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2025 Wisconsin Connection Conference Sessions

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Pre-Conference Networking Happy Hour

1/13/2025 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Opening Welcome Address

1/14/2025 9:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Summary
Grab a bite to eat, some coffee and juice as we kick off our 2025 Wisconsin Conference. BLD Connection President will offer some opening words before you dive into some thought-provoking learning, impactful discussions and building connections with your industry colleagues. Get ready for a day full of insights and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Owners/Managers Roundtable

1/14/2025 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Business owners and managers are invite to this engaging roundtable discussion with your peers. Discover how others are tackling today’s most pressing topics. Attendees are asked to share their insights, exchange ideas, and gain valuable perspectives in a collaborative setting.

Operations Seminar – Design, Discipline, and Development: The Path to Operational Excellence

1/14/2025 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Speakers
  • David Wells
    David Wells, LBM Operations Consultant and Industrial Architect. Leaning on his rich 36 years as a leader in multi-location operations, David uses enhanced facility design, process improvement, and superb operational efficiencies to enable independent LBM dealers to operationally excel and dominate. David also advised and educates in the disciplines of inventory management, purchasing and pricing, standard operation procedures and strategic planning.
Summary
Soft economies emphasize the crucial need for superior expense controls. Operation inefficiencies generate soft cost losses which can be eliminated with proper planning, effective design, and strong discipline. Use this seminar to create strategic plans to elevate your operations team into a highly effective and intentionally efficient workforce. Discover how to optimize facility design, select the right equipment, and establish the necessary systems and processes for operational excellence. Utilize these tools to maximize ROI in your key assets - people, facilities, and equipment. This seminar is designed for operational leaders, branch managers, executives, and LBM business owners with single or multiple locations.

Sales Seminar – OSR -Improve your Gross Margins

1/14/2025 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Speakers
  • Mike McDole
    Mike McDole has been in the pro-dealer industry for 40+ years. After 20 years w/National Lumber Co. (New England), the last 12 years as SVP, he started Firing-Line LBM Advisors in 2021 and has dealer clients throughout the US. In his time w/NLC they grew from 3 locs & $94mm to 14 locs & $470mm w/ 44 OSR’s. McDole’s consulting expertise is in sales management; increase sales profitably; prospecting; bottom-line improvement; metrics to improve efficiency; and more. He writes regular columns for a trade magazine & has spoken at numerous conferences. Mike has also been guests on webinars with Bradley Hartmann, Rick Davis, Craig Webb, Thea Dudley. He is also a special presenter for Bradley Hartmann’s OSR Academy. McDole is also involved with Greg Brooks’ Executive Council.
Summary
Ready to transform your lumberyard's profitability? Join us for a high-impact seminar to help Outside Sales Reps and Sales Managers supercharge your margins and elevate your sales game! Discover game-changing strategies for pricing, upselling, and ways to track and analyze sales performance. Learn how to turn every sale into a margin-boosting opportunity and watch sales and commissions soar. Don’t miss out on this chance to transform your approach and drive your business to new heights!

Networking Lunch, Awards, and Keynote

1/14/2025 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Speakers
  • Russ Kathrein
Summary
After our morning sessions, grab a seat and enjoy lunch with your colleagues. Lunch is on us, but you must register in advance. Once we’ve had a chance to refuel, the BLD Connection - Wisconsin and WLDEF membership meetings will kick off with the election of new board members, followed by a celebration of outgoing board members and member achievement awards.

Seminar – Simplify, Energize, and Motivate

1/14/2025 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Speakers
  • David Wells
    David Wells, LBM Operations Consultant and Industrial Architect. Leaning on his rich 36 years as a leader in multi-location operations, David uses enhanced facility design, process improvement, and superb operational efficiencies to enable independent LBM dealers to operationally excel and dominate. David also advised and educates in the disciplines of inventory management, purchasing and pricing, standard operation procedures and strategic planning.
Summary
Energy applied to eliminate waste, refine productivity, and increase efficiency is not only worthwhile but also fiscally rewarding. These corrective efforts reduce soft costs, boost output, and reduce stress. However, modern methodologies like LEAN, Six Sigma, and Kaizen can be daunting. This seminar simplifies these powerful methodologies, offering key elements tailored to LBM operational challenges with clarity and simplicity, aiming to break legacy thought patterns and instill a culture of perpetual efficiency driven by operational priorities. Designed for key operations staff, production managers, executives, and LBM business owners, this seminar focuses on shaping mindsets towards a lean and productive workforce.

Sales Seminar - Project Management

1/14/2025 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Speakers
  • Mike McDole
    Mike McDole has been in the pro-dealer industry for 40+ years. After 20 years w/National Lumber Co. (New England), the last 12 years as SVP, he started Firing-Line LBM Advisors in 2021 and has dealer clients throughout the US. In his time w/NLC they grew from 3 locs & $94mm to 14 locs & $470mm w/ 44 OSR’s. McDole’s consulting expertise is in sales management; increase sales profitably; prospecting; bottom-line improvement; metrics to improve efficiency; and more. He writes regular columns for a trade magazine & has spoken at numerous conferences. Mike has also been guests on webinars with Bradley Hartmann, Rick Davis, Craig Webb, Thea Dudley. He is also a special presenter for Bradley Hartmann’s OSR Academy. McDole is also involved with Greg Brooks’ Executive Council.
Summary
A salesperson with strong project management skills excels in coordinating complex tasks, managing client relationships, and ensuring timely delivery of products. From initial planning through to successful completion, the salesperson must be adept at overseeing multiple facets of the project to ensure smooth operations and high client satisfaction. During this program we’ll discuss the importance of building strong client relationships, how to develop and coordinate a project plan, the necessity for understanding budgets, addressing supply chain/inventory demand and the importance of anticipating potential issues and having a contingency plan. By mastering these project management skills, you can enhance your effectiveness, drive successful project outcomes, and contribute to overall business growth.

Seminar - Leadership

1/14/2025 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Speakers
  • Russ Kathrein
    Russ Kathrein is the Vice President of Lumber & Building Materials at Do it Best, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was raised in his family's lumber business and earned a degree in finance from Michigan State. He worked for NCR and United Airlines before returning to the building materials industry, where he has worked for industry leaders, such as 84 Lumber, BMC West (now BMC), ProBuild (now BFS), and Alexander Lumber Co. Russ is passionate about the art of leadership and the human element of business. He has successfully led many operations by first getting the people part correct and aligning the team, then focusing the team on the fundamental issues.
Summary
This fast-paced seminar will equip owners, managers and team leaders with some of today’s essential leadership strategies that drive growth and foster a dynamic work environment. We’ll focus on the foundational approaches used by exceptional leaders, the importance of developing effective team synergy, and ways to navigate industry-specific challenges to enhance overall organizational performance and lasting success.

Customer Panel Discussion with WBA

1/14/2025 3:15 PM- 4:30 PM

Speakers
  • Brad Boycks
    Brad Boycks is the executive director of the Wisconsin Builders Association. Brad manages all of WBA's public policy efforts and manages the association. He works with WBA leaders and members to understand the needs of the industry and to provide members with the valuable tools and opportunities created by WBA's advocacy initiatives. Brad is also responsible for helping the association establish legislative priorities, working with legislators and regulators to get those priorities addressed, and interpreting new or proposed laws.
Summary
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring builders, contractors, and remodelers. This is a unique opportunity to gain invaluable perspectives from industry leaders as they delve into the factors they consider when selecting a lumber and building material supplier. Our panelists will share their experiences and insights into the most significant challenges they encounter and the evolving demands of the construction and remodeling sectors. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics between suppliers and contractors, and collaborative approaches being used to foster stronger partnerships. This panel discussion aims to bridge gaps, address pain points, and ultimately contribute to the success and growth of all sectors involved. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a conversation that could redefine the way you approach your business relationships.

Networking Reception & Prizes

1/14/2025 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Summary
Keep the energy buzzing and the conversations flowing with great old and new friends along with your valued business partners as we close out the day with our Networking Reception! Enjoy a hosted bar with complimentary beer, soda, and delicious hors d’oeuvres. To add to the fun, we’ll be drawing for our cash prize giveaways during the reception! You must be present to win.
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