Building Community Around Your Plumbing and HVACR Business
Plumbing and HVACR work has always been about more than pipes, fittings, and flame. It is a people business built on skill, trust, and relationships. Two recent initiatives from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) highlight just how powerful that community can be for contractors who want to grow stronger, more profitable companies.
On one side, PHCC’s CONNECT 2026 conference delivers live education, new technology, and high-value networking in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the other, a major new scholarship investment from Bernzomatic gives future technicians and contractors a clearer path into the trades. Used together, they offer a practical roadmap for building a better team and a better business.
Conference Connections That Strengthen Your Business
CONNECT 2026 will take place October 19–22 in Milwaukee at the Baird Center. This annual conference is designed specifically for plumbing and HVACR contractors, bringing together professionals from across the country for education sessions, networking opportunities, and industry insights aimed at strengthening businesses.
The event centers on the theme “Building Community. Advancing the Industry.” Over three days, contractors are immersed in focused learning, connections with peers and partners, and a Product & Technology Showcase that now spans October 20–21. That extended showcase window gives attendees more time to explore solutions and engage directly with exhibitors.
By design, the conference helps contractors in several key ways:
- Focused education sessions let you dig into the business and technical topics that matter most to your operation.
- Industry insights from experts and peers help you see what is coming next and how to prepare.
- Product and technology displays allow you to compare tools, systems, and solutions side by side, with time to ask detailed questions.
PHCC leadership emphasizes that when contractors share ideas and learn from each other, individual companies and the entire industry benefit. Attending events like CONNECT 2026 is not just about getting away from the office; it is about bringing back practical ideas that can improve service quality, profitability, and team performance.
Turning CONNECT 2026 into Real-World Results
CONNECT 2026 is also structured to make building relationships easier. The Opening Brew City Bash celebrates Milwaukee’s heritage and gives contractors a relaxed setting to meet new people. A closing party at the Harley-Davidson Museum combines food, networking, and live music, creating memorable conversations that can turn into long-term partnerships.
The conference wraps up with an awards breakfast on Thursday morning, recognizing industry achievements and sending attendees home with fresh motivation, ideas, and contacts. These events are more than social gatherings; they are chances to solve problems and uncover opportunities with people who understand your day-to-day challenges.
- Use the social events to compare notes on pricing, staffing, and scheduling strategies with contractors outside your market.
- Set specific goals before you arrive, such as meeting potential subcontractors, learning about a new product category, or finding a new training resource.
- Bring key team members so they can attend separate education tracks and compare takeaways afterward.
When you return from CONNECT 2026, a quick internal debrief can turn conference notes into concrete action items for operations, customer service, and training.
Scholarships That Support the Next Generation of Plumbers
PHCC’s commitment to contractors does not end with conferences. The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers founded in 1987, is focused on preparing the industry’s workforce through education and training. A new investment from Bernzomatic significantly expands that support.
Bernzomatic, a long-established leader known for its torches, MAP-Pro and propane tanks, has joined as a major sponsor of the PHCC scholarship program. The company is funding more than 50 new scholarships through 2029 for students pursuing plumbing or HVAC apprenticeships, service technician training, or college degrees directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling field.
Even though trade schools and apprenticeships typically cost less than traditional university programs, training expenses can still be a barrier. Individuals just entering the trades may be on entry-level wages, and older workers shifting careers often balance education with family responsibilities. The Foundation’s scholarships help remove those obstacles by offsetting technical education costs, giving students more freedom to focus on building skills that increase their long-term earning potential.
Using Scholarships to Strengthen Your Team
Scholarships do more than help individual students. They can also be a strategic tool for plumbing and HVACR contractors looking to build stronger teams. With Bernzomatic’s investment, the PHCC Educational Foundation plans to award 80 scholarships in 2026, with up to $200,000 in funding available. Applications and supporting materials are due by May 1, and a committee of contractor volunteers reviews and scores each submission, with winners notified in early August.
Employers who pay for employee training can still benefit when their people earn scholarships. Awards reduce overall training costs and can free up company resources for additional education, tools, or other priorities. Just as important, scholarship winners often feel a deeper sense of pride and responsibility, which can translate into better performance and stronger commitment.
- Encourage apprentices, service technicians, and future leaders in your company to apply for PHCC scholarships when they are eligible.
- Recognize scholarship recipients internally to highlight their initiative and set an example for the rest of the team.
- Align your training budget with available scholarship opportunities so you can stretch every dollar further.
- Use the scholarship application process as a way to talk with employees about their long-term career goals in the plumbing and HVACR trades.
Connecting Events, Education, and Long-Term Success
PHCC has been supporting plumbing and HVACR businesses since 1883 through advocacy, education, and services aimed at professionalism and profitability. The combination of CONNECT 2026 and expanded scholarship funding from Bernzomatic and the PHCC Educational Foundation shows how community, events, and education can work together for contractors.
By planning to attend CONNECT 2026 and actively promoting scholarship opportunities within your company, you position your business to gain fresh ideas, stronger skills, and a more engaged workforce. Those are the building blocks for plumbing and water systems companies that want to thrive in a changing marketplace while continuing to provide reliable, high-quality service to their customers.
