4 minute read
Association News- Winter 2023
■ SEAA heads West for the 2024 Convention and Trade Show
Scheduled for April 2-5 in Glendale, Arizona, SEAA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show will feature a variety of education sessions, plenty of networking opportunities, the George R. Pocock Memorial Golf Tournament, a Pickleball Tournament at Chicken and Pickle, and so much more.
Keep in mind that The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will be held April 6-8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. This means that hotel rooms are at a premium. Registering and reserving your room early is highly recommended. When the SEAA block is full, we will not be able to get additional rooms. Discounts end on January 31, 2024.
Garrison Wynn, Fortune 500 Leader, Professional Standup Comedian, and Amazon #1 Best Seller, will give the Keynote Address on Winning the Talent War. The session is designed to provide leaders with actionable ideas and solutions that will assist in driving a sustainable culture that will help your organization to achieve its goals by attracting and keeping the people you need to succeed.
Sessions
Wednesday, April 3 kicks off with a breakfast learning session on how members can take advantage of important benefits, including a demo SEAA’s new SteelPros Training Portal. Later, members will share best practices during a panel discussion showcasing winning projects the year. Other highlights include insights into automation and the future of construction, and a serious look at the suicide problem in construction.
Additional sessions touch on practical matters—documenting non-conformance in detailing, how to improve cash flow, and tips for establishing a media policy.
Following the Trade Show on Thursday, April 4, hear from safety and training professionals, get insights into hiring Gen Z workers, and learn about critical litigation containment techniques.
The event will wrap up on Friday April 5, with a new opportunity for small group discussion. Limited to 25 participants for each group, attendees can choose between two Peer Group meetings. Speeding up the Process of Change Orders will be facilitated by Todd Macintosh of JPW Erectors and Recruiting and Engaging Field Employees will be led by Ryan Englin of Core Matters.
For more information on the Trade Show, First Timers Reception, President’s Dinner, and additional networking opportunities, visit seaa.net/seaa-convention—trade-show.com.
■ Director of Membership & Business Development Joins SEAA Staff
SEAA has named Keri Goldstein as its Director of Membership & Business Development. In this new role, Goldstein will work with the board of directors and committees. She is responsible for member recruitment and retention programs.
In the last three years, the association has tripled its benefits programs and doubled in-person networking events. “The association’s investment in new services for members has driven membership growth by more
than 12 percent in the first three quarters of 2023 alone. The timing was right to bring on a full-time staff person to provide intentional membership management,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director.
Goldstein will develop and implement a pro-active onboarding plan for new members, work to educate all members about available benefits in order to increase engagement, and set strategy for prospecting and association promotions.
■ SEAA Takes the Pledge to Stand Up for Suicide Prevention
SEAA has joined other industry association stakeholders of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP). Over 5,000 people working in construction die by suicide each year. That’s five times more than the annual number of jobsite fatalities.
“Within the construction industry, our niche is even more at risk. Of the 11 construction occupations cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, structural iron and steel workers are #1 and reinforcing iron and rebar workers are #2 for highest rates of suicide. SEAA encourages members to make corporate commitments to STAND up,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA. Learn more at preventconstructionsuicide.com.
The STAND Up pledge
SAFE: We pledge to create a culture in which team members feel safe to ask for help if they are having suicidal thoughts or if they are concerned that their fellow co-workers are at risk of suicide.
TRAINING: We pledge to make suicide prevention training available to all team members so that they can recognize the warning signs and be equipped to help those at risk.
AWARENESS: We pledge to raise awareness by sharing the message of suicide prevention through such organizational activities as trainings, safety meetings, toolbox talks, team meetings, newsletters, and social media posts.
NORMALIZE: We pledge to normalize the topic of suicide prevention as a health and safety priority by talking about suicide, suicide prevention, and mental health.
DECREASE: We pledge to help decrease the risk of suicide in construction by ensuring that all team members have access to an awareness of our EAP/MAP, behavioral health benefits, screening tools, community crisis support, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and Crisis Text Line.
