SIMA to focus on several important initiatives in 2026

It has been a great honor for me to serve as SIMA’s board chair this year. As our industry continues to face challenges, the board of directors has crafted a dynamic and forward-thinking 3-year strategic plan to guide our association and the industry forward. The plan is the result of extensive collaboration, thoughtful consideration of industry trends, and invaluable input from our dedicated members, volunteer leaders, and staff.

Executive Director Martin Tirado and the dedicated SIMA staff are already acting on the important initiatives we identified:

Localizing member connections. Our interest groups and peer groups continue to gain momentum, and we welcomed the new Pacific Northwest & Western Canada groups to the lineup this year. The membership team will continue to explore ways SIMA can bring stakeholders together to encourage personal and professional growth.

Advancing industry standards. In 2026, we will begin a feasibility analysis for a national snow and ice services contract standard that should create a more level playing field, with shared responsibilities between customers and accountability for service.

Making a legislative impact. We established The Snow & Ice Legislative Council (SILC) to serve as a vital advocate for the snow and ice management industry at both state and provincial levels. Its primary mission is to monitor, influence and respond to legislative and regulatory developments that impact snow and ice professionals. Email martin@sima.org to learn more.

Growing SIMA’s training accreditations. The education team, with the help of a member-driven task force, has created new safety training for sidewalk teams and plow operators. It is the first step in bringing safety to the forefront that will eventually include a SIMA accreditation program centered on safety and insurability. A future phase will expand the program to include a formal safety audit that members can use to show insurance underwriters and brokers that the professional snow and ice management industry is a “good risk” worth insuring.

Events in action

This industry is at its best when we come together to learn from each other and grow our professional networks—and that’s where our outstanding in-person events come in. The staff executed a successful Snow & Ice Symposium in Grand Rapids, where more than 2,000 snow pros and suppliers were in attendance. The Leadership Forum continues to gain momentum, and we hope you’ll join us in Savannah, GA, in 2026. Plus, more than 350 people attended one-day conferences in Milwaukee, WI, and Concord, NH.

Accelerating leadership