NEC Code Training – Valued Added Marketing Opportunity

I am going to step away from the norm of the type of articles that I usually submit for ElectricalTrends and attempt to call your attention to what I think is a huge opportunity for every electrical distributor and their customers – providing NEC Code training

Providing NEC Code training enables you to bring a value-added service to your customers and one that, most likely, your competition will not be able to bring.

Most of you have heard of Mike Holt, and perhaps more importantly, many of your customers know of Mike Holt and all know about the NEC Electric Code.

Mike is known nationally for his expertise and ongoing contributions to the development of almost every version of the NFPA NEC Electric Code as far back as any of us can remember.  You may have purchased some of his online training courses or publications, and possibly even had the experience of attending one of his larger-than-life in-person presentations.  On March 21^st Mike will be presenting an overview of the 2020 NFPA NEC Electric Code. This will be a live eight-hour presentation being held at the Hilton Low Country Conference Center in Summerville South Carolina. The event will be followed by a professional Trade Show featuring many major manufacturers.

The event is being sponsored by the Charleston Electrical Contractors Association and a local distributor, Atlantic Coast Electric Supply.

Now for the $64 question that I am sure many of you are wondering. Why am I talking to you about a code seminar hosted by a local distributor, maybe even a competitive distributor?

Let me try to explain what’s going on in somewhat of an organized fashion and answer as many of those questions as we can.

1. No one from Atlantic Coast Electric Supply (ACES) came to me or Channel Marketing Group and requested to advertise this event to the readership of ElectricalTrends
2. I went to John Marshall who is the President of ACES and to David Gordon who as you all know, owns Channel Marketing Group and I asked for permission to do this.
3. My logic is that education is the biggest challenge faced and greatest opportunity today in the distribution industry.
4. I believe that every time an electrical distributor goes out of business it hurts the rest of us and reduces our channel and its capabilities.
5. I have argued for years, that for the most part, your greatest challenge comes from alternative channels, not our fellow distributors.
6. This seminar is so good and so important that I wanted to open it up to everybody, and yes people do drive, fly, and even take trains to see Mike Holt in person. There are not that many going on today and the opportunity to attend one of these is much less than it used to be.
7. There is no better-qualified person that I’m aware of to teach the subject matter than Mike Holt.
8. I would like to see distributors send their better people and some of their customers.
9. The local distributor won’t solicit your customers or your people. You have my word and the word of John Marshall, the company owner, that just simply won’t happen.
10. If you participate, we will recognize that as a part of the event.

I can talk about this for another thousand words. You’ve heard my opinion about education in this industry time and time again. The designers question the expertise of the general contractors to select the distributors that have the ability to cope with the ever-changing landscape of product offerings and technology. The distributors question the expertise of their customers to do the installation and understand how the products work. A lot of our customers shy away from innovation and understanding the complexities of our industry.

You and your customers are undoubtedly aware, some from the painful experience of the devastating effects of a job site electrical accident or death. If OSHA determines the cause to be Code violations the effect on your customer’s business reputation and finances could be devastating.

This is a great opportunity. For those of you who know me, you know I have been around since dirt. I give you my word that you cannot find a better education opportunity for your people and your customers than this event.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been temporarily working with ACES for the last several months to help them develop both a marketing department and strategy. I will most likely be serving in that role as well as other activities, like being a resource for Channel Marketing Group, for a good part of 2022. I also have several other business associations and relationships.

Oh yes, I do have a sales pitch as it relates to cost. The fee to attend this comprehensive Code training is $399 per person, however, register by March 4 and receive a special discount to ElectricalTrends readers. When you use Coupon Code CMG you will receive a special 10% discount ($40 savings) off each registration. In addition, when you register 3 or more using this same Coupon Code CMG, you will receive one of those registrations FREE. That means 3 attendees for only $718 total! This exclusive Channel Marketing Group offer is for a limited time and expires on March 4.

There isn’t a better deal on this seminar. Also, Charleston is a great place to visit. The weather is usually great in mid-March. There are lots of activities to do and see, and my personal favorite, lots of fine restaurants and local breweries. Consider coming in on Friday or Saturday, bringing the family (or customers), spending quality time with them, then attending the event. They are welcome at the tradeshow that follows.

Please contact me directly if I can answer any questions or assist in any way. Kcain5622@gmail.com or 240.682.3660.

So, here’s the takeaway …

• ACES is one of Ken’s clients but he’s developed the training event and this  brochure (21_CODE Seminar Tradeshow 8pager_Dec21_WEB) and website. If you are interested in developing a NEC Code seminar, and / or tradeshow, Ken can help you develop the strategy and he has the relationships to implement the program for you.
• Attending the seminar is a great way to 1) see how these events are implemented and 2) a great way to educate your staff or 3) an opportunity to engage in customer relationship and host a few customers to Charleston for the weekend AND help them gain additional Code education.
• The session is open to manufacturer agents, distributors, contractors and any electrical staff / electricians.

Being known as “the training resource” for your customers, or in your market, should be an element of a distributor’s marketing strategy as it supports your customers, is valued by them and can be cost-effectively supported by your suppliers … and its a great way to socialize with your customers.