Council Meeting Proves a Rousing Success

SMACNA leaders, chapter representatives, and industry experts met in Quebec City for the June 2026 Council of Chapter Representatives Meeting. This annual event connects national leadership with local chapters. Attendees left with clear steps to help their chapters, such as starting new SMACNA initiatives, sharing best practices, and providing feedback to shape industry priorities. Open forums and networking gave representatives a chance to work with SMACNA National staff and guest speakers to find solutions to important challenges in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry.

The agenda included educational sessions and updates to help strengthen our chapters and businesses. Here are the main topics covered at this year's event:

Labor, Legal, and Workforce Dynamics:

Understanding regulations and labor issues is a top priority for our members and organizers, provided forums designed to give attendees a heightened understanding of some of the topics that are front and center, including: 

• Structuring Project Labor Agreements (PLAs): Focused on building an understanding of the purpose and financial strategic placement of certain conditions. 
• Benefits & Compensation: Examined how unions pay for Paid Time Off (PTO) benefits and how wage equalization works.
• Cross-Border Insights: Explored differences between Canadian and U.S. labor laws and organizational structures.
  

Emerging Trends, Leaders, and the Tech-Driven Jobsite:

The industry is changing quickly, and this year’s meeting focused on practical ways contractors can use new technology and market trends. Attendees left with clear strategies for adopting technology to stay competitive.

• AI on the Jobsite & Classroom: Exploring how artificial intelligence is being deployed as a tool to build a smarter, stronger, and more efficient workforce.
• 2026 Construction Industry Trends: An analytical look at where the market is heading and how chapters can prepare for shifts in demand.
• The Emerging Leaders panel discussed how fresh voices are entering our industry and positively impacting our membership. 

Strengthening SMACNA Operations & Technical Resources:

Participants received updates on the technical and organizational foundations that make SMACNA an industry leader. One key takeaway was that improvements to technical resources and organization will help chapters run more effectively.

• Technical Services Updates: The latest SMACNA's technical projects, testing programs, standards & manuals, etc. 
• Insights into the SMACNA Safety Program updates.
• Sector-Specific Insights: Sessions covered Commercial Services and EST Programs. In the Trenches: Real Talk from Residential Contractors offered peer-to-peer perspectives on the real challenges faced in the field.