President's Message
February 04
 Part
3 - "Where are we now, and where are we going...early
2004"
Introduction
Over the past few weeks, we've reviewed where FCIA has been,
where is it now, and where are we going. Below is the continuation
from last time that reviews our committees' hard work, and
positive results.
Marketing Committee – Don Murphy, Chair –
The Marketing Committee has been busy promoting FCIA Members
at Trade Shows. National Shows like, "The CSI Show",
NFPA Show and The International Code Council Show had the
"FCIA Booth" on hand, staffed by FCIA Member Contractors.
That's in addition to the 13 other shows at FCIA Contractor
Member Locations that the booth traveled to. FCIA had articles
published in the CSI, “Construction Specifier”,
Association of Licensed Architects, “Licensed Architect
Magazine”, and the National Insulation Association, “Outlook
Magazine” in 2003 increasing FCIA's exposure in the industry,
for a very little expense. Presentations have been made nationwide
as well to CSI Chapters, Building Officials and Fire Marshal's
by FCIA Members passionate about their industry.
In 2004, the Marketing Committee will present a program for
CSI Education Sessions at the CSI Show, and Facility Management
Show, and are on the waiting list for the NFPA and ICC Shows
as well. FCIA Advertising has appeared in www.4Specs.com and
at SCIP – Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice,
and “BuildCertified.com". In early 2004, FCIA became
an AIA CEU Provider. Look for materials on this program in
early February where you will be able to deliver valuable
AIA HSW (Health Safety and Welfare) category Continuing Education
Units, when using the FCIA Presentation, posted on www.fcia.org/presentations
. All this has been done by the Marketing Committee to “Promote
the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept” in our industry.
Communications – FCIA’s Website, generates
about 7000 visits per month, with FCIA Member Lists, Articles,
FCIA Specification, FM 4991 Approval Page generating the most
traffic. Compared to other websites, FCIA’s ranks high
in visits and page ranking. On “Google”, FCIA’s
Page Ranking is a “5”. Compare that to the CSI website,
an 18,000 Member group, with a Google Page Rank of “6”.
FCIA’s 120+ members are the “Hub of the world for
Firestopping”.
FCIA’s "E-Newsletter" generates responses
from members and FCIA Friends every time we send it. Architects,
Engineers, GC’s, Code and Fire Officials all often comment,
or ask for more info about our programs and the Firestopping
Industry.
In 2004, look for the FCIA E-News "list of friends”
to increase significantly as more industry influences are
added to our “E-News Mailing List”. You’ll
want to get involved in advertising opportunities on FCIA’s
website and E-News as well. Look for a missive on that in
the next two weeks.
Program Committee – Bob LeClair, Chair –
FCIA’s Program Committee has created excellent “Brand
Recognition” for our FCIA Firestop Education and Committee
Action Conference”, and “Firestop Industry Conference”
through outstanding program content.
The Program Committee for 2004 has been meeting to produce
blockbuster programs and locations as we celebrate FCIA’s
5 Year Anniversary this fall. FCIA Conferences have become
and will continue to be a big part of FCIA’s culture,
thanks to the Program Committee's hard work.
Membership – FCIA’s membership has grown
from 0 – 100+ in 5 years. To many other associations,
that’s impressive. The “Specialty Firestop Contractor
Concept Message” can be heard better if we’re larger.
Our goal is to grow to 100 FCIA Voting Contractor Members
by the end of 2004. This is a big goal. As you sit at your
desk and read this, you may be thinking, why add contractors
to FCIA? And the answer is..........FCIA is promoting “The
Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept” in the industry,
and the more the better. It's about credibility. Our message
of fire and life safety can be carried better, if LOTS of
Firestopping Contractors, carry the FCIA Specialty Firestop
Contractor Message in their area locally and nationally. As
a large voice, we can speak to protect fire and life safety
through Firestopping and Passive Fire and Life Safety Protection.
To help us get to our 100 FCIA Voting Contractor Member goal,
the FCIA Board has introduced a "Membership Promotion".
If a Voting Contractor Member recruits / sponsors a new, (never
been involved in FCIA), Firestop Contractor Member, and the
person joins FCIA, that sponsor receives a $250 credit towards
2005's Membership Dues. The new member must reference you
on the Membership Application form upon presentation of the
$1000 dues to FCIA for Membership.
FCIA is educating our construction industry about how to
protect fire and life safety in buildings through a “zero
tolerance” systems application protocol. If we can attain
further “buy in” to this concept in our industry,
buildings will be safer for all citizens, and more important,
our families. Help us by getting involved in a committee,
or recruiting a new FCIA Voting Contractor Member.
Next President's Letter - FCIA's President's Letter will
look next at what our future might hold as in industry. What
is good about it? What can we improve? How are we going to
do it?? Join in this important discussion. It's our industry.
Lets be involved in it.....
Stay Tuned ...
Ray Usher
FCIA 2004 President
Superl, Inc.
(763) 573-7464
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