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This week is National Careers in Trades Week, a coordinated effort between SMACNA, SMART, ITI, NECA, MCAA, NEMI, SMOHIT, and the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, meant to raise awareness of the abundance and evolution of trade careers. Celebrated each year during the first full week of April, this represents an all-hands-on-deck effort to not only clearly communicate the benefits of working in the trades but also to invest in building the workforce of tomorrow. While U.S. workers are experiencing a stagnant job market with fewer job postings and positions that are harder to secure, well-compensated skilled-trade job openings continue to grow due to infrastructure and other projects vital to the economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professions in the skilled trades will experience faster-than-average job growth between 2024 and 2034, with the Occupational Outlook predicting over 600,000 construction job openings each year and a current median annual wage of $58,000 (up from $55,000 in 2025), remaining higher than the median for all occupations. They also do not result in debt that can accompany a college path. And according to Construction Labor Research Council, nationwide, workers are averaging pay hikes above 4%, as employers look to attract and retain workers in a tight labor market. Click here to learn more about National Careers in Trades Week and stay tuned to next weeks Member Update for a recap!

Mark your calendar! Registration and housing for the 2026 SMACNA Annual Convention will open on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 12 noon ET. Join us for four days of cutting-edge education, meaningful networking, and memorable moments at the Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria. Join us for the SMACNA Block Party at Universal CityWalk, featuring lively entertainment, dinner, and community fun. This brand-new event brings the SMACNA community together for a night you wont want to miss. Transportation will be provided so you can sit back and enjoy the evening. Click here to learn more and to register!

We invite all member contractors to apply for the prestigious 2026 SMACNA Safety Awards and help shape a future defined by a strong commitment to safety and health across the HVAC and sheet metal industry. Participating allows you to showcase your organizations commitment to safety, stand out as an industry leader, inspire others to prioritize workplace safety and continuous improvement, and gain valuable visibility as a safety-conscious employer. Deadlines: All submissions are due by May 31, 2026. The awards are: Top Safety Performer Award An elite safety performer certificate will be provided for all members achieving an incident rate 50% better than the U.S. Department of Labor BLS incident rate for Sheet Metal Contractors in the U.S. and the adjacent rate for Canadian members. Zero Injury and Illness Incidence Award Members who demonstrate an outstanding safety record with zero reported incidences in 2025 will receive a certificate of safety excellence. With the theme Safety Excellence Through Innovation, the Safety Innovator of the Year Award recognizes a SMACNA member participating in the Safety Excellence Awards program who demonstrates an innovative safety idea, concept, or best practice that statistically improved their safety program or culture. Presented in collaboration with SMACNA Premier Partners Milwaukee Tool and Federated Insurance. Click here to learn more and enter the SMACNA Safety Achievement Awards, click here to learn more and enter the SMACNA Safety Innovator of the Year Award!

Join SMACNA President Todd Hill, SMART General President Michael Coleman, and Sheet Metal Industry Institutes Executive Director Michael Harris for an upcoming BE4ALL Town Hall, an event hosted by SMACNA and SMART on Thursday, May 28, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. PST at The Museum of Flight. This conversation will discuss the state of the BE4ALL initiative and what it means for you as a member. BE4ALL is a joint initiative of SMACNA, SMART, and the ITI to strengthen the sheet metal industry. Why Attend? Hear directly from SMACNA and SMART leadership Learn how BE4ALL is impacting the industry Share your feedback and ask questions during the live Q&A Click here to learn more and to register!

Join fellow HVAC industry CEOs at the SMACNA Leadership Conference , taking place Wednesday, May 6 Friday, May 8, 2026 in Washington, DC. This is a critical moment for the sheet metal industry. Congress and federal agencies are making decisions that will shape tax policy, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and prevailing wage enforcement for years to come. These policies directly affect how our contractors hire, invest, compete, and grow. SMACNAs Capitol Hill team advocates every day on behalf of our members, but nothing resonates more with lawmakers than hearing directly from contractors running businesses, employing skilled workers, and delivering projects in their communities. Your experience gives policymakers the real-world perspective they need as they consider legislation and regulatory changes affecting our industry. This high-impact conference focuses on the federal policies most important to SMACNA contractors. It also provides an opportunity to receive training in effective advocacy techniques followed by the chance to put those skills into action by meeting with Senators, Members of Congress, and their staff to discuss issues that matter to your company and the broader industry. And this wouldnt be a SMACNA conference without some great networking and social opportunities. We will be headed to Nationals Park for a ballgame and to Washington, DC institution - The Dubliner - for a reception. To encourage strong contractor participation, the SMAC Administrative Fund is offering a special incentive for Congressional Insiders Club (CIC) members traveling to Washington: CIC, Dual CIC, and Chairman's Club Members: $250 reimbursement Political and Premier Pacesetter Members: $500 reimbursement Platinum Pacesetter Members: $750 reimbursement This conference is an opportunity to engage with industry peers, stay informed on policy developments, and make sure the voice of SMACNA contractors is heard on Capitol Hill. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Denise Murphy McGraw, SMACNAs special assistant for political affairs at dmurphymcgraw@smacna.org . Reminder: April 14 is the end of Early Bird Registration and the last day to secure your hotel room. Secure your spot today and register to receive the special early-bird rate.