The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is a nonprofit trade organization that has been advocating for roofing professionals since 1886. This big-tent organization represents not only roofing contractors but all professionals that play a part in the roofing industry, including engineers, consultants, material distributors and architects. Read more

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is a nonprofit trade organization dedicated to promoting the statewide landscaping industry and its associated causes. In addition to licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors, the organization’s membership includes public officials, educators and students.

CLCA’s stated mission is “to serve and protect the interests of its members, promote professionalism, and advance public awareness of the landscape industry.” Read more

The American Dental Association (ADA) is the largest association of dental professionals in the United States. Since its establishment in 1859, the nonprofit organization has grown to comprise a membership of more than 162,000 dentists and has become the leading source of oral health-related information for both dentists and the general public. Read more

Since 1993, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) has served as the leading trade organization of the segmental concrete paving industry in North America. ICPI’s 1,100 members come from across the United States and Canada. They work as paver manufacturers, installation contractors, designers and suppliers.

ICPI positions itself as the industry’s leading authority on best practices and technical expertise for paver installation and maintenance. The organization’s primary goals are to promote greater use of segmental pavers in residential, commercial and public settings, and to improve the skills and standards of those working in the industry. Read more

“As members of the Tree Care Industry Association, we strive to…improve the quality of life through increasing our knowledge and skills in the management of trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants entrusted to our care.” – From the Tree Care Industry Association’s Arborist Pledge

If you’re planning to care for your trees this summer, it’s a good idea to get to know the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). Most people recognize the ways trees make our lives better. Not only are they beautiful, they also improve our air, offer a home to wildlife and stabilize the soil. But the urban and suburban trees growing in our yards need proper care to thrive, Read more

When you think about public utilities, you probably think about electricity, water or gas. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is a government agency that regulates private companies that provide those services. But the mandate for the CPUC is much broader than many Californians realize—it also has authority over telecommunication companies, rail transit providers and passenger carriers. The CPUC’s stated mission is to “regulate services and utilities, protect consumers, safeguard the environment, and assure Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services.” This piece focuses on one aspect of the CPUC’s role: the regulation of moving companies.

Any company that moves household goods within California needs to have a permit issued by the CPUC. Read more

History

In the 1990s, many industry leaders in the heating and air conditioning field noticed a problem. Equipment manufacturers were producing more advanced machines, but clients were frequently dissatisfied with them. Companies were spending more resources on customer service, recurring callbacks and handling costly returns. Manufacturers and contractors realized the technicians working on these systems often didn’t have the necessary education or training to service them properly. To address this problem, the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) formed North American Technician Excellence (NATE), a nonprofit certification program for technicians working in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR). Read more