2018 has been a year of growth for the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA). We've expanded programs, built new alliances and done our best to promote metal buildings as the preferred-and indeed best choice-for low-rise, non-residential construction.

Things happen. Times change. We all face transitions. One that's particularly high on my mind these days is the future workforce for the metal building industry. Who will be our future leaders? Who will be our best employees? Who will take this industry to the next level?

Those professionals who pick the right partners succeed. We know that instinctively, but it becomes even clearer when we think it through. Consider, for example, all that we have learned about this industry through our interaction with publications like Metal Construction News and Metal Architecture. Think about the many benefits we've all received by partnering with industry-leading organizations like the American Institute of Steel Construction, Design Build Institute of America and Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association. Just think of all that we learn from contractors and erectors, developers and owners. I know I truly enjoy learning about the wide variety of businesses that depend on metal building systems to house their operations.