2023 Spring Conference

We are gearing up for our next big event: NARSA/IDEA’s 2023 Spring Conference April 27 & 28 hosted by Empire Radiator in Rochester, New York!

Our theme is “Fabricate to Generate Profits.” Add-on services are niches inside of an already niche business produce extra profits. Learn how Empire Radiator has invested in equipment to be able to fabricate parts to expand services and business. 

Our host hotel is The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa in Rochester, New York.  Members will only receive a hotel code when the registration is paid in full online.


Programming

*Events are subject to change.

Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Empire Radiator Service (606 Hague St Rochester, New York 14606)

Emissions Training – Diesel Laptops

Safety Standards that Affect Your Business – Randy Gardner, Western Maryland Safety Consultants

Oil Cooler Bundles & Service Procedures – L&M Radiator

Lunch

Scan Tool Demonstration – Diesel Laptops

Proper Lifting & Rigging Techniques – Randy Gardner, Western Maryland Safety Consultants

Radiator Parts Fabrication Demonstration – Empire Radiator

Tube Bending and Fabrication Demonstration – Empire Radiator

Welding & Fixture Table Demonstration – Empire Radiator

Cocktails

Dinner

Friday, April 28, 2023 at The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa in Rochester, New York.

Breakfast

“Advantage Play™: The Art of Knowing What’s Next” by Joel Block, Bullseye Capital

Lunch

Awards / Hall of Fame Recognition

Table Top Exhibits

Guest Speakers

Joel Block, Bullseye Capital

The adage “the house always wins” is a well-established truth in the world of gambling. However, there are a select few players who cause even the most powerful casinos to take notice. Dubbed “Advantage Players™ (APs),” these elite gamblers possess an unparalleled mastery of games like blackjack, which are typically considered unbeatable. By leveraging their exceptional skill, lightning-fast insights, and razor-sharp instincts, APs are able to outmaneuver even the most formidable of opponents, securing victories especially when the stakes are at their highest.

But what sets Advantage Players apart is their ability to bend the system in their favor. Joel Block, an Advantage Player™ and expert blackjack player, has taken these same skills, attitudes, and philosophies to the realm of business, making his mark in the competitive fields of venture capital and hedge funds. Examining over 1,000 companies, participating in over 40 deals, and contributing to opportunities worth over $1 billion dollars, Joel is a true master of his craft. And, he is generous in sharing his wealth of knowledge, captivating audiences with cage-rattling keynote speeches and media appearances.

Randy Gardner, Western Maryland Safety Consultants

Randal “Randy” Gardner has been in the safety field most of his professional life since graduating from college. He began his safety career working in the poultry industry. After only two years, he was recruited by a headhunter to go to work in the steel industry in Eastern Pennsylvania. Yes, he went from working with “Chickens to Turkeys.” And did he have his hands full…. Working with a number of unions in one location, he was able to implement various programs that decreased lost time work and recordable injuries and workers compensation costs by over 50%. This was achieved by aggressive claims management, modified duty programs, and implementing a safety program entitled, “We have a steak /stake in Safety.” However, due to the impact of cheap steel from overseas, his division was closing and he had the opportunity to move to the corporate headquarters in Ohio and graciously declined. 

Randy then tried his hand in entrepreneurship and purchased an Auntie Anne’s pretzel franchise. After 3 years, he sold his store and was hired by the HR/Payroll Company that provided him those services. As the MidAtlantic Risk Manager, his responsibilities involved working with over 200 small to mid-sized companies throughout the East Coast. From laundry facilities to general contractors and everything in between, he ensured that the companies were providing a “Safe Work Environment.” This was accomplished through training and education and a lot of traveling.

During his time there, he had numerous clients that provided services for the mining industry that were receiving fines while working on mine property. After acquiring the required experience

and training, he became an MSHA instructor. In March of 2010, he decided to go on his own, and Western Maryland Consulting was in business. Currently, he consults with small to midsize companies providing safety services. In addition, he is contracted by Dominion Energy to oversee safety responsibilities on various projects. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and his passion for safety to his clients and anyone who will listen. Randy and his wife Tamra live in McHenry, Maryland and have two children who are both graduates of Penn State college.


Sponsors

We also have sponsorship opportunities available! You can view the 2023 Spring Conference sponsorship levels here or email marymargaret@narsa.org if your company is interested in sponsoring.


Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

About our host Empire Radiator:

Empire Radiator is owned and operated by the Schelkun family. Services include custom build and repair for copper/brass and aluminum units. In addition to providing truck and industrial radiators and heat exchangers, Empire Radiator is also a Tubes N’ Hoses dealer. 

In October 2021, they moved into a 30,000-square foot building which houses separate areas for radiator recoring, a CNC plasma table, welding, DPF cleaning, and inventory storage. Since joining NARSA members in 1997, the Schekluns have been very active in the association. They were recently featured in the Cooling Journal as our member spotlight and interviewed for our Solder & Soot podcast.

Empire Radiator
606 Hague St
Rochester, New York 14606
585-254-7140 | EMPIRERADIATOR@GMAIL.COM


Local Hotels

The Strathallan Hotel & Spa
550 East Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14607
585.461.5010 • Strathallan@mcmrochester.com

A limited number of rooms are first come, first served for NARSA/IDEA members. Members will receive a hotel code following registration and payment.


Nearby Attractions & Events

Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East Ave
Rochester, NY 14607

Discover three floors filled with over 200 interactive science and history themed exhibits and science demonstrations. The Rochester Museum & Science Center ignites a passion for lifelong learning and equips our community with the foundational skills, knowledge, and understanding of the technologies needed to help solve society’s most pressing challenges.

National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
17 Madison Street
Rochester NY 14608

The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House shares the story of Susan B. Anthony’s lifelong struggle to gain voting rights for women and equal rights for all. We keep her vision alive and relevant by preserving and sharing Anthony’s National Historic Landmark home; collecting artifacts and research materials directly related to her life and work; and making these resources available to the public through tours, publications, the internet, and interpretive programs.

The Strong National Museum of Play
1 Manhattan Square Dr
Rochester, NY 14607

The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving families. The Strong houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play. Together, these enable a multifaceted array of research, exhibition, and other interpretive and educational activities that serve a diverse audience of adults, families, children, students, teachers, scholars, collectors, and others around the globe.