
    • Speakers: Todd Eichholz, Bob Kordus & Brandon Leone
Best Practices for Your Milling Operations from the Experts - PANEL

To get the most out of your milling machine, you need to make sure it’s being operated and maintained correctly.

This panel discussion, with experts from The Wirtgen Group and BOMAG, will help attendees understand:

      • The basics of your milling machine, why you should use one and what it does
      • How milling can positively or negatively impact the quality of your rehabilitation efforts
      • How to prepare your machine for operation, plus maintenance and new innovations
      • Milling best practices to ensure your paving crew has the best chance of placing and compacting a dense, smooth surface
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Tom Eosso, Tom Chastain, Jon Elko
The Master Class: Mastering the Art of Precision Striping
No matter where you are in your striping business journey, the second part of Mark Estrada’s session is one a striping contractor shouldn’t miss. Estrada will dive deeper on how to take your striping business to the next level by implementing the right business tools and technologies.

The Master Class will cover:

        • How to maximize production on high volume striping; motivating your team in the process
        • How to use and implement technology like auto layout and lasers
        • How to hire and utilize team members accordingly which creates a positive company culture
        • How to manage customer expectations and customer service
        • How to identify and prevent liabilities for you and your customer
      • Track: Striping
      • Speakers: Mark Estrada
NAPSA Sweeping Best Practices - 3 Hour Workshop

The North American Power Sweeping Association (NAPSA) is a nonprofit association made up of 300+ contract sweepers, service providers and sweeping equipment dealers, manufacturers and suppliers. NAPSA is dedicated to providing beneficial support to the membership and enhancing services to the sweeping industry.

In the 2024 NAPSA Best Practices Session, moderated by Cole Watts, More Clean of Texas, attendees will participate in the following discussions:

Marketing for Max Leads: Tactics to integrate technology into your Marketing. How to 10X your Lead Generation and grow your business. Facilitated by Jeff Old, Visual App.
Power Sweeping Standard 2.0: Arm yourself with the latest details and learn how to use the Power Sweeping Standard version 2.0, the new and most powerful defense tool for the power sweeping industry. Facilitated by Chris Dick, Katsam Enterprises.
Next Generation Owners and Key Managers: Overcoming the challenges the next generation of owners and key managers face.  Forming alliances and relationships within the sweeping industry to help overcome these challenges. Facilitated by Dustin Moist, Cantel Sweeping and Bryan Presutti East Coast Sweeping.
TPS’s Traps & Pitfalls: Third party service providers are tricky to navigate. This topic will share issues and concerns to watch for when working for TPS’s. Facilitated by Bill Smith, Smith Property Services.
New vs Used: When to Buy & When to Lease: Equipment is the lifeblood of the power sweeping industry. Are you deciding new vs used just based on initial cost? Well, that is one number to consider and there are many more. This table will discuss what you need to consider. Facilitated by Scott Duscher, Agua Trucks.
Reducing Turnover with Strategic On-Boarding: Strategic on-boarding starts before employment ad placement. Clarity and being intentional about recruiting, on-boarding and initial training can reduce early turnover and recruiting costs. Facilitated by Mark Carter, Peloton Sweeping Service.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Transformational Selling: Turning Goals into Actionable Plans

Join us for an exciting and transformative seminar where industry expert Guy Gruenberg will delve into the world of cutting-edge sales techniques and strategies.

Guy will introduce a newly constructed sales process designed to empower sales professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s competitive market. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a range of innovative approaches that will revolutionize their sales process. Guy will guide attendees through the following key areas:

  • Understanding the Revised Steps: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the revised sales process, enabling you to effectively identify where your buyer is in their journey and develop actionable plans to move the sale forward. Discover how to navigate the sales cycle with precision and increase your chances of closing deals successfully.
  • Sequencing in the Outbound Sales Process: Explore updated techniques for reaching decision-makers effectively. Learn how to streamline your outbound sales process, optimize your prospecting efforts, and gain access to key stakeholders who can drive buying decisions.
  • Prospecting in Tough Economic Climates: Uncover strategies to identify prospects who are willing to invest even in challenging economic conditions. Gain insights into recognizing opportunities and positioning your offerings to resonate with customers, regardless of the economic climate.
  • Leveraging the Latest Technologies: Connect with prospects and existing customers using cutting-edge technologies. We will showcase real-world examples of utilizing tools such as Loom, CRM systems, Quoting Spreadsheets, and industry-specific software. Learn how to leverage these tools to enhance your sales process, improve efficiency, and drive better results.

This action-packed hour of new sales ideas and tactics will equip you with the skills and knowledge to turn suspects into prospects and convert proposals into contracts. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to transform your sales approach and achieve exceptional results.

 

How Your Paver Operates – and How Its Operations Impact Your Bottom Line
The key to improving your paving process and producing a better quality pavement is to gain a better understanding of the most important element in your operation: your asphalt paver.

This session, speaker Nigel McKay will cover the workings of the paver from front to back, covering its component parts, how they work together and how they can be adjusted to produce a quality mat. Attendees will also learn proper maintenance tips and what you need to know to make sure your machine is functioning optimally.

McKay will cover:

        • The tractor unit, hopper, hopper wings, flow gates, flow control sensors
        • The screed unit, discussing the head of material, paver speed, manual thickness control, and the workings and importance of a free floating screed
        • Plus, McKay will offer a checklist of tips to help operators ensure the paving machine is operating at peak performance
      • Track: Paving
      • Speakers: Nigel McKay
Choosing the Best Preservation Treatment Method - The Why, When & How
You’ve often heard the phrase “the right pavement, the right treatment, the right time,” but what does that mean? Having a good handle on the current pavement condition is critical, including information on the type and severity of existing distress.

This session, taught by Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction Advisory Board Member Steve Young, Young Sealcoating, will give attendees the information they need to confidently bid even the toughest jobs. You will learn:

      • How to properly evaluate a pavement and determine the right treatment method for the distress
      • How to create a competitive bid and explain the plan to your customers
      • Best practices for making the highest performing and longest lasting repair
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Steve Young
How to Estimate Commercial Striping, Sealcoat & Crackfill Projects
In the pavement maintenance industry, time is money and in order to improve profits, you need to improve your efficiencies. In this class, Mike Bird will start at the beginning of each project type (sealcoating, striping and crack filling) and provide the important facts about bidding successfully and profitably.

Attendees will learn:

      • How to complete take offs efficiently and properly
      • How to configure your margins and mark ups
      • How to figure out your overhead and everything in-between
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Mike Byrd

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Preventing the Four Biggest Safety Failures for Pavement Maintenance Contractors

Safety is THE biggest cost to Pavement Maintenance Contractors when it fails. This special workshop address how to prevent the four most common (and costly) injuries for the pavement maintenance industry. Known as the Contractor’s Best Friend, Brad Humphrey has teamed up with one of the industries brightest safety leader, Donny Sierra. Together, they will bring insights to what you can do to reduce, if not eliminate, some of the highest risks your workers face every day.

Workshop Key Objectives 

      • Preventing Eye injuries: It’s More Than Wearing Safety Glasses
      • Back injuries: Protecting Workers from Losing Strength, Coordination, & Balance
      • Hand injuries: Ensuring Our Workers Can Work Productively
      • Falls: One of OSHA’s “Big Four” and How to Reduce Falls
      • Daily Safety Reminders: The Basics of Creating a Safe Working Culture

      In this hour long workshop, you will leave with a wealth of important and practical techniques that can immediately impact your company’s safe working conditions. Let this workshop improve your safety reputation, strengthen your company’s production, and maximize the profitability your company can experience.

Planning & Building Specialty Paving Projects

Many factors need to be considered when designing and constructing recreational facilities such as running tracks, tennis courts and golf cart paths. These types of facilities do not carry heavy loads and therefore need to be built differently than roads and parking lots. They also require different project planning and equipment.

This session will focus on:

      • Why recreational surfaces require paving efforts different than those of a driveway or parking lot
      • Designing and constructing surfaces to resist water intrusion which is a primary factor required to resist future environmental distress
      • Specific mixture requirements needed to build a durable pavement that will resist environmental distresses such as cracking and raveling
      • The tools and tricks to successfully build and maintain pavements and how to avoid failures and ensure successes

      Track: Paving

    • Speakers: Wayne Jones

How to Level Up Your Sealcoating Business: Tips for Larger Commercial Sealcoating Jobs
Do you sealcoat driveways or small projects? Are you interested in learning tricks of the trade and the “how to’s” of stepping up to the next level in sealcoating? This session, taught by Nick Howell, T&N Asphalt Services, will help you tackle large commercial sealcoating jobs and show that moving up to larger work isn’t as difficult or as expensive as you might think.

You’ll learn about:

      • How to market to property managers and owners of these larger centers
      • Best practices for estimating larger jobs and the equipment you need to complete them
      • Tips for negotiating with your suppliers for better pricing
      • The benefits of partnering and subcontracting with other contractors
      • Typical insurance requirements
      • Plus scheduling to please the owner, as well as some other “been there” tricks
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Nick Howell
A Hands-On Approach to Learning Striping Technologies

This “how-to session” will take contractors through “the evolution of parking lot layout” from basic tape measure layout to today’s simple-to-use computer technology that will do your calculations for you. You’ll also learn about the industry’s newest cutting-edge layout tool: lasers. Chad Jung, a veteran striping contractor, has evolved along with the industry and its technology.

He will take the classroom outside to give contractors real experience on:

      • The latest technologies to help striping contractors succeed
      • How to efficiently stripe any job, easy or difficult, using today’s technology
      • How to calibrate an auto layup machine, align the laser properly and how to use auto layout properly, plus
      • What you need to know about the training and financial investments needed to make the technology successful
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Chad Jung

Thursday, February 1

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Pivot 101: Your Guide to Successful Business Planning in a Changing Market
In this real-time session, industry expert Guy Gruenberg will provide attendees with valuable insights and practical strategies to navigate the evolving world and the US construction economy. Pivot 101 is Part One of a two-part series designed to help contractors identify their position within the industry and leverage your strengths to achieve success. Throughout the session, attendees will be introduced to a streamlined 5-step strategy process that will open your eyes to new possibilities and opportunities.

During this engaging seminar, attendees will learn how to:

      • Improve Forecasting: Learn how to enhance your forecasting capabilities to effectively anticipate market trends, customer demands, and industry shifts. Gain insights into data analysis techniques and discover how to leverage them to make informed business decisions
      • Create a Decision Tree: Develop a decision tree framework that will assist you in making critical choices and evaluating potential “pivot” points for your business. Gain a clear understanding of the factors to consider when adapting to market changes and explore various scenarios to optimize your decision-making process
      • Discover Risk/Reward Scenarios: Delve into risk and reward assessment to evaluate potential outcomes and weigh the benefits against the risks involved. Gain practical tips and techniques to identify and manage risks effectively, while maximizing your chances for success

      By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to position their business for success in a changing marketplace. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry expert Guy Gruenberg and gain the insights and strategies needed to thrive in a dynamic construction economy. Get ready to pivot your business towards a prosperous future.

  • Track: Business Management
  • Speakers: Guy Gruenberg
Commercial Paving 101: How to Get the Most Productivity & Profit from Every Job

No matter how long you’ve been paving, reviewing the best practices for quality results is key to your continued success. This session will cover effective, efficient and time-tested paving practices that help contractors get the most out of their efforts. Attendees will walk away with the tools they need to ultimately generate more profitable work, a higher-quality job and greater referral business.

Attendees will learn:

• Proper paving practices
• Safety on the jobsite
• Best practices to increase efficiency and
• Innovations that can impact each and every commercial or residential paving job – for the better

How to Be Your Customer's #1 Choice
Being a good partner for your customers is not only good for your business, but the entire industry as well, and that starts with the way you approach selling your services to them. Knowing what they need, and what they don’t, is the best way to earn their trust and their business for good.

This session, taught by Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction Advisory Board Member Steve Young, Young Sealcoating, will teach you:

      • Ways to work with new customers in a way that educates them on what they need, instead of just what costs the least amount of money
      • How to develop and explain the treatment process and overall treatment plan to your client in order to build trust
      • Best practices for developing value in your services, and all in partnering with your company in the long run.
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Steve Young
Managing the Logistics of Striping Extensive Projects

When it comes to striping the biggest jobs, those on the national level, you need to have a keen understanding of not only how to striping the jobs, but how to handle the business side of things. In this session, Ray Roberto aims to teach attendees how organization on the back end of the business leads to success in the field.

Roberto will teach attendees:

    • How to properly price and bid large projects
    • Ways to organize travel and materials for traveling jobs, and
    • The economics of a successful striping businesses
  • Track: Striping
  • Speakers: Ray Roberto
Digital Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business
The rise of the digital world has opened many new channels to reach your target customers at the right time when they need your services, helping you quickly grow your business. Following a thoughtful digital marketing strategy is key to helping businesses – small and large – grow their bottom line and this session from Derek Rayburn will teach attendees:

      • The why behind digital marketing and how to develop an effective strategy
      • How to create engaging content and how to ensure your customers find it
      • The right way to build and nurture your lead lists to turn prospects into sales

      *This session is FREE for NAPSA members. Please contact info@powersweeping.org for access to the registration code.

  • Track: Sweeping
  • Speakers: Derek Rayburn

8:15 AM – 9:15 AM

Pivot 201: Strategies to Identify & Execute Future Business Growth

As Part Two of the series, Pivot 201 with Guy Gruenberg is a stand-alone session that builds upon the foundations established in Pivot 101. Attending Pivot 101 is not a prerequisite for this class.

Pivot 201 will provide attendees with last-minute updates to reflect the current technology and economic landscape, ensuring they receive the most relevant and up-to-date information. We will begin with a brief review of the key concepts covered in Pivot 101, allowing you to refresh your understanding and ensure a seamless transition to advanced strategies and adaptations for 2024 and beyond. In a rapidly changing economy, knowing when to stay the course or change direction is crucial for sustainable growth.

Throughout this seminar, you will gain invaluable insights and tools to make informed business decisions, identifying opportunities for expansion and maximizing your chances of success.

Attendees will discover:

  • Analysis and Action Planning: Learn how to leverage the analysis conducted in Pivot 101 to develop comprehensive action plans. Discover strategies to prioritize and execute both small and significant initiatives, empowering you to accomplish your business objectives effectively
  • Future Growth Strategies: Explore advanced strategies and adaptations tailored for the current and future business landscape. Gain practical tips and techniques to identify emerging trends, assess market potential, and seize growth opportunities, positioning your business for long-term success
  • Real-World Case Studies: Benefit from real-world case studies and success stories that exemplify the application of effective growth strategies. Learn from industry leaders who have successfully navigated changing economies and executed profitable business growth initiatives

By participating in this seminar, you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and actionable strategies needed to thrive in a dynamic business environment. Pivot 201 will take your understanding to the next level and provide you with the tools to drive future business growth.

 

Making the Grade: A Quality Paving Job Starts with Site Prep
A great prep job is critical to a successful pave. But how do we know our base is great and how can we be confident in our jobs?  Base, sub-base, slope, compaction, material type, water control, drainage plan; all of these aspects need to be taken into consideration when preparing for ANY asphalt paving job. But how do we organize and plan for all that and most importantly, how can we do it efficiently and quickly to maximize both quality and profitability on a job?
In this course taught by Kyle Ascione of Integrity Asphalt in Northern Michigan, we will go over all of these aspects and more.
Attendees will learn:
  • What details need to be coordinated to maximize base prep, including ideal equipment and technology
  • The terms and conditions to look for within contract to protect yourself and your resources, and
  • How to achieve great results with minimal resources.

This course is designed for the contractor looking to enter into grading and base prep or to improve their existing base work to better their pave jobs.

How to Succeed with Asphalt Emulsion Sealers & How to Prepare for Future Material Needs

With the changes surrounding sealer application design, application and usage, contractors are seeing challenges achieving the same performance from their materials.

This session, taught by Steve Brahney, aims to help attendees understand:

      • The different sealer materials available and where they best perform
      • Best practices for application and execution on the jobsite that maximizes your customers investments
      • What the future of the pavement preservation industry looks like and how to get ahead of your competition through the use of new materials
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Steve Brahney
What You Need to Know About ADA Compliant Striping and Signage
Compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) is essential for every property manager and they rely on you as the striping contract to ensure their public parking lots meet those guidelines. Creating an ADA compliant parking lot is crucial for providing ample access to every individual, and non-compliant facilities and installations can get fined or even face a civil lawsuit.

This session, taught by Mike Byrd, will teach you:

      • The federal minimum guidelines for parking lot striping, handicap parking signage, and access isles.
      • The proper sizing, placement and marking of parking spaces for those who need them
      • The right materials, signage and application
      • How to be the number one resource for your customer to rely on to be ADA compliant
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Mike Byrd

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Rockstar Recruiting for a New Generation + How to Compete on Awesome & Not Price

Part 1: Rockstar Recruiting for a New Generation

Susan Frew, entrepreneur and coach of 18 different trades, shares her research and insight on the state of today’s job market. Learn how to keep the good ones and participate with interactive and creative ideas on how to get more employees on board in 2024.

Attendees will learn:

  • The facts: What are the numbers? What is happening with today’s workforce?
  • A concrete plan for recruiting and understanding today’s new worker
  • How your generation can create harmony with the new workers
  • Out-of-the-box ideas for recruiting the next generation
  • A step by step plan to get employees to join your team

Part 2:How to Compete On Awesome & Not Price 

Susan Frew, TEDx speaker, plumbing company owner and coach of 18 different trades shares her research, insight and inspiration. You will walk away with concrete ideas on how to WOW your customers without competing on Price!

Attendees will learn:

  • A concrete “how to” plan to Compete on Awesome, not on price in their business
  • How to create a “Pufferfish Effect” and make your business reputation shine
  • How to highlight your unique offerings so you no longer need to compete on price
  • A marketing blueprint that can be used in any business

*These sessions are discounted for NAPSA members. Please contact info@powersweeping.org for access to the registration code.

 

  • Track: Business Management // Sweeping
  • Speakers: Susan Frew

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Job Costing: The #1 Thing You're Probably Doing Wrong

Job costing can have a profound impact on profitability and competitiveness, and this session will show you how you can use job costing to make every job more profitable. In this detailed and interactive session, you will learn what it takes to develop a job costing system, how to evaluate the most profitable project types for your business, and how to use job costing data to assist you in proper estimating.

Attendees in this session will:

      • How to collect and report job costs to determine which jobs to take
      • How to improve estimating accuracy, pricing, scheduling, and even crew performance
      • Ways to design and implement an effective costing system
      • Plus, you’ll see how taking a few simple job costing steps can have an impact on your bottom line
    • Track: Business Management
    • Speakers: Shauna Huntington & Matt Slawson
Understanding Density & Rolling Patterns

Compaction is the single most important factor in the ultimate performance of a hot mix asphalt pavement. This session will help paving crews understand the basic elements of compaction and the use of various types of rollers, including static steel wheel, pneumatic tire and vibratory steel wheel rollers. Use of different rollers and rolling patterns for different paving situations will be emphasized.

This session will cover:

  • The importance of mix temperature, rolling patterns, roller operator responsibilities and the specific steps you need to take to achieve density
  • New findings in compaction research that will help you in the compaction phase
  • How to provide clients with a quality, cost-effective and long-lasting asphalt pavement by making sure you can attain the density needed and
  • The newest technologies available to help contractors achieve proper compaction
Basic Pavement Defects: Causes, Solutions – and How to Set Your Price!

In this session, pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction magazine Advisory Board Member Nick Howell, T & N Asphalt, connects the dots from the pavement defect, its cause, the “best practices” repair solution – and how to set your price to fix it.

Defects covered will be alligator (fatigue) cracking, “normal” cracking, potholes, surface oxidation and raveling. For each defect you will learn:

      • What the cause of the defect is
      • The best practice to repair the defect, including the right equipment to use and
      • How to uncover all the cost elements to include before adding in your profit and determining your price
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Nick Howell
Best Practices for Pavement Marking Removal & Surface Prep

Knowing how to remove stripes from an asphalt surface is just as important as knowing how to lay them down. Effective removal is necessary for aesthetics and safety — and before parking lot pavement can be restriped or repainted, the previous markings must first be thoroughly removed.

This session, taught by Ben Tollefson & Rich Stankiewicz, will teach contractors:

      • The different methods available for marking removal that contractors can choose from – plus the why and how behind each one
      • Cost and time factors to consider when pricing your services
      • Best practices to ensure a quality surface for your customers
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Ben Tollefson & Rich Stankiewicz

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

How to Stay Competitive in a Challenging Market

While the actual laying of asphalt, sealcoating, or striping has not changed technically, everything about worker attitudes and skill development has. Your business has always been about the people, but if it seems like you’re working harder to accomplish what you thought you had mastered years ago, you’re not alone. In this session, you’ll learn strategies to best handle the tough situation in today’s challenging marketplace.

Attendees will learn:

      • How to approach projects, including how to price them to maintain your margins in the current high-cost marketplace
      • How to manage your people with the right recruiting and retention strategies to keep your employees engaged and
      • How to ensure that you’re running your business in the most productive and profitable manner
Not Just for Your Bigger Jobs - How to Incorporate Machine Control to Save BIG Money – PANEL

Still using stringlines on your projects? You could be leaving huge chunks of money on the table – even for your smaller jobs. In this panel discussion, you’ll hear from contractors and solutions providers on how you can use machine automation rather than external references such as stakes, the existing grade or a string line to achieve more accurate results. Use of this technology helps create a more uniform surface, all but eliminates material overruns and ensures a better quality result.

In this panel discussion attendees will learn:

      • The latest technologies available for your paving operation, what they do and how they do it
      • How to incorporate machine automation into your fleet, including what it might cost your company and
      • What you need to know about training and execution to ensure you’re getting the most out of the technology to increase your ROI faster
    • Track: Paving
    • Speakers: Perry Michaud, Kevin Garcia, Jason Hogue, FAMC & Trimble
Increase Your Profitability by Using Infrared

An infrared unit can be an instrumental piece of equipment for contractors looking to expand their services and become more profitable. Adding infrared to your fleet puts you in control of when your season ends and allows you to provide better quality services to your customers – which means you can demand a higher price. This session, taught by Zach Young, will cover the basics of the infrared process and how to best perform the work. Young will provide an introduction to the equipment along with a step-by-step guide to the infrared repair process.

Attendees will learn:

      • The types of jobs and repairs that can be completed successfully using infrared technology
      • Specific infrared field techniques and approaches to help make infrared pavement repair efficient, successful and profitable
      • How adding infrared can extend your season and enhance your profitability
    • Track: Sealcoating & Pavement Preservation
    • Speakers: Zach Young
Beyond the Basics: How to Stripe the Tough Jobs

Many striping jobs are a complex puzzle and this is a session with no easy angles. Speaker Pat Mendick takes contractors beyond striping – and outside to an actual parking lot – to show striping contractors everything from the basics to tough layout striping jobs.

Attendees will learn:

      • How to stripe both straight-in 60-degree and 90-degree angled stalls on both inside and outside curves – both convex and concave, using simple homemade tools and no math
      • Radius development and how to stripe curved lines, plus
      • Insights on job shortcuts that will make your daily layout work easier
    • Track: Striping
    • Speakers: Pat Mendick