President’s Message

by Roberta MacGillivray, CAFS, NCT, NAFA President CEO, BGE Indoor Air Quality Solutions Ltd.

As we turn our minds from the summer busy-ness of our industry and finish off the vacation days we so deserved with our family & friends, I’m looking forward to the fall. Since I was a student, I’ve always looked forward to the fall season as a fresh perspective of the year ahead. As part of the NAFA board, I am excited to share with you that our 3-year strategic plan is finalized and we are ready to get to work accomplishing our Strategic Outcomes:

1. Increase Knowledge 2. Engage Members 3. Raise Awareness 4. Streamline Operations

Our voice needs to be stronger in the industry and we need to ensure that we are not only a resource for our members but we are seen as a source of expertise for our filtration end-users. Work is being done to make sure we are creating strong partnerships with our related industry associations as well as various Healthy Building certifications. In being the source and experts for air filtration, its important that our resources are up-todate, easy to read, and that our content is refreshed regularly. We are supporting our guidelines and technical committees with funds to accelerate the development and editing of our content. We are also looking for more opportunities to fund studies and research that continue to move the air filtration industry forward. If you have any ideas, please share with me.

COVID-19 has taught the world the importance of what we do. It’s forced end-users to be more educated than they ever were before. Now it’s our turn to make sure we keep educating the public with respect to COVID-19 and all other air filtration related factors and contaminants. While improved filtration reduces the risk and spread of infection of COVID-19, it also reduces the risk and spread of so many viruses and contaminants that affect a variety of industries. COVID-19 has definitely consumed the minds and hearts of so many over the past few years, it's important that we as NAFA members help our customers meet their goals for better air in whatever industry they serve. First and foremost, we need to make sure we are protecting people but we also need to protect processes, products and equipment. In this magazine and further at our Annual Convention we will be learning about the importance of filtration in Indoor Grow Facilities. The conference will also have guidance on how to protect our indoor environments from Wildfire Smoke. Even though these talks are focused on particular contaminants and solutions, we can always take the learnings and transfer the knowledge to other filtration challenges.

Personally, I am most excited about our keynote address. Thom Singer will be talking about the importance of building, cultivating, and sustaining strong business relationships. In these crazy times, it’s the relationships I’ve made at NAFA and within the industry that have helped me and my business the most. I believe if I speak to any NAFA member, it’s the connections and strong relationships that have been the consistent and best benefit. I look forward to forging and fostering new and existing relationships in Coeur d’Alene. Please make sure to make this a priority for your fall plans. We can’t wait to see you all there.

Many thanks to the NAFA board and NAFA staff for their incredible work this summer. I can’t wait to see what the next three years brings. NAFA is in good hands with its upcoming board and team. They will continue to deliver our vision of the recognized leader in air filtration education and the global source for expertise, education and best practices in air filtration. 

All my best,

The details for the strategic framework can be found at www.nafahq.org/strategic-framework and on page 5.