BSCAI Celebrates 50th Anniversary In Las Vegas

This is the first part of a two-part article about the 2015 BSCAI Annual Convention.

This year, Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and there’s no better way to acknowledge the milestone than with an awesome Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

Held Oct. 22 to 24 at the Bellagio and Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2015 BSCAI Annual Convention, co-located with ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America (Oct. 21 to 23), will pay homage to BSCAI’s first 50 years, while staying true to its mission — helping building service contractors grow and develop their businesses through networking, education sessions, and focusing on key industry trends and solutions.

“It’s exciting that we’re celebrating our 50th anniversary,” says Janelle Bruland, 2015 BSCAI Annual Convention chair and president/CEO of Management Services Northwest in Ferndale, Washington. “Having served BSCs for the last 50 years, BSCAI is dedicated to the advancement and growth of our members. This year we have invited past presidents and board members to attend the event. They will be recognized at a Welcome Reception on Oct. 22nd.”

BSCAI will be setting up a pop-up museum that looks back at the first five decades of the association’s existence. This will highlight the changes and growth over the years. There is also a special anniversary tribute video that celebrates the many members and presidents of the association.
 
“Our industry has many generational businesses,” says Bruland. “Paul Greenland, our 2015 president, follows his father who was also president of the association many years ago.”

In addition to documenting the association’s 50-year history, this year’s convention features more than 30 education sessions designed and led by BSCs, specifically focused on growing and developing their businesses. Sessions will focus on issues related to finance, general management, human resources, operations, sales, marketing and technology.

“It is BSC-to-BSC education that is invaluable to our businesses,” says Bruland.

Networking opportunities are also plentiful. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with more than 500 of their BSC peers and share best practices with other company leaders from across the country.

There are several slots throughout the show where there is the opportunity to network with others. On Thursday, Oct. 22, BSCAI will have a new member luncheon, which is an opportunity for new members to come and meet members of the board of directors and other members of the association. They’ll be able to learn how they can best utilize their membership in BSCAI for the growth of their business.

The convention will have roundtable sessions on Thursday and Friday that allow BSCs to talk about a variety of topics with their peers.

“If there is a particular topic that is burning in your mind, come to a roundtable session to discuss topics of interest,” says Bruland.

Bruland, who has attended the BSCAI convention since 2002, says it’s wonderful to learn and put things into practice that will help her business thrive.
 
“The contacts and friends that I have made over the years have been so positive,” says Bruland. “If a challenge arises, I am able to reach out to a colleague for assistance. It has been invaluable to me and to my business, and I know it will be to others for the same reason as well.”     

Photo courtesy of BSCAI