Episode #28 -The Smart Dealer’s Guide to Winning at the 2026 Rehlko Summit
The Standby Generator Podcast - With Jim SwetmanShow Notes
Heading to the Kohler Dealer Conference or the RELCO Summit in Orlando? This episode of the Standby Generator Podcast is your strategic game plan.
Industry veteran Jim Swetman shares how generator dealers can get real ROI from dealer conferences — not by collecting swag, but by making the shift from generator installer to energy company.
Jim breaks down:
The growing shift toward the home energy ecosystem — generators, batteries, solar, microgrids, and connected energy solutions
Why commercial generator work under 150kW is a major opportunity for residential-focused dealers
How strong maintenance contracts and recurring service revenue create stability during slow installation cycles
The importance of peer-to-peer learning among generator dealers and why hallway conversations matter more than keynotes
What to watch for in manufacturer leadership, dealer culture, and long-term industry direction
Jim also shares the must-attend sessions for dealers focused on service profitability, succession planning, commercial growth, and operational efficiency — plus how to return from a conference with a 30-day execution plan that actually moves your business forward If you’re in the standby generator industry, power systems, or building a service-driven generator dealership, this episode is a roadmap for long-term growth, higher margins, and increased business value.
More from The Standby Generator Podcast - With Jim Swetman
Episode 33 – Sell Certainty, Not Kilowatts
Hold your horses: this one couldn’t wait. This week PJM, the largest power grid operator in the US, issued a Maximum Generation Alert.
Lights Out? Not Here. | Cody Stephens of Nomic Power Solutions When the grid goes down, standby generator dealers are the ones who keep the lights on, and the best dealers are ready long before the storm hits. In this episode of The Standby Generator Podcast, host Jim Swetman sits down with Cody Stephens, owner and founder of Nomic Power Solutions in Austin, Texas. They get real about what it takes to grow a standby generator business, why labor changes everything, and how to stay ready when demand spikes. No fluff. Just real lessons from a dealer doing the work. 🔌 Want to grow your dealership with other top standby generator dealers? Book a call with Jim: https://calendar.app.google/hATyNN2m99kyhsGz5 👍 Subscribe for more conversations with the people powering the standby generator industry. #StandbyGenerator #GeneratorDealers #PowerAlliance #StandbyGeneratorPodcast #Generac
Ken Goodrich started as a 10 year old kid holding a flashlight for his dad. Then he built one of the biggest home service empires in the country.
In this episode of the Standby Generator Podcast, host Jim Swetman sits down with Jason Reeves, founder of 1-800-POWER, to discuss how standby generator dealers can increase lead volume, book more estimates, and close more installs using digital marketing.