Page 40 - Green Builder May-June 2018 Issue

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF ASSOCIATIONS

PDCA (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America)

Thanks to the internet, this venerable group has kept up with the times.

OUNDED IN 1884, the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) is the only trade
association dedicated to the success of painting and decorating contractors through ethics,
education and excellence. Nearly 2,000 contractors in America and Canada are proud members
of this organization.
The PDCA offers contractor members many opportunities to develop and grow through
participation in education programs, attendance at local networking meetings, use of PDCA Industry
Standards and more. The association’s premier event is the annual Painting Contractors Expo, which
F offers attendees a chance to obtain the latest industry information, receive innovative business and
technical training, and participate in round-table discussions and informal gatherings.
As sustainability practices are introduced, PDCA presents programs that contain information on how
sustainable practices can increase profitability for companies by showing a commitment to the world their
“PDCA provides ongoing prospective customer’s value. Examples include recapturing pressure washer water, use of low-water cleaning
information to business methods for brushes and rollers, and utilizing paint donation and recycling programs.
But PDCA is not entirely a “members only” organization. Utilizing ongoing best practice education, the
owners on best practices PDCA provides, through industry leaders, education that presents the ever-changing practices of professional
within the industry. This painting. A key resource here is the PDCA’s PaintED Podcast, a weekly series on how to build stronger
businesses, as told by industry experts. The organization also offers Ask-a-Painter, a weekly Facebook-based
includes including Q&A session for professionals and homeowners. CREDIT: PDCA
information on paint recycle During a PaintED Podcast episode, PDCA Executive Director Steve
programs, greener methods Skodak stressed that everyone can benefit from the knowledge the
association offers. “PDCA has always represented the painter or paint
of equipment clean up, and contractor,” he said. “[But] we’re really working on behalf of everybody FACTS
programs that allow for use in the industry, not just our member base.”
of surplus product in NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 1,287
charitable works in the MEMBER BREAKDOWN: Residential and

community.” commercial painting contractors
HEADQUARTERS: St. Louis ROLE MODELS
Steve Skodak, PDCA
Executive Director WEBSITE: http://pdca.org

NUMBER OF ACTIVE SITES: Local
chapters: 44; councils 21; forums: 3

KEY SERVICES OFFERED: Access
to education programs; webinars;
training videos; the Ask-a-Peer Network;
Contractor’s Roundtable; Safety Chat;
PaintED Podcast; accreditation offerings;
local networking meetings; and use of PDCA
Industry Standards.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Painting
and Decorating Contractors of America is
dedicated to the success of painting and
decorating contractors through ethics,
education and excellence.

38 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2018 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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