Your GAWDA Connection | September 1, 2018
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FEATURED NEWS
GAWDA in the Great Northwest

Things to know before joining us in Seattle for the GAWDA 2018 Annual Convention : 

  1. If you download the GAWDA 2018 Annual Convention App you’ll always be up-to-date on all the event happenings as well as able to connect with other attendees.
  2. Be comfortable! We’re business casual and the average high temp in Seattle in September is 70 degrees; the low is 53 degrees. Click here for the 10-day forecast. 
  3. GAWDA’s Contact Booth Program is more exciting than ever and will be taking place on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Convention Center. Meet with suppliers, win prizes and more!
  4. Bring your Denim & Diamonds for the President’s Farewell Gala Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), a museum rich in collections of pop culture. You’ll be able to stroll around and discover legendary music artifacts, connect with old friends and enjoy great live entertainment. Monorail/shuttle service is being provided starting at 5:30 p.m.; don’t forget to wear your badge.
  5. Make sure you’ve registered for our special events including the GAWDA Young Professionals Boat Tour around Seattle on Monday and Women of Gases & Welding at Chihuly Gardens & Glass and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Center on Wednesday. Don’t miss out. Register here. 
  6. Extend your experience and enjoy the beauty of Seattle with a post-convention tour. Click here for details.
  7. Haven’t registered for the Annual Convention yet? Get started by clicking here. 

See you in Seattle! 
New for AC 2018 — Use the GAWDA App to Compete for a FREE Convention Delegate Registration!
In addition to the hugely popular Contact Booth Prize Program, this year we are offering a new competition through the GAWDA app. Download the GAWDA event app (called Attendee Hub in the app store) and search for the GAWDA 2018 Annual Convention. 

Every activity you perform on the app racks up points: from reviewing the schedule and speakers to uploading photos during the convention. The top three suppliers and distributors with the most points at the end of the AC will win a FREE DELEGATE REGISTRATION for the next convention! 

Track your points (and the competition!) by clicking on the Game icon in the app. Play EARLY and OFTEN — current GAWDA Member leaders include:
DISTRIBUTORS:
  1. David Healzer – Cee Kay Supply, Inc.
  2. Kyle McDougal – Advanced Gas & Welding Solutions, LLC
  3. Timm Evans - Cee Kay Supply, Inc.
 SUPPLIERS:
  1. Derek Kuhnle – Prism Visual Software, Inc.
  2. Sam Fatoohi – Pulsa
  3. Eric Wise – Wise Telemetry, LLC
Stay tuned for updated leaderboard standings in the Connection newsletters from now until the end of the AC!
A video explaining how to download the GAWDA 2018 AC app can be found here.
Last Call for Supplier Prizes for AC 2018 Contact Booth Program 

Everybody loves prizes, and if you’re a supplier, they’re a proven way to boost distributor member interest in your products and services. Contact Hannah Gray at GAWDA Media ( [email protected] or 315-445-2347, x114) today to register your prize offering.
One Regional Remaining in 2018
Registration is now open for the final Regional Meeting of 2018. Click on the link for the latest schedule of events.

Wed., October 3 – Fri., October 5 
Hershey, PA Regional Meeting
The Hotel Hershey
100 Hotel Road
Hershey, Pennsylvania 
Bryan Keen, meeting planner

Hot Off the Press ‒ The New Issue of Welding & Gases Today!

Watch the mail this week for your copy of the Summer 2018 issue of Welding & Gases Today .

GAWDA’s quarterly magazine presents the latest industry news, consultant advice, quarterly GAWDA Economic Analysis by ITR Economics and other important association information. 

This anniversary edition features dozens of member companies who are reaching business milestones in 2018. The member profile is the O.E. Meyer Company , which is celebrating its centennial this year. This issue also recaps the record-setting SMC and provides an overview of the 2018 GAWDA Annual Convention, “GAWDA in the Great Northwest,” with information on speakers, events and more. 
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE
FMCSA Publishes ANPRM on Driver HOS Reform

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that it is seeking public comment on revising four specific areas of current driver hours-of-service regulations, which limit the operating hours of commercial truck drivers for motor carriers of property.
Distributor Members:

LANIER WELDING PRODUCTS
EL-GA-GS-GT-PG
1116 Airport St. SW
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-536-0336 FAX 770-536-0338

Mike Rowe, owner

Brandon Smith, VP operations

Lanier Welding Products offers a complete line of welding equipment, accessories, safety supplies and tools.

VS CARBONICS
GT-LX
11800 SW 144th Court, Bay 2
Miami, FL 33186
305-215-2833

Dios Vazquez , president

VS Carbonics is an independent CO 2 and liquid nitrogen distributor. They also supply dry ice and specialty gas blends for a variety of applications.
Supplier Member:

JASIC TECHNOLOGIES AMERICA, INC. 
25503 74th Ave. S 
Kent, WA 98032 
253-859-6277 FAX 253-859-6286 

Chris Dickinson, president 

Sean Bagley, operations 

Debbie Brothers, admin manager 

JASIC Technologies America, home of Razorweld, specializes in high-quality welding and cutting equipment.
LINKS YOU’LL LIKE 
In our communications with members and research for the GAWDA publications, we often come upon links that are worth sharing. Check them out, and if you come across any links you like, please send them to [email protected].

Rocket Stove: Learn to weld a fuel-efficient rocket stove. Rocket stoves are gaining attention due to their simplicity, high heat production and low fuel requirement. A great project for getting young people interested in welding.

Pike Place Market: The website includes free downloadable guides to help you map out your visit to this world-famous market. Located within the nine-acre historic district with more than 80 restaurants and over 200 unique owner-operated shops, the Pike Place Market is a must-see for anyone visiting Seattle.
MEMBER NEWS
  • Wright Brothers, Inc. Announces New General Manager 
  • Tech Air Announces Acquisitions of Speed Industrial Supply, Leeper Brothers, and Colorado Distributing
  • Chart Announces Base Price Adjustments on Bulk Storage and Packaged Gas Equipment
NEW PRODUCTS
  • Black Stallion Introduces New Welding Cap and NFPA 2112/NFPA 70E Certified Welding Jacket
  • Eleet Cryogenics Now Offering New High-Performance Taylor-Wharton Micro-Bulk Tanks
  • Fluoramics Introduces New Multi-Purpose PTFE Tape