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Shaken Not Stirred

15 October, 2019

The Commercial Forum 2019 serves up the perfect cocktail of intense coaching with plenty of time to unwind.

First, I have to give a shout out to everyone who sent me photos from the event. I got some good ones, but you all got some awesome ones! Second, I have to give a shout out to the Commercial Forum for allowing me to sit in. The APC readers will greatly benefit, as this event inspired a lot of editorial that you all will see in 2020. Finally, a shout to Kevin Sullivan for naming this article while we were being shaken all over the AZ red rocks in a pink jeep (thanks for the adventure 3M!). Kevin, call me if you ever want to be in charge of subject lines for Paint News. The name was appropriate, not only for the off-road adventure but for the event itself. The PCA Commercial Forum isn’t quietly stirring the pot, they are shakin things up, and that was apparent in Sedona, AZ this year where commercial contractors all across the country joined together to learn, network and enjoy a little downtime. Like I said, much of what I learned there will be coming to you over the next 12 months by way of written editorial, podcasts and even video (I hope you are all tuning into all of APC’s channels, we are all working overtime to make sure you have content in all forms possible!). For now, I’ll give you a pictorial overview of the 2019 Commercial Forum so you can decide if this is something you might want to do next year. Spoiler alert: You do!

Golf Day sponsored by Benjamin Moore

From Left to Right: Randy Fornoff MTS Painting in Arizona, Chad Lyons Lyons Painting and Design in Washington, Garrett Martell Two Day Painting in Wisconsin.

Welcome Reception sponsored by Behr

The first evening’s festivities were compliments of Behr. Attendees caught up with old friends and met new ones! Great sliders!

Sessions Day 1

We’ve all been to conferences where we hear from consultant after consultant, furiously write notes, get super duper stoked, and then return home and only to bury those notes under a stack of things that must be done today. The cool thing about the commercial forum was that not only did they have only ONE consultant … he spent 8 hours coaching the attendees. 

 

Not only did attendees learn about the strategies and systems that need to be put in place, they got a jump on that work and had a chance to ask questions as they went.

Evening Chill

After day one attendees headed off to a fireside bar to mingle, brainstorm and have a little downtime. Dave Scaturro, Aaron Moore and Ian Seigner all pause for a quick pose.

Session Time – Classroom Day 2

I think almost every contractor that I have ever spoken to about events has said that talking to other contractors is one of the top benefits they get from any event. Brainstorming with peers and listening to successful contractors was what day 2 was all about – though there were some sessions sprinkled in on estimating and bonds. Contractors broke into multiple groups based on random selection to revenue for the second part of the day. Here they aired their struggles, talked about successes and helped each other the sometimes rough waters of building a commercial painting business.

Adventure Time

If there is an event trend in 2019, it’s adventure! I’ve seen more events incorporating local excursions than any time I can remember in my career. Work/life balance baby! And this one was pretty awesome! 3M took the entire event attendance out on a Pink Jeep tour of the Sedona back country.

The Commercial Forum attendees! Thanks 3M!! And thanks Pink Jeep!

The Last Hurrah… well for this year

Sherwin-Williams welcomed the guests to a final formal dinner where everyone enjoyed an incredible dinner...

along with a little star gazing.  

Just for Fun

In addition to all of the conference-hosted events, many found time to take to the trails. 

Besi Janova from Alpine Painting and Sandblasting enjoying the view of Sedona.

Finally ... Animals

I’m only including this because the animals in Sedona are unlike animals I've personally seen anywhere I've lived. 

These are Javelinas.

 

Meep Meep!

Thanks to Chad Lyons for this one... yes, Tarantula! 

 

Want to learn more about the Commercial Forum? Click here!

 

 

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If cost and liability were not an issue, what's your one must-have at the company picnic?

Paintball Feld
39%
Axe Throwing
30%
10-Foot Nacho Trough
12%
Potato Salad
19%

Dang it's hot! Does your work vehicle have an orange water cooler?

Yes
22%
No
43%
It's not orange
35%

Did you work for a painting contractor prior to owning your company?

Yes
61%
No
39%

Why haven't you hired a business coach?

Not worth the money
30%
Too difficult to find a good one
19%
I don't need one
30%
I did hire one!
22%

Has OSHA ever inspected your jobsite?

Yes
53%
No
48%

Who Buys the Paint Brushes?

We do...the company
69%
Our painters buy their own
31%

What's the most paint you've ever spilled?

Brush-full
12%
Gallon
54%
5 Gallons
23%
An Ungodly Amount
11%

Did you take a week-long (or longer) vacation this summer?

Yes
45%
No
44%
Not yet, but I'm gonna
11%

If you had to rename your company one of the following, which would it be?

Flapjack Painting
19%
Porkchop Painting
7%
Half Slab Painting
10%
Whole Hog Painting
64%

You meet someone new, and they ask what you do. What do you say?

I'm a painter
12%
I'm a contractor
5%
I'm a painting contractor
52%
I own a painting business
31%

On the job site, my painters mostly listen to...

Classic Rock
29%
Country
10%
Hip Hop
4%
Who knows. They got headphones
56%

Which social media platform is most effective for marketing your business?

Facebook
34%
Instagram
11%
LinkedIn
6%
I don't use one
49%

What do you drive for work?

Pickup Truck
51%
Van
28%
SUV
13%
Other
9%

How long ago did you redesign your company hat?

Choices

Do you have a spray booth?

Choices

If you've bought a used sprayer, was it a good decision?

Choices

Will your crews be working the week between Christmas and New Years?

Choices

Do you accept credit card payments from customers?

Choices

Will you be giving end-of-year bonuses (not gifts) this year?

Choices
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