Mike Miazga

Now more than ever, legislative and regulatory decisions play a major role in the way PHCP and PVF distributors conduct business. A blue-chip panel of distributors had plenty to say about that and many other hot-button topics during an exclusive roundtable interview conducted by Supply House Times and the American Supply Association during NetworkASA 2013 at the Renaissance Marriott DC Downtown Hotel in Washington.

If the preshow buzz is any indication, the co-locating of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builders’ Show already is a smash hit. The two major industry trade shows go under the same roof for the first time Feb. 4-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of what is being billed as Design & Construction Week.

I trust everybody had a fun and safe holiday season. I know some folks north of the border certainly enjoyed theirs thanks to some outstanding customer service. Canadian airline WestJet had a virtual Santa ask passengers at airports in Toronto and Hamilton what they wanted for Christmas. Once those planes took off, WestJet employees went on a shopping spree and delivered the specific presents to those same passengers when they arrived at baggage claim in Calgary.

The Equity Plumbing buying group celebrated its fifth anniversary earlier this year and recently held its well-attended first annual national meeting.

Back in my middle- and high-school days I was caught more than once substituting the sports page of the Chicago Tribune for a textbook. Three decades later I’ve fully embraced Twitter as a one-stop-shop for learning new things.

In the ever-evolving world of master distribution, anything a company can do to gain efficiencies can be a game-changer.

Affiliated Distributors Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg sees a bright future for the Pennsylvania-based buying group. And he’s taken steps to ensure the group’s long-term viability.

It doesn’t take long to notice John Strong’s laidback and fun-loving approach to life. A conversation with the tell-it-like-it-is Strong almost always contains some type of humor.

With NetworkASA 2013 being held in Washington, D.C., one of the main attractions of the convention was the opportunity for ASA members to meet with their members of Congress.

With Halloween having recently passed, I recall as a child going to a haunted house at our town’s American Legion hall. While other children were screaming, I looked at the costumed American Legion worker holding a fake chainsaw and gave him a “come on, now” look as I shook my head and walked away.