Does a chapter executive make for a good CEO of the national association? How do you foster engagement among longtime members? And what do you do when your industry is just begging for people to join?

In this episode of Associations Thrive host Joanna Pineda interviews Aaron Hilger, CEO, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). Aaron introduces the SMACNA, shares his journey to becoming CEO, and then shares how SMACNA is increasing engagement among members and potential recruits. He talks about:

• How chapter leaders are often overlooked as potential leaders of the national organization but they are well positioned because of their experience and knowledge
• His funny first day as SMACNA CEO
• How associations are increasingly not based from the city where their association is based
• How to integrate new, remote staff into an increasingly remote organization
• How the pandemic has forced all of us to think about environments we live in, including and especially the air quality in our buildings
• How he’s trying to foster engagement among contractors who are dues-paying but not engaged
• The Heavy Metal summer camps that are teaching high schools students what it’s like to work for a sheet metal contractor

References:

• SMACNA Website
• Heavy Metal Summer Camps