NADCA Adopts 2008 Strategic Plan

The NADCA Board of Directors has developed a strategic plan to position NADCA as "The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association." This plan aims to help NADCA members capitalize on the broader opportunities available to HVAC maintenance and restoration contractors.

Current Market Conditions

For many years, the demand for HVAC system cleaning has been driven by concerns about indoor air quality. While this trend is expected to continue, the Board believes that energy conservation will have an even greater impact on the industry as it moves forward.

NADCA's goals are to document the relationship between HVAC maintenance and restoration and energy savings. This is part of the larger goal of positioning members to serve as the HVAC energy savings experts.

New Identity and Mission

It is not unusual for an association to change its identity in an effort to adapt to changes in the market. While the term "air duct cleaning" has served NADCA well, it is now time to develop an identity that more accurately portrays the Association and the scope of services provided by its members.

While not yet ready to change the name of the Association, the Board adopted the tag line, "NADCA - the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association." This encompasses the initiatives outlined below.

Energy Research: NADCA will fund research to document the link between HVAC maintenance and restoration, and improved energy performance. The findings of this research will lead to creation of a spreadsheet that field technicians can use to estimate energy savings that can be gained through HVAC maintenance activities.

Standards: NADCA will enhance its standards to delineate requirements for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial HVAC maintenance and restoration projects.

Training: Comprehensive training will be developed and delivered to enable members to expand into emerging markets for HVAC inspection, maintenance and restoration.

Certification: Assess NADCA's certification programs and refine accordingly to match market conditions.

The Annual Meeting offered opportunities for ASCS, CVI and VSMR certifications, while providing a host of top-notch educational sessions. A number of the Annual Meeting speakers reflected the event's theme - Trends and Transitions - by addressing how to build businesses and look toward the future. The industry's leading experts were on hand for several "panel discussion" sessions that examined how to plan and adapt projects for maximum profitability, and how to prepare for inevitable changes in the HVAC cleaning industry.

The Annual Meeting schedule included several "CEC Training" sessions that enabled attendees to take materials back to their own offices in order to train personnel who were unable to attend NADCA's event. This program allows an attendee's personnel to earn CECs toward their own recertification - without ever leaving the office.

The CEC Training sessions consisted of three topics: "Tips & Techniques: Air Handler Refurbishment," taught by Brad Kuhlmann, Midwest Duct Cleaning Services; "Duct Leakage: The IAQ Connection," taught by Ken Summers, Comfort Institute Inc.; and "Coatings Applications in HVAC Systems," taught by Pete Haugen, of Vac Systems International Inc.

Keynote speaker Larry Winget, best-selling author and television host also captured the attention of his audience through his controversial, yet hilariously inspiring presentation. Winget's insight offered NADCA Annual Meeting attendees the real world, practical advice they need to create a more successful life. A book signing immediately followed Winget's presentation, and many NADCA Annual Meeting attendees had the chance to speak with this modern day philosopher.

During the General Business Meeting on March 9, the NADCA Board of Directors revealed the Association's new strategic plan, which is meant to transform the organization's reach and provide more business opportunities for members. In addition to NADCA's focus on air duct cleaning companies, the Association will direct the its efforts toward those businesses responsible for the inspection, maintenance and restoration of HVAC systems.

NADCA's 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition will be held in Orlando, Fla., March 9-12, 2009.

• Chicago, Ill. -- August 14-16
• Baltimore, Md. -- September 11-13
• Jacksonville, Fla. -- October 2-4