Looking back after three decades, I can say without hesitation that the satisfaction of watching SIMA grow has exceeded anything we envisioned in that Erie basement

Looking back, it's amazing how something that began with a simple idea has grown into an organization that has influenced an entire industry.

Back in 1995, my business was slow, and I found myself thinking about the future of the snow and ice industry. Years earlier there had been a snow association that had dissolved, and I wondered whether there was enough interest to build something new.

Our marketing person mailed letters to about 50 contractors whose business cards I had collected over the years, asking whether they would be interested in resurrecting a professional association dedicated to snow and ice management. Twenty-five contractors responded that they were interested.

Setting the foundation

In early 1996, I invited everyone to my home in Erie, PA, to discuss the possibility. In the end, eight contractors traveled to Erie at their own expense, armed with little more than optimism, a shared vision and a willingness to build something meaningful.

That Saturday morning, we gathered in my basement and spent the next 10 hours developing a mission statement, drafting bylaws and laying the foundation for what would eventually become the Snow & Ice Management Association. During those discussions, the original proposed name for the organization was discarded because it felt too limiting. The late Phil Christian suggested "Snow & Ice Management Association," and, thankfully, the name stuck.


SIMA was officially incorporated in September 1996. Sadly, only a few months later, we lost Phil, one of the driving forces behind the organization. His passing was devastating, and for a time we wondered whether the association would survive. Fortunately, it did, and in many ways his vision continues to live on through the organization he helped create.

Gaining momentum

In those early years, growth required creativity. I volunteered to speak about snow and ice management at landscape industry conferences whenever organizers would provide booth space for SIMA, free of charge. Those opportunities introduced contractors to the association, and membership steadily increased.

By our second year, we introduced the idea of a dedicated educational symposium. The first Symposium, held in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1997, attracted about 35 attendees. The following year, attendance grew to roughly 100. As the event continued to expand, equipment manufacturers, suppliers and service providers became active participants, helping transform the Symposium into the industry's premier educational and networking event.


We also made a conscious decision to move the Symposium around the country so contractors from every region would have the opportunity to participate. That decision proved to be an important part of SIMA's growth. Seeing nearly 2,000 attendees at this year's Symposium in Cincinnati, OH, reminded me just how far the organization has come.

Handing over the reins

After serving in leadership for the first six years, I believed it was time for others to guide the association forward. The membership embraced that responsibility, and each successive generation of leaders has continued to elevate the organization beyond anything we imagined in 1996.

Today, SIMA has become an international association representing every segment of the snow and ice management profession. Hundreds of volunteers, industry leaders, manufacturers, suppliers and contractors have contributed their time and expertise to build an organization that continues to raise the standards of our profession.

An industry transformed

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment has been the transformation of the industry. Thirty years ago, most of us believed we were good snow contractors. Looking back, we were only beginning to understand what professionalism in snow and ice management could become.

Through education, collaboration, innovation and the willingness to learn from one another, contractors have become stronger business owners, better risk managers and more knowledgeable professionals. Equipment has advanced, technology has revolutionized operations, and business practices have matured in ways few of us could have predicted.

The original founders hoped to create something that would help contractors become more than simply people who pushed snow. We wanted to build a profession – one grounded in education, professionalism and a commitment to continuous improvement.


Looking back after three decades, I can say without hesitation that the satisfaction of watching SIMA grow has exceeded anything we envisioned in that Erie basement. What began as eight contractors sharing ideas has become a thriving organization that continues to shape the future of our industry.

As we celebrate 30 years of SIMA, I find myself wondering what the next 30 years will bring. While I may not be around to see all of it, I have complete confidence that the spirit of innovation, collaboration and professionalism that started in 1996 will continue to drive this industry forward for generations to come.

John Allin, CSP, ASM, is considered the founder of SIMA. He has been in the snow industry for almost 60 years. He is still involved in the industry at 73 years old and will work in this industry until he passes on. Contact him at John@allinrose.com.