Jeremy Hallman,
Executive Director, SMACNA-BC
It’s hard to believe it’s 2026 already. Vancouver has certainly felt like winter with all the rain, but the fact that I have not been asked to drive one of my kids up the ski hill or surrender my truck so they can brave the elements has me questioning what time of year it actually is.
Despite signs that things have slowed down, I continue to hear optimistic outlooks from contractors. Many companies seem to be taking a breath and regrouping for the year ahead. A few members have expressed concerns about jobs being cancelled or delayed, but overall things appear to have returned to more manageable levels. It may still be too early to draw firm conclusions, but based on the hours we are seeing, we are trending closer to last year’s totals rather than our projections of a modest drop. Final numbers and details will be shared with members at our AGM and Convention in Kelowna this May.
Recently, we invited contractor members to nominate an emerging leader to represent SMACNA-BC at the Partners in Progress Conference, February 16 to 18, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. After carefully reviewing the nominations, the Board of Directors selected Matt Vinter of Ridge Sheet Metal Co. for the emerging leader spot. Matt holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from UBC Sauder and combines that education with his sheet metal Red Seal.
Matt is on a roll, but more on that later.
Highlights from the SMACNA Council Meeting
I recently had the pleasure of attending the SMACNA Council Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, with President-Elect Angelo Paris of Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd. The sessions included plenty of strong takeaways, including a presentation by Mounir El Asmar on new market entry risks and opportunities. I have already reached out to explore having him present a full-day program for our membership this spring, if he is available.
We also heard from cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa, who spoke about building an effective plan in case your business is hacked. He emphasized that cybersecurity response planning should be treated like any other emergency plan, with designated leads and a clear schedule for what systems you would want restored first. One particularly practical recommendation was not to store your cyber insurance policy on your server, since in some cases hackers search for policy limits when companies say they cannot afford to pay a ransom.
SMACNA-BC Christmas Party
On November 29, 2025, we held our SMACNA-BC Christmas Party at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver. Based on survey results and guest feedback, the new venue and date were a hit. One of the highlights of the evening was recognizing Rolly Charbonneau, who received his SMACNA-BC Life Member plaque with family members in attendance. Congratulations, Rolly, and thank you for your service to the association and our industry.
We also introduced a new prize this year, the SMACNA-BC Golden Ticket, which provides the recipient with a $5,000 travel gift card to go wherever they would like. Congratulations to Matt Vinter of Ridge Sheet Metal Co., the lucky winner.
With the additional space, we were also able to bring back a dance floor. DJ Christina kept the floor full from start to finish of her set, and it was great to see so many members enjoying the evening together.
Attendees generously donated $4,800 to the Helping Families in Need Society, which the SMACNA-BC Board of Directors agreed to match, for a total donation of $9,600. Thank you to everyone who donated and to those who brought an unwrapped gift for under the tree.
To view all the photos please visit https://www.kasselmancreative.com/SMACNA-BC-HolidayParty-25
Password (case sensitive, no space): christmas2025
Applications Open: College of Fellows Scholarships
The SMACNA College of Fellows Scholarship Program provides opportunities for students and industry professionals to pursue higher education. Application deadline: February 28, 2026.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements:
- SMACNA member contractor
- Employee of a SMACNA member contractor
- SMACNA chapter executive
- National SMACNA employee
- SMACNA associate member
- Immediate family member of one of the above-listed groups
SMACNA-BC applicants are eligible to apply for the following scholarships:
- Four-year scholarships: $2,000 per year, up to $8,000 USD
- One-year scholarships: $2,000 USD (including the SMACNA British Columbia Endowed Scholarship, payable in US dollars)
Partners in Progress
In February, a group of contractors, Local 280 members, and two emerging leaders will be attending Partners in Progress in Orlando. This event is a great opportunity to connect with others across North America and share what is working, and what is not, when it comes to strengthening labour-management partnerships in our industry.
Looking Ahead
SMACNA-BC is working to secure top talent for upcoming speaking and learning events. I will also continue getting out to meet new contractor and associate members to ensure their voices are heard and that they know they are supported. ■
