Message from the CEO

Michael F. Stark, CAE
AWCI CEO

Over the past five years, there has been a lot of change at AWCI and the Foundation. Volunteer leaders step up and some step away. Staff come and go. New programs and services are created. Others are discontinued. How we all communicate and absorb information evolves. Relationships form or fade.

For those who have been a part of AWCI for years, as well as those who are new to the association, it is worthwhile to take stock of the past few years.

The annual convention and expo (BUILD: AWCI’s Convention + Expo) and our fall conference (Industry Leaders Conference) were renamed and rebranded with more impactful speakers, educational sessions and networking events.

Investments in technology delivered a new membership database that allows members to update their individual profiles and select communication preferences; a learning management system that allows the delivery of best-in-class online educational opportunities; and a new website, built from the ground up that is more relevant, timely and dynamic.

An Emerging Leaders Program was created to engage and support aspiring leaders in our industry. University students near our host cities are now invited to our two annual conferences with the goal of showing them that a career in the wall and ceiling industry can be a viable and rewarding one.

We have reinvested in our education programs…updating content and delivering a unique user experience. EIFS Doing It Right was released in 2024 in English and Spanish, with both the Stucco and Steel Doing It Right courses upcoming in 2025. AWCI also held more than two dozen webinars in 2024.

Staff and resources have been better aligned with organizational priorities and processes and governance has been streamlined, such as sunsetting committees that outlived their purpose.

Safety and health are now a major focus, with an active committee, peer safety reviews and valuable content at conferences, in the magazine and through webinars.

Codes, standards and technical services now have more dedicated resources to ensure AWCI is influential and at the table on important issues.

The Foundation is now supporting impactful research, in addition to its philanthropic efforts through AWCI CARES.

Communications at AWCI have been completely reimagined. A new weekly, curated newsletter will debut in 2025. AWCI’s Construction Dimensions magazine celebrates its 50th year and evolves into a more robust and impactful publication delivered every other month. Our social media channels have grown with more timely and engaging information and resources.

I reject defining what has been accomplished as “change.” It is progress. Many people do not embrace change. Some even reject it. Progress, however, is much more widely accepted and welcomed. AWCI’s volunteer leaders and staff are steadfast on being focused on progress…improvement…evolution. Be a part of AWCI and the Foundation and be a part of the journey.

“If you aim higher than you expect, you could reach higher than you dreamed.” ~ Richard Branson