b'COVID-19RISING TONEW CHALLENGESTCA TRANSFORMS TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS OF ITS INDUSTRYBy Warren HeeleyEVOLVING. THE OXFORDwhether it be one-on-one or in a group, isAnother meeting area where TCA has DICTIONARY DEFINES THIS WORDseen as an important value proposition.made strides is online training. The as having the ability to develop from aUnfortunately, COVID has thrown theusual in-class educational sessions simple to more complex form. In the casetypical norms for meetings out the windowwere suspended in March by provincial of associations, evolving means continuallyas member safety has become the orderemergency regulations. TCA responded providing relevant services as membersof the day. by moving all training to online sessions. needs change and become more complex.With the success the association has had Never has this challenge been moreChanging the norms for meetings andto date, it is changing the norm for training than now, with the COVID-19 pandemicevents is a key priority for TCA. Accordinginitiatives in the future. This is one area continuing to lay siege to countries aroundto Mollenhauer, association staff iswhere TCA has changed to meet the new the world. conducting ongoing research to determinenormal in education, says Brian Endacott, the electronic platforms that will provideTCA chair. This new way of delivering TCA is clear on the fact that it needs tomembers with the best option for specificquality education to members is being well evolve. We have to find ways to provideevents without compromising safety.received and opens opportunities for a new and different value for members andwider range of learning to be offered.the industry, says TCA president and CEOFor example, Zoom has proven to be a John Mollenhauer. We do not see thegood option for meetings; however, forENGAGEMENT & MEMBERSHIPindustry returning to the norms of pre- events such as the TCA Annual Meeting,The new normal also extends to the COVID. The new normal must be our focuspolling options have to be included tooverheated Ontario construction market, for the future. permit members to record their vote onwith a possible recession looming as a corporate decisions. For Construct Canada,result of COVID. For decades, this market A primary service for TCA members hasthe national construction trade event, TCAhas kept TCA members focused on been in-person meetings and events.is currently looking at more sophisticatedtheir never-ending workload, hampering From board and committee meetings toplatforms like Swapcard, which usestheir ability to participate in association conferences and educational sessions, theartificial intelligence to connect exhibitorsactivities. In the future we will be seeing personal interaction between members,and audiences on a virtual basis. a less heated market where members 16Quarter 3 2020 BUILDERSDIGEST'