BLUE HAWK Conference 2023: A Success

The recent BLUE HAWK Conference in Austin, Texas, was a major success, bringing together professionals from the HVAC industry to network, learn, and share best practices. The conference was held over three days and featured keynote speakers, workshops, and panel discussions.

The conference kicked off on Sunday, April 30th, with a series of workshops covering a variety of topics, including:

• The Dashboard: A new cloud-based platform that provides real-time insights into business performance
• Bluon: A new software solution that helps HVAC businesses manage their customers and inventory
• ERC Tax Credit: A tax credit that can help HVAC businesses save money on energy costs
• The new BLUE HAWK Marketplace: A new online marketplace where HVAC businesses can buy and sell products and services
• Energy Solutions: A panel discussion on the latest energy trends and how they are impacting the HVAC industry
• Succession Planning Panel: A panel discussion on how to plan for the future of your HVAC business

After the workshops, the Next Level Leadership Development Program kick-off took place. This program is designed to help HVAC professionals develop the skills they need to be successful leaders.

The evening concluded with a new member/first timers Meet & Greet, where first-time attendees could meet in a smaller group with fellow new members, the BLUE HAWK Board of Directors, and staff. The Meet & Greet featured the New Product Showcase, where attendees could learn about the latest products and services from BLUE HAWK partners.

Day two of the conference began with a member-owners meeting. This meeting allowed members to learn about the latest news and updates from BLUE HAWK. After the member-owners meeting, attendees could participate in face-to-face meetings at the Alliance and Solution Partner Center. These meetings allowed attendees to meet with vendors and partners to discuss their specific needs.

The afternoon of day two featured the awards lunch. At the awards lunch, BLUE HAWK recognized its top performers and partners.

In the evening, Infor hosted a happy hour at the pool bar at the hotel to thank our customers for the business and discuss with some prospects how we can help make their business more efficient with our industry-specific ERP and WMS solutions. This was an opportunity for attendees to relax and network with other attendees. The happy hour was followed by the battle of the bands, where BLUE HAWK members showed off their musical skills on the stage!

On the conference’s final day, there were more face-to-face meetings in the Alliance and Solution Partner Center. Infor discussed with members how Infor CloudSuite™ Distribution is built specifically for the needs of small- to medium-size wholesale distributors. It’s a comprehensive enterprise solution that weaves innovation into core competencies to help you better serve customers, outpace the competition, and expand profitability. You can optimize every facet of your operations, from sales, omnichannel engagement, inventory, and warehousing, to financials, value-add services, and more. Infor solutions can help you accelerate business by managing transactions with unparalleled visibility across the enterprise, allowing for better informed and faster decision-making.

The BLUE HAWK annual Gives Back activity was held at LifeWorks Austin. LifeWorks advocates for more than 4,000 youth and families, many facing life’s most difficult challenges, including homelessness, trauma, and abuse.

The conference concluded with a post-conference networking event, the Hill Country Distillery, Brewery & BBQ Tour. This tour allowed attendees to sample what Hill Country offers regarding food, drinks, and entertainment.

Overall, the BLUE HAWK Conference was a significant success, providing attendees with valuable insights, networking opportunities, and a platform for sharing best practices. As the HVAC industry evolves, events like this will play an essential role in helping companies stay ahead of the curve and build a stronger future together.

Key takeaways from the BLUE HAWK Conference

• The HVAC industry is changing rapidly, and businesses must be prepared to adapt.
• Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the HVAC industry.
• Networking with other professionals in the HVAC industry is essential for success.
• Sharing best practices with other professionals can help businesses improve their operations.
• Moving to the cloud is an essential first step in your digital transformation.

The BLUE HAWK Conference was a valuable opportunity for HVAC professionals to learn, network, and share best practices. The conference gave attendees the tools and resources to succeed in the ever-changing HVAC industry.  

Learn more about Infor solutions for distributors.