NEFI Packs Expo Education Agenda

Expo kicks of June 10 at DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

New England Fuel Institute (NEFI) will offer more 15 choices of educational sessions during the 2015 NEFI Energy Expo, which takes place June 10-11 at the DCU Center, in Worcester, Mass.

Dr. Philip K. Verleger Jr., a leading authority on energy economics, will deliver a keynote address during brunch on Wednesday, June 10. Dr. Verleger has predicted many of the major structural changes in the energy sector. In 1986, he was the first economist to comprehend and explain the appearance and development of energy commodity markets. This analysis led to his prediction of the oil price collapse that year. Dr. Verleger has chronicled the evolution of these markets since then and been a leading figure globally in driving their growth. In 2012, he was the first economist to write extensively on the United States’ emergence as an energy exporter.

Educational sessions will be held on both mornings of the Expo, with the first sessions commencing at 8:45 and the second sessions following at 10 a.m. The complete schedule is posted on the NEFI website at www.nefi.com/expo.php.

Here is a look at some of education sessions on tap for the Expo.

Data Compromise-Cyber Liability: Data Breaches—the theft, loss or mistaken release of private information—are on the rise. Learn to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of costly and time-consuming cybercrime. (Presented by Federated Insurance)

The Cost Effective Strategies to Get More Customers: The most basic fact of business: Your company needs new customers to survive. Strategies presented will increase lead generation and new customer conversions at the lowest acquisition costs possible. Find out how to drive more potential customers to your company, streamline the enrollment and credit process, utilize your sales team more effectively, and create new customers—all for less than you thought possible! (Presented by PriMedia)

Declining Distillate Values & Impact on Bioheat® Fuel: Explore consumer demand for a cleaner, less carbon intensive, more efficient home heating fuel and how the marketplace is reacting. What should marketers be doing today to ensure their customers will continue to be their customers tomorrow? How do current distillate values impact the use of Bioheat® Fuel? Will Bioheat® Fuel remain competitive as the US opens its doors to the world market? (Presented by Gene Gebolys, World Energy)

Families in Energy A Panel Discussion: This will be a panel discussion on the everyday situations a family-owned business must deal with from hierarchy, management, and operations and how to keep the business profitable for the next generation. (Moderated by Joe Ciccarello, Gray, Gray, & Gray)

Evolution of Dealer Contracts: Learn how other NEFI members have benefited in the past year from the revolutionary “Own the Home” approach to service contracts developed by the ProGuard Plus Program. (Presented by Gary Missigman, Justine Falletta, & Jim Tyrrell of The Powderhorn Agency)

Bioheat® Fuel Town Hall Meeting: A Town Hall Meeting and open discussion that will provide a forum to address a wide range of Bioheat® Fuel issues such as: B20 heating oil ASTM specification, next generation high efficiency equipment, the Renewable Fuel Standard and future biodiesel production, supply management, blending requirements, etc. (Moderated by Paul Nazzaro, Nazzaro Group & National Biodiesel Board and Don Farrell, Indoor Comfort Marketing)

Price Protection & Advanced Risk Management: The current downturn in the energy market has presented retail marketers with unique challenges. Explore the 2014-15 market implications and how to prevent impact on an energy marketer when such market inversions occur. (Presented by Gary Sippin, Destwin)

Importance of Proper Record Keeping: The importance of proper documentation is paramount to the success of your business and safety of your customers. This presentation will focus on what type of data you should be collecting from the field and how to use that data. (Presented by Kyle Koerber, Boston Environmental & Eric Leskinen, Pro-Dot Consulting)

Demystifying Digital Marketing: What digital tools, such as email marketing, social media, are you using? Learn to create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy and align it with the rest of your marketing strategy and business goals. (Presented by Megan Smith-Gill, Gill Marketing Group)

Biodiesel Fuels: Sell Beyond the Arbitrage: For 20 years, the biodiesel industry has accepted every challenge thrown at it and prevailed. It’s cleaner, sustainable, and supported by scientific and field data. Where is biodiesel’s niche? Will biodiesel remain the petroleum light cycle oil, or will it find its rightful place as a core fuel to power diesel engines and home heating systems? (Presented by Paul Nazzaro, National Biodiesel Board & Brian Gerhart, Petroleum Products Group)

Navigating a Successful Transaction: The sale of a business is an important time for an owner looking to retire and for a company looking to grow. The panelists will discuss challenges they faced in valuing their business, preparing and evaluating offers, financing structures and ultimately what killed or sealed the deal. (Presented by Steven Abbate, Cetane Associates)

Legal Issues Pertaining to Claims, Oil Spills, Subrogation: Have you had spill claims from customers and had to invoke your liability insurance? Did you know heating oil dealers are becoming prime targets for claim subrogation from insurance companies? Found out how to defend yourself and your company. (Presented by Chris Foster, Robinson & Cole, & Paige Berry, Saul Ewing)

Lessons from This Winter: Between the extraordinary price drop and perilous levels of snow and cold, the effects of this winter will linger for some time. Examine how to close cracks in delivery and service, while enhancing profitability. (Moderated by Ed Cardell, Warm Thoughts Communications)

Propane in NE: Knowing the Regulations and Supply Chain: Regulations: Learn what are the pitfalls to facility sitings, propane tank ownership, and other regulatory issues that vary depending upon your location. Supply Chain: Learn the important propane supply elements that are uncommon to the traditional heating oil supply world. (Presented by Sean Cota, Cetane Associates)

Consumers’ Attitudes Towards Oil & Gas: To win the battle to retain customers with oil, you need to better understand what will keep them with you. The presenters will share market research collected on behalf of several oil heat associations as well as insight and findings and the implications to fight this battle going forward. (Presented by Ken Reese, Warm Thoughts Communications & Chris Herb, CEMA)

PAYGO: What if you billed your customers after they actually used your fuel, just like the utility companies? Find out if this innovative marketing and finance approach could transform the future of your business. (Presented by Phil Baratz, Angus Energy & Rich Goldberg, Warm Thoughts)

The Energy Expo, themed “Fuel Your Future,” will also feature a Technician Workshop led by Wesson Energy and the School for Energy Efficiency. Technicians will learn about the whole-home approach to energy conservation, building science, new fuel blends, home automation, and ductless heat pumps.

NEFI has booked blocks of rooms for exhibitors and attendees at four Worcester hotels. The hotels, the room rates, the phone numbers, and the contact people are as follows: The Hilton Garden Inn, $159, 508-753-5700, Emily Crandall; Holiday Inn Express, $135, 508-757-0400, Mia Flavin; Courtyard by Marriott, $159, 508-363-0300, Olivia Armstrong; Beechwood Hotel, $179 to $269, 508-754-5789, Marissa Boss. When calling to book a room, mention the 2015 NEFI Expo.

Online registration is available for both exhibitors and attendees at www.nefi.com/expo.php. Anyone who would like to become a premium Expo sponsor or sponsor an event or giveaway during the Expo can contact Rick Trout (ricktrout@comcast.net) or George Wilson (gwilson@angusenergy.com).

For more information, contact NEFI Chief Operating Officer Martha Leshine at 504-236-3300 or Martha.Leshine@nefi.com.

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