New York Building Performance Contractor Exchange Supports Sustainable Green-Collar Workforce Development

KINGSTON, N.Y. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - A New York Building Performance Contractor Exchange themed "Growing Your Business in a Difficult Market" will be presented on August 3-4 in Kingston, New York. The event goal is to facilitate networking and professional development among firms focused on traditional residential and small commercial remodeling, replacement and service contracting. To learn more, visit www.bpi.org/newyork or www.egia.org/newyork.

General sessions will feature interactive panel presentations with owners of New York-based contracting firms and industry experts who will discuss the potential for incorporating energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives into traditional contracting business practices to leverage federal, state and utility-sponsored incentive programs aimed at green collar workforce development, energy efficiency, smart meters, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

Attendees will learn how to profit from the emerging roles for building performance diagnostics and contractor certification to address energy savings as well as the comfort, health and safety concerns of building owners. They will also discover how to ramp up their businesses to take advantage federal and state Stimulus activities. Session titles include "Improving The Key Drivers of Business Profitability," "Positioning Your Company as 'The Quality Contractor'," and "Transforming Financial Statements into Management Tools." Concurrent breakout sessions will allow sponsoring organizations to present details on their efforts to leverage green collar workforce development and energy efficiency initiatives. The workshop is ideally suited for company owners and presidents who attend with their sales, service, installation and financial managers; and other key employees in the organization.

The New York Building Performance Contractor Exchange is being co-presented by the Building Performance Institute and the Electric and Gas Industries Association with funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and host utility, Central Hudson Gas and Electric. Other sponsors include: Efficiency First, ACI (Affordable Comfort, Inc.), Building Performance Contractors Association of New York State, GreEEnCollarEedu.net, and Callahan/Roach and Garofalo.

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) is a recognized global leader, supporting the development of a highly professional building performance industry through individual and organizational credentialing and a rigorous quality assurance program. BPI works with building performance industry stakeholders to ensure that the professional bar for excellence in building performance contracting is established and maintained by creating and regularly updating technical requirements through an open, transparent, consensus-based development process.

The Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA) is a non-profit organization that serves over 2,500 installation contractors, regional distributors, product manufacturers and other trade allies delivering energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to millions of homes and businesses. EGIA also delivers services on behalf of electric, gas, water utilities and municipalities, including financing, rebate program administration and rebate processing; contractor network management, training and certification; and sales channel development and support. EGIA has facilitated the financing of over 40,000 residential and business projects valued in excess of $500 million, and has administered over $250 million in rebate payments.

To learn more about registering to attend or sponsoring a breakout session, visit www.bpi.org/newyork or www.egia.org/newyork.

For the Electric & Gas Industries Association
Ed Thomas, 970-209-8347
ethomas@utilityexchange.org