By / Jessica Kirby
In February, the Partners in Progress Conference brought together nearly 200 delegates from sheet metal contracting businesses, Locals, and SMACNA chapters across North America. The conference theme, “The Future is Now” spoke to the actions we all need to take to adjust, adapt, and evolve with today’s changing economic and social landscape.
“The Partners in Progress Conference is a unique opportunity to network with peers, and learn to navigate any storm we face,” said Mike Colemen, SMART International general president, in the opening address he shared with SMACNA President Carol Duncan. “It represents our shared vision to build a resilient, professional, and capable industry that can meet any demands.”
Duncan shared a parallel message focused on the qualities of a healthy, enduring partnership. “We must foster transparency, dialogue, and mutual respect,” she said. “That is the way forward toward an intentional, accountable, aligned vision for our industry.”
Coleman and Duncan touched on several collaborative initiatives—current and pending—that the organizations are working on to better the industry for all.
Labor and management support for infrastructure and megaproject work is one example. “These are positive for our industry but also bring challenges,” Duncan said. “We will need to embrace these collaboratively and remain focused on our mutual interests.”
The BE4ALL Committee updates included Bias and Belonging Training for leaders and organizations; release of the Rapid Response Protocol for SMACNA, SMART, and the ITI; menstrual kits for members; and cultural events calendars, which list days of importance and observance for a cross-cultural workforce.
All of these initiatives are building connection and trust in the industry—cornerstones of a healthy partnership.
“We see eye to eye on 90% of the issues,” Coleman said. “The other 10% is in our heads. We need to be open-minded, honest, and trustworthy, because trust is lost in buckets but regained in drops.”
Duncan spoke to legislation in the United States and Canada aimed at fostering diversity in the workplace and urged all members to speak up against injustices. “When we choose to remain silent, we betray our bedrock,” she said.
A packed schedule of powerful keynote speakers and general session presenters delivered a robust program in support of the messaging Coleman and Duncan shared. Victoria Labalme, best-selling author and Hall of Fame Speaker introduced leadership lessons from her theatre background to help organizations lead with noble intentions.
“Leadership happens in every scene,” she said. “You have to find your throughline—your driving force—that guides your behaviour and helps you stay focused on the real intentions of leadership—service, education, sharing, and help.”
Dushaw Hockett, founder and executive director of Safe Places for the Advancement of Community and Equity (SPACEs) initiated a conversation about partnership and its deeper meaning. “The ingredients for an effective partnership are: be clear about the ‘why’, identify the right partners, challenge your preconceived notions of others, and build relationships of trust and collaboration,” he said. “Understand and build the three dimensions of trust: competency, reliability, and sincerity.”
Stephen English, leadership expert, shared several key strategies for developing situationally suitable leadership. “Those who embody more of the democratic leadership style showcase a remarkable ability to build consensus, even amidst differing opinions,” he said. “When leaders embrace a collaborative approach, recognizing the value of each member’s contribution, a culture of openness and shared responsibility emerges. This, in turn, paves the way for accelerated progress and innovation.”
And for the week’s final presentation, Kevin Brown, author, speaker, and unbelievably motivating individual, told the story of his son’s personal and emotional growth as a human being through his interactions at Disney and with a server in a café who chose empathy, curiosity, and commitment to demonstrate her heroism. “The heroes who transformed my life are people just like you,” he says. “People who were willing to use their gifts and abilities to serve others at a high level.”
Summing up an engaging three days, Duncan and Coleman took to the stage with closing remarks. Duncan asked, “What’s next? We are not divided by our differences but propelled by our common goals. There may be challenging days ahead, but there is strength in teams, guided by trust in the collective. Let’s move forward with the spirit of trust and goodwill and a shared purpose. Let’s embark on this next phase of our journey with enthusiasm.”
“We are better together,” Coleman said. “That has been obvious this week. What we do today will determine the next years in the industry. From job creation legacy to expanding inclusion, we have a chance to add to the signatory contractor base for generations to come. If we take advantage of the opportunities today, we can change the lives of workers for generations. I believe that is because of all of you on the labour and management sides who have committed to doing the hard work.”
Eleven SMACNA-BC and Local 280 members represented British Columbia at Partners in Progress this year. From SMACNA-BC, Executive Director Jeremy Hallman; Past-president Mark Kuelle; and Directors Dan Taillefer and Phil McDonald attended, along with Local 280’s Business Manager and FST, Troy Clutchey; Organizer, Steve Davis; Business Representative Owin Baxter, Executive Board mermber James Plett, Apprentice Liaison Elizabeth Moses; and Trustees Lorin Leonard and Avery Martins. ■
