BREAKING NEWS

A Golden Opportunity to Plan for Convention

GAWDA's 63rd Annual Convention will be held at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, CA, on September 15-19, 2007. This year's theme is "A Golden Opportunity to Bridge New Partnerships." President Bob Ames and his 2007 Convention Planning Committee have several exciting educational, networking and fun activities planned for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity! View the tentative schedule of events at the Current Events page on GAWDA's Web site. Registration materials will be available soon.

Make your hotel reservations today by calling the Westin St. Francis directly at 1-800-WESTIN-1 or 415-397-7000. You may also make your reservations online at this personalized Web site for GAWDA members. Mention GAWDA for the $219 single/double occupancy group rate! Reservation deadline is August 6, 2007. Note: GAWDA's room block runs from September 15-19 at the group rate of $219. The shoulder nights of the meeting dates (September 14 and 20) are sold out at the group rate. However, as of press time, rooms are available at the hotel's prevailing room rates for those two nights. Subject to availability.

GAWDA Headquarters has started to receive phone calls from members concerning the differences they may be encountering in reserving rooms at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, compared to previous experiences at other hotels in other cities during past conventions. Please follow this link to read an important note of explanation regarding the current situation.

GAWDA Gives Back Is Back!

President Bob Ames and his wife Patty have chosen the Hamilton Family Center as this year's GAWDA Gives Back recipient. The Hamilton Family Center is an organization that provides emergency shelter, supportive services, transitional housing, childcare, eviction prevention assistance and permanent housing assistance to homeless children and their families in San Francisco. It is the largest provider of shelter and support services for homeless families in San Francisco, helping hundreds of families every year. It offers extensive programs and services, including case management, counseling, educational and recreational programs for children, aftercare services, housing referral, advocacy and financial assistance. Your generous contribution will help these homeless children and their families secure permanent housing and achieve self-sufficiency. Please visit this page to read more and to donate to the GAWDA Gives Back program.

Higher Learning

The latest issue of GAWDA Edge, the e-magazine for young professionals in the gases and welding industry, is available at www.gawdaedge.org. Discover how to strengthen your networking skills, get the most out of a trade show, find an industry mentor, and more. GAWDA Edge is also available in mobile and dial-up versions. And don't forget to visit the GAWDA Edge Forums to network with other up-and-coming industry professionals.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

June Safety & Technology Organizer Online • The June 2007 Safety & Technology Organizer is now available at www.gawda.org. Topics include Machine Guarding, HM-215I - Revisions to the Hazardous Materials Regulations, FDA Annual Registration & Semi Annual Drug Product Listing Requirements, and EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

Greco Gas Employee Wins Carnegie Hero Medal (Tarentum, PA) • The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced on May 3 that Frank (Jake) Oesterling, a sales engineer with Greco Gas, is among 19 North Americans to be awarded the 2007 Carnegie Medal for extraordinary civilian heroism, established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie. In June 2006, Oesterling risked his life to pull an unconscious man from a burning automobile after witnessing a truck strike the man's vehicle and virtually demolish it. Two other motorists who stopped to assist Oesterling will be honored as well. "The Carnegie Medal is only awarded to non-professional rescuers who show the purest and most altruistic heroism, undertaken with no motive or reward beyond the desire to save another life," says Greco Gas President Joe Greco. "Jake put himself at serious risk, and we are very proud of him."

ITW Acquires Tregaskiss (Glenview, IL) • Illinois Tool Works (ITW) acquired Tregaskiss Welding Products of Windsor, ON, Canada. Tregaskiss, which employs 179 people, will continue to operate independently, consistent with ITW's decentralized organizational structure. "We'll build on the strong foundation that Clive Tregaskiss built with the Tregaskiss team, and we look forward to their continued contributions as we work to better meet the needs of end-users and distribution partners," says Mike Weller, president of Miller Electric Mfg. Co. and ITW's welding distribution companies. Tregaskiss Welding Products also announced two new hires: Mark Morgan as customer training specialist and Judy Wilson as customer service specialist.

Linweld Wins Award (Lincoln, NE) • Linweld, a subsidiary of Matheson Tri-Gas, was presented a Gold Award by Great West Casualty Company as part of the 2006 National Fleet Safety Awards Program. Carriers were recognized for achieving a low preventable accident frequency per million miles of operation. "At Linweld, safety is our first priority, and we're honored to be recognized for our commitment to it," says President Greg Vasek. "We want to thank our dedicated drivers and employees whose safe practices are the reason behind this award."

Hypertherm Names Sales Manager (Hanover, NH) • Hypertherm appointed Thomas (Tommy) Hanchette as district sales manager in the Midwest. Hanchette will support Hypertherm distributors in Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Colorado and Iowa. He brings more than 7 years of sales experience within the welding and cutting industry, both in manufacturing and distribution.

Lincoln Powers Indy 500 Teams (Cleveland, OH) • Lincoln Electric served as the Indy Racing League's "Official Welder," powering all IRL teams competing in May 27's Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the team of winner Dario Franchitti. "Serving as the IRL's 'Official Welder' is a clear example of Lincoln's commitment to the IRL and the racing industry," says Lincoln Electric Manager of Motorsports Marketing Mickey Holmes. "Our goal is to serve as a true partner with these teams by offering them products, ongoing support, technical advice and working with them to continuously make the sport safer."

GAWDA NEWS

GAWDA Treasurer Position Available • GAWDA Treasurer Scott Ehrnschwender has resigned his position to work full time for one of his other clients. GAWDA is beginning the search for his replacement. The Treasurer is a paid position, but is also a full member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. GAWDA is seeking an individual who meets the following qualifications: CPA – required; flexibility to attend SMCs and Annual Convention – required; experience with nonprofit organizations – preferred; knowledge of welding and gases industry – preferred.

Final Extension for GAWDA 2007 Profit Survey! • GAWDA Distributor Members are encouraged to take advantage of a final extension to June 15. Download the survey at www.gawda.org, under GAWDA News. Complete the survey today if you have not yet done so and send it directly to the Profit Planning Group. Questions? Contact the Profit Planning Group at 303-444-6212 or GAWDA Headquarters at 215-564-3484. Remember that the Profit Report is the best source for financial benchmarking information in the industry. However, only members who complete the survey will receive the final Report. Nonparticipating members WILL NOT be allowed to purchase the Report.

SMC Presentations Online • The SMC presentations on Leadership Development, Sales Management, Operations/Administration and Medical Gases Updates can be viewed or printed out in the GAWDA News section at www.gawda.org.

Webinar Audio Recording Available • If you missed the May 29 GAWDA webinar "Liquid Cylinders," presented by Jeff Clay and Troy Stukey of Harsco GasServ, you can now download the recording onto your iPod or MP3 player by visiting the Podcast page on www.gawda.org. To subscribe to the GAWDA Podcast Feed, visit www.gawda.org/GAWDAfeed.xml.

Become a Webinar Presenter • To become a GAWDA webinar presenter, please visit www.gawda.org for details.

HR Report Available • The June 2007 HR Manager's Legal Reporter and supplemental QuikStep Trainer are now available for download at www.gawda.org.

Clearinghouse Updated • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for June. For more information, visit www.gawda.org.

2007 Regional Meetings Register now for a Regional Meeting near you! Meet with customers and suppliers, network with your peers, and get some insight on the industry. It's an unbeatable value! Do you live in the Western Zone and would like to receive announcements for Regional Meetings in the Eastern Zone? To fill out the form to receive additional announcements to meetings outside your zone, visit www.gawda.org. The regional calendar will be updated as new meeting dates become available.                2007 Regional Meeting Dates                ZONE DATE LOCATION REGIONAL CHAIR PHONE EA June 12 Beaver, PA Heather Ferrand Butler Gas 412-771-7660 EA June 21 Boylston, MA Robert E. O'Brien Gas and Air Systems, Inc. 610-838-9625 or 610-462-7979   CE July 12 Indianapolis, IN Gary Halter BOC 317-562-9060 CE July 20 Naperville, IL Hector Villarreal Weldcoa 630-806-2000 W July 25-27 Union, WA Dan Enz Gordon Sales Co. 360-705-2391 SE July 29-30 Southern Pines, NC Kent Buzard CTR 803-324-8101 CE August 2 Columbus, OH Jim Smith DeLille Oxygen Company 614-444-1177 SE August 12-13 Birmingham, AL Gregg Waltman Linde Gas 205-322-9990 CE August 15-16 Watertown, SD Cindy Day Smith Equipment 605-882-8268 SW August 20-21 Kansas City, MO David Hanchette Kirk Welding Supply 816-221-3040 CE August 21 Merrimac, WI Brad Peterson Mississippi Welders Supply Company 507-454-5231 EA August 28 Gettysburg, PA Doug Morton Harsco GasServ 717-443-0752 W October 5 Lodi, CA Rob Kinney Airgas 916-759-6445

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