Contractor Leadership LIVE took over Cleveland’s Huntington Convention Center last week, bringing a fresh new spin on the industry educational event to hundreds of contractors looking to take their businesses to the next level. From September 12 to 14, contractors gathered to experience presentations from some of the industry’s leading educators, a wide-ranging vendor exhibition featuring the leading home services companies, one-of-a-kind networking opportunities, and an unforgettable celebrity closing keynote.
On September 12, early attendees were treated to a pair of complimentary sessions. First, America’s Service Coach Joe Crisara, and Mike Robinson of EGIA Contractor University, led an intensive course on Pure Motive Pricing – a new paradigm that maximizes revenue by shifting the emphasis in flat-rate pricing from materials to service value. That afternoon, Ellen Rohr – the frequent TV guest, writer, acclaimed motivational speaker and president of Zoom Drain – took attendees through an invaluable subject: how to have the tough conversations. Over two hours, with eager suggestions from the audience, Ellen tackled everything from how to deal with the chronic latecomer to what to do when genuine family crises are affecting work performance.
On Wednesday, September 13, the first full Contractor Leadership LIVE conference day was opened with a rousing keynote from New York Times best-selling author Weldon Long. Weldon brought the crowd to its feet with a drum intro before delivering his jaw-dropping story of going from petty crime, jail and a homeless shelter to building his own successful HVAC company, including the specific sales and prosperity mindset strategies that took it from 0 to $20 million in sales in its first five years.
A vendor exhibition and networking lunch followed, before giving way to two rounds of breakout sessions, led by a dream team of industry educators largely drawn from the EGIA Contractor University roster. Drew Cameron, Brigham Dickinson, Gary Elekes, James Leichter, Mark Matteson and Peter Troast presented on myriad topics vital to successful contracting companies, including how financing can increase sales, how to use marketing and the internet to break the cycle of seasonal earnings, how to book more of the calls you’re already receiving, and more. The day was then capped off with a once-in-lifetime evening networking reception, as the conference took over the entire Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 3+ hours of food, drinks and networks set against a backdrop of world famous musical exhibitions, films and artwork.
On Thursday, following breakfast and quick morning remarks, attendees were once again given access to two rounds of breakout sessions, ensuring they’d see as many topics as possible, as well as another networking luncheon and exposure to the vendor exhibition.
Finally, Contractor Leadership LIVE came to its conclusion with a truly unforgettable event: a closing keynote from NFL legend, future Hall-of-Famer and renowned leader Ray Lewis. In an incredibly candid and informative presentation, Ray opened by answering a number of questions from the audience before talking about his own life story and how his experiences driving himself to success, leading a team, overcoming adversity, and working together with teammates of varying backgrounds translates to any organization, any person. The emotional, utterly unforgettable speech closed to a standing ovation from the audience.