It's useful to both know about and understand what is being discussed and to be able to spot inaccuracies in implementation or application when posting here and elsewhere...the vendors understand that. FWIW, Schluter welcomes pros, architects, building managers, store owners, their sales people, etc. in their classes, and others, by exception and approval, since people that actually know their products, giving accurate information, help, not only the pros to use it, but those that sell it and make representations about it.
I don't have a problem recommending other things, but it's best to hear it from the manufacturer, than someone, even if they've been using it for a long time, since they may not be using it to its best advantage or understand the ramifications of why they may not be doing it properly. The people I've seen giving these factory training sessions are good at what they do, and found working a 40-hour week with benefits and retirement has some advantages over continuing to work in the field all of the time. Many of them have been working in the field a long time, and wanted a change.
They do not offer this to anyone off the street, it has to make sense for them to reserve a spot for someone like me...up to this point, I do not think I've disappointed anyone in that respect.
Certainly, my take on something may not match someone who uses the products every day, but I do believe the assessment that 70% of the tiled showers built in the USA are not built properly in one manner or the other. You wouldn't believe the number of people in MA that believe a copper pan, flat on the floor, is the best possible waterproof layer in a shower, or the number of people that don't know how to waterproof a curb and put nails in the thing, or...well, since you seem to do nice work, you probably do know...there are a lot of misconceptions and hacks out there, doing what they think is correct (at least I hope they are not just scamming the people paying) and it is just way wrong.