2024 ISFA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
EDUCATION SESSION BREAKOUTS
FABRICATE
Wednesday, November 6, 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Safety First: Best Practices & Leadership in a Safe Shop
In today’s fast-paced fabrication environment, ensuring safety is crucial not only for protecting workers but also for maintaining productivity and long-term success. This session will dive into the most effective safety practices for the stone fabrication industry, from handling slabs to final installation. Attendees will also learn how strong leadership can foster a culture of safety, reduce accidents, and improve overall operational efficiency.
You will learn in this session:
- Essential safety practices for slab handling and installation.
- Leadership’s influence on building a safety-first workplace.
- Tools and strategies for enhancing safety protocols.
- The impact of proactive safety measures on reducing accidents and boosting productivity.
- Real-world examples of safety-first cultures driving business success.
 About Tim Denzer
Tim Denzer is the Senior Vice President of Channel Partner Safety and Education at Cambria. He leads safety education programs promoting the health and safety of all workers in the stone fabrication and installation industry.
Wednesday, November 6, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Eight Steps to Improving Your Sales Team's Capacity
Unlock the potential of your existing sales team by honing in on the most impactful elements of your sales system. This presentation will show you how to focus on what truly matters, establish the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive performance, and align your sales strategies and tactics with the goals that will yield the greatest results.
You will learn in this session:
- Identify the key areas of your sales system that drive the most impact.
- Develop the right set of KPIs to measure and improve sales performance.
- Learn how to align sales strategies with critical business objectives.
- Understand how to maximize your existing sales team’s potential.
- Connect tactics to outcomes that directly affect your bottom line.
 About Rick Phelps
Rick Phelps has been enabling business owners, leaders, and managers to excel at their roles for over 40 years. Rick, with his business partner and son, Mark Phelps, own Synchronous Solutions, a consulting and coaching company that has been teaching countertop fabricating companies how to excel for over 20 years. Synchronous Solutions current and past client list is a who’s who of the fabrication industry. Their Synchronous Flow System is a science and logic-based system that connects and aligns all roles in the business, from end to end and top to bottom.
Wednesday, November 6, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Shop to Office Transition: How to Make it Work
Are you frequently racing against the clock to complete jobs on time for installation deadlines? Do you find it challenging to collect all necessary job details for your CAD team to program accurately and on time? If you're constantly sending your salespeople back to customers to finalize critical information, it's a sign that your front office processes may need refinement. Join us to discover how other fabrication shops have eliminated these challenges, resulting in up to 20% additional shop capacity without increasing costs.
You will learn in this session:
- Learn how to streamline your front office processes for improved efficiency.
- Discover solutions that reduce time spent on job details and back-and-forth communication.
- Find out how shops have freed up 20% of their capacity through process improvements.
- Gain insights into minimizing delays and improving job accuracy from start to finish.
 About Ed Young
Ed is a seasoned expert in the countertop fabrication industry, having successfully run his own fabrication shop and helped countless others do the same. His extensive experience spans working with businesses of all sizes, from small one-person operations to large international corporations. As a subject matter expert, Ed specializes in business operations, process optimization, and employee development, with a keen focus on improving overall efficiency and profitability. He has played a pivotal role in helping shops eliminate bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and significantly increase their production capacity.
A former business owner himself, Ed understands firsthand the pressures of managing a growing workforce, keeping customers satisfied, and maintaining profitability while navigating the unpredictable economic and market challenges that can arise. His dedication to helping others succeed has earned him recognition and respect throughout the fabrication community.
Thursday, November 7, 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
OSHA Update: What to Expect in 2025 & Beyond
Join ISFA staff, Board leadership, and industry experts as they share the latest updates on OSHA regulations and what to expect in 2025 and beyond. This session will provide valuable insights into upcoming compliance changes, how they will impact your business, and the steps you can take to ensure your shop is prepared for the evolving regulatory landscape.
You will learn in this session:
- Learn about key OSHA regulatory updates expected in 2025.
- Understand how these changes will impact safety protocols and compliance requirements.
- Gain practical tips for preparing your shop for new regulations.
- Hear from industry experts on strategies for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace.
- Stay ahead of potential compliance challenges to avoid costly penalties.
 
 
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