EXECUTIVE UPDATE
New Initiatives Serve Our Members and Our Industry
JON MELCHI
BIA Executive Director
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or nearly 80 years, the BIA has existed to serve the residential construction industry in central Ohio. Over that duration, the way we’ve served our members has changed. Still, our mission to advocate on behalf of the industry, facilitate networking and industry collaboration and promote the fine work of our industry through home tours has not. I hope this is the last time in this space that I use the term “Covid,” but the pandemic did allow our leadership to reassess how our association serves our members. Last year saw several new initiatives introduced, including founding the BIA’s Industry Action Fund, a new format for the Parade of Homes, and our new dues and membership structure. This year will continue that trend. One area you will notice is that we
6 BUILDING INSIDER QUARTER 1 • 2022
will return to a full slate of networking and membership events and meetings. Our Kickstart 2021 event featuring a full roster of Speed Networking and keynote speaker Jon Petz was indicative of the type of events that we will aim to have in support of our members moving forward.
importantly, if you have anyone on your team who would like to receive BIA communications or be involved in a committee or council, our new structure allows for full participation, so let us know who they are, and Marilyn will expertly plug them into our organization.
These events aren’t possible without strong attendance and the support of sponsors. One new way for our members to show their support of the BIA is through our Hammer Club initiative, which provides enhanced membership and sponsorship opportunities for supporting companies. We are beyond grateful that the Strait & Lamp Group and Treplus Communities stepped up as our inaugural participants. Their trust in supporting the BIA is truly appreciated.
We’ve heard about the forthcoming Intel project and continued growth throughout the region. As you read this, what THIS industry does is a crucial component of our region’s overall future success. Our advocacy efforts now stretch throughout the entire region. Now more than ever, it is imperative for our industry to be engaged in promoting the “why” of housing. That will be a key focus of our organization, and we welcome your participation and involvement as we help craft and deliver that message.
I would urge all of our members looking for innovative ways to connect with our members to contact Margaret McGuire-Schoeff. Her expertise is in finding creative ways to promote your organization at BIA events and mediums, no matter the level of the financial commitment you can make. Our goal in these events is, of course, to raise money to allow us to put on high-quality events and programs, but they also must make sense for your companies and businesses.
The BIA is your organization. We must receive feedback on the direction we are headed. That could be things we are not doing, something we could do better, or even what we are doing well. I welcome input, as do our staff members, but I also know that the leadership of our committees, councils and the Board of Trustees are also excellent vehicles to help provide feedback.
As we continue to transition our membership structure to an entire company membership which will be invoiced once annually, I know that many of you may still have questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Marilyn Evans or me to answer any questions that you may have. More
It is an honor to serve this industry. I know our team is looking forward to a full year of doing so in a manner that benefits our membership and the legacy of the BIA.
