The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
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BUSINESS OPERATIONS N E W S 16 JUNE 2015 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com AREE AND OESP SHOWS TO MERGE IN 2016 The Oil and Energy Service Professionals and the Atlantic Region Energy Expo have an- nounced they will host a joint trade show and convention May 22-26, 2016, at the Foxwoods Casino Resort, Ledyard, Conn. While details are still being finalized, the co-hosted event will feature a two-day trade show offering the latest products and services for the petroleum marketing and HVAC industry; expand the ed- ucational programs and opportunities offered to all company personnel—owners, managers, service managers, technicians and customer service representatives; and offer fun social and networking events. Eric DeGesero, executive vice president, Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, a prime sponsor that provides show management ser- vices for AREE commented, "This joint venture is a logical step in a consolidating industry." DeGesero noted that AREE grew from its start as the annual convention of the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey. FMA's first conven- tion was in 1933 in Asbury Park, N.J. In 1941, the convention moved to Atlantic City where it remained with few exceptions for decades. Over the years the show grew to be a regional show and in 1993 was renamed the Atlantic Region Energy Expo and is co-sponsored by several state petroleum marketing associations. "Our goal is to continue to provide the fo- rum that brings all segments of the petroleum marketing industry together to network and learn. Not only will we be continuing these ef- forts on behalf of motor fuel and heating fuel distributors but adding the technical educa- tional component that OESP does so well," De- Gesero said. Judy Garber, Executive Director, OESP, stated, "The joint show provides each of us the ability to sponsor an industry-wide conven- tion and trade show that will provide a wider audience. It will also provide OESP greater ex- posure to our industry as we will now be able to showcase our extensive technical education programming to owners and managers. Ad- ditionally, it is our goal to have exhibitors take advantage of this exciting new opportunity by expanding their presence." The decision to host a joint show has been unanimously approved by both organizations' boards. There are still details to work out re- garding the co-hosted event, including the new "name." Foxwoods was chosen because OESP was already under contract with the facility and they can accommodate the additional exhibit space and hotel rooms. OESP is also under con- tract with Hershey for 2017 and again they will be able to accommodate the larger event. SURVEY FINDS A VAST MAJORITY OF U.S. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WANT TAX CODE REFORM TO BE A PRIORITY IN WASHINGTON With tax day a fresh memory, small business owners across the United States are sounding the alarm and urging Congress and the White House to take action on reforming the federal tax code. Endurance International Group released the results of its 2015 Small Business Attitudes on Taxes survey, which found that 90% of small busi- ness owners believe that the federal tax code needs reform, with 88% believing that tax code reform should be a priority for the 114th Congress and the White House. However, even if federal law- makers take up the issue of tax reform, small busi- ness owners remain wary, with 88% believing that the federal government does not adequately take into account the impact on small businesses when considering reforms to the tax code. The survey also found that tax reform could potentially have significant impact on the econo- my, with 52% of small businesses responding that reform to the tax code "would be very helpful to growing and expanding my business." Of those surveyed, 73% responded that federal levies are more concerning than state and local taxes. Endurance conducted its survey of 827 U.S.- based small businesses from March 27 to April 7, 2015. PGANE SUMMER MEETING Join PGANE for the Summer Meeting in Port- land, Maine, at the Inn By The Bay. Attendees will get to enjoy informative and lively meet- ings, delicious food, the Old Port historic dis- trict with shopping and entertainment and beautiful views of downtown Portland and coast of Maine. Portland has a little bit of some- thing for everyone.