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 Registration is now open for the 2026 Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament. Returning to Lonnie Poole Golf Club at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina on October 16, the annual fundraiser brings together SEAA members, industry partners, and guests for a day of networking, friendly competition, and support for the association's safety, education, and craft training initiatives.
Since 2022, the tournament has raised more than $60,000 for grants and the development of training resources. In addition, recipients of SEAA's World Class Craft Training Excellence Award each receive a $1,500 grant to continue investing in craft training at their companies. SEAA announces new board leadership and membership director
 Right to left: Pete Gum - SEAA Executive Director, Steve Hebert - MAS Building & Bridge, Mike Mulsow - FM Steel, Glen Pisani - MAS Building & Bridge, Jack Nix - Shelby Erectors SEAA recognized four members as Trailblazers during the 2026 Convention & Trade Show for their efforts to grow the association through member recruitment. The Trailblazer designation honors individuals who recruited three or more new SEAA members during the past year.
 Association's Highest Honor Recognizes Decades of Leadership and Service to the Steel Construction Industry The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has selected Carrie Gulajan, President of Construction Insurance Agency, Inc., Manassas, Virginia, as the recipient of the William Davis Service Award. She received the award during the President’s Dinner at the 2026 Convention & Trade Show in May in Kansas City, Missouri.
The award is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to advancing the industry through service, leadership, and dedication. It is not presented annually, but only when a recipient's contributions merit this distinguished honor.  Drew Heron and Jason McElrath are Co-Recipients of The Eddie Award, Recognizing their Commitment to the Association The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has named Drew Heron, Vice President of Operations for Deem Structural Services, Longview, Texas, and Jason McElrath, President of MP Specialty Insurance, West Columbia, South Carolina, as co-recipients of the 2026 Eddie Award. They received the award during the President’s Dinner at the 2026 Convention & Trade Show in May in Kansas City, Missouri.
Formerly known as the Person of the Year Award, the recognition was renamed to honor SEAA founding member Edward “Eddie” Williams. The award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies dedicated service and a deep commitment to SEAA’s mission and values.
2026 Project of the Year winners feature high-rise, stadium, infrastructure, and public safety construction in Florida, Texas, and Alaska The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces the winners of its 2026 Projects of the Year, recognizing excellence in reinforcing steel and structural steel construction. Reinforcing Steel is a new category. Other categories include Structural Steel and Miscellaneous Metals.
This year’s winning projects took place across Florida, Texas, and Alaska, highlighting the versatility and problem-solving capabilities of steel erectors working in vastly different environments—from dense urban high-rises and active airports to remote national park infrastructure. “These projects demonstrate the ingenuity and adaptability required to deliver steel construction in today’s complex environments,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA. “Whether overcoming tight schedules, challenging site conditions, or extreme climates, each of these teams brought forward solutions that ensured safety, efficiency, and long-term performance.” Winners receive trophies, feature article coverage in Connector magazine, and the opportunity to participate in peer panel discussions. Summaries are provided below. Construction continues to face one of the highest suicide rates among all industries, with structural iron and steel workers and reinforcing ironworkers among the most at-risk occupations, according to data shared through the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP).
As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, companies across the steel construction industry are encouraged to continue conversations around mental health, suicide prevention, and worker wellbeing. In 2023, SEAA joined the CIASP STAND Up for Suicide Prevention pledge initiative. Over the past several years, the association has also expanded its focus on mental health awareness to help companies normalize conversations around mental health and connect workers with support resources.
Steel erectors and fabricators honored for advancing performance, training, and jobsite safety The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Safety Excellence and Craft Training Excellence Awards, recognizing member companies that are raising the bar for jobsite safety and ironworker training.
Presented at SEAA’s Convention & Trade Show, May 5-8, in Kansas City, Missouri, this year’s awards reflect both consistency among top performers and continued growth across the industry, including the introduction of a new Fabricator Safety Excellence category. “The expansion of the awards program for our fabricator members reflects the makeup of the association,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA. Like the Erector Safety Excellence Award, it uses a points-based system evaluating EMR ratings, OSHA logs, citations, safety programs, and training initiatives.
As hybrid steel and mass timber projects continue gaining momentum across the country, industry organizations and steel erectors are increasing efforts to prepare erection crews and field leaders for the evolving demands of construction.
To support that effort, SEAA is partnering with WoodWorks to host the next installment of its Mass Timber Training program July 13-14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in coordination with SEAA member company Pioneer Construction. Designed specifically for foremen, superintendents, project managers, and field operations leaders, the two-day program combines classroom instruction with hands-on erection experience focused on real-world field execution. By: Macie Murie, associate editor of Connector magazine, and associate client manager for Mighty Mo Media Partners
If there was one takeaway from the 2026 SEAA Convention & Trade Show, it’s this: the association continues to grow, and so does the energy behind it. From packed education sessions and a busy trade show floor to networking events that kept conversations going long after the sessions ended, this year’s convention reflected the momentum happening across SEAA and the steel construction industry as a whole. Attendance was strong with nearly 400 erectors, fabricators, and industry suppliers, but what stood out most was the level of engagement. Education sessions covering workforce development, AI, leadership, safety, project management, cybersecurity, and emerging opportunities like mass timber construction drew great participation and sparked conversations that will carry well beyond the meeting rooms.
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A Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ) is a designated work area used during steel erection and metal decking operations where crews perform leading-edge decking work before permanent fall protection systems are fully installed.
While OSHA allows limited exceptions to conventional fall protection within a CDZ, these zones present significant fall hazards if they are not properly established, controlled, and monitored. The primary risk in a CDZ is exposure to unprotected edges and unsecured decking panels. Steel decking installation often occurs at heights between 15 and 30 feet above a lower level, where workers may be exposed to fall hazards during initial deck placement. SEAA’s annual Project of the Year contest offers categories for Structural Steel, Miscellaneous Metals and, new this year, Reinforcing Steel. Projects are judged against projects with similar project values.
This year, five projects are being recognized, and four of them are first time winners! Companies will be recognized during the 2026 Convention & Trade Show in Kansas City, Missouri, May 5-8. Last week, the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) recognized 25 women as part of its Steel Strong Women in Construction campaign. Nominations came from across the industry, with this year’s honorees representing the full spectrum of roles in which women are making an impact in steel construction, from ironworkers in the field to business owners leading their companies.
“Now in its second year, our Steel Strong Women in Construction campaign saw nearly a 50% increase in nominations, reflecting growing engagement and impact,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director. “The initiative was created to elevate the perspectives of women in our niche of construction and to support the annual Women in Construction Week hosted by the National Association of Women in Construction.” 
A Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ) is a designated work area used during steel erection and metal decking operations where crews perform leading-edge decking work before permanent fall protection systems are fully installed.
While OSHA allows limited exceptions to conventional fall protection within a CDZ, these zones present significant fall hazards if they are not properly established, controlled, and monitored. The primary risk in a CDZ is exposure to unprotected edges and unsecured decking panels. Steel decking installation often occurs at heights between 15 and 30 feet above a lower level, where workers may be exposed to fall hazards during initial deck placement.
Additional hazards include damaged or improperly rated rigging gear, sling failure caused by sharp rebar edges, and uncontrolled loads when taglines are not used or lift points are poorly positioned. These risks increase when crews do not establish standard lift points or skip a final check of connections before signaling the crane operator.
 “NASCC is worth every penny a company would spend. The return on investment is incredible!” - Curtis Harmon, Erector at Deem Structural Services
Join more than 6,500 structural steel enthusiasts in Atlanta for NASCC: The Steel Conference, taking place April 22–24 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Choose from nearly 300 technical sessions and explore more than 280 products and services that can help you build better with steel—all at one unmissable event. Get the latest insights straight from leading field experts on topics like:
Registration opens January 26, and prices go up every week until the conference. Reserve your spot early to lock in the best possible rate! Learn more and register at aisc.org/nascc. The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) will host its National Convention & Trade Show May 5–8, 2026, at the Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The event brings together steel erection and fabrication professionals for practical business and workforce development discussions and opportunities to connect directly with peers and industry leaders. Attendees will also have access to the Trade Show, featuring new technologies and solutions for steel contractors.
The keynote speaker for the 2026 Convention will be Jim “The Rookie” Morris, whose remarkable career shift from high school science teacher to Major League Baseball pitcher was immortalized in the Disney film The Rookie. Morris will speak on mentorship, leadership, and the impact of surrounding yourself with people who elevate your potential.
“These bonus training aids are available to SEAA members at no cost and are designed to make implementation of craft training more manageable at the company level,” said Tim Eldridge, President of Education Services Unlimited and SEAA Training Coordinator. “They reflect our commitment to providing practical safety, education, and craft training resources that help members turn curriculum into action.”
We’re excited to announce significant updates to our annual award programs, giving members new opportunities for recognition. Submissions for the Project of the Year Award are due December 15, 2025, and entries for the Safety and Craft Training Excellence Awards are due January 31, 2026.
What’s New This Year For the first time, the Project of the Year Award will feature a dedicated category for Reinforcing Steel projects. This addition ensures that rebar contractors are evaluated alongside their peers for similar types of work. Rebar projects can now be submitted under two contract value classes—up to $500,000 and over $500,000—covering a range of project types including transportation, building structures, industrial and utility, and specialty work. The Safety & Education Committee has also expanded its Safety Excellence Award to include a new category for Fabricators, recognizing members that demonstrate outstanding safety performance and best practices. Like the Erector Safety Excellence Award, it uses a points-based system evaluating EMR ratings, OSHA logs, citations, safety programs, and training initiatives. |
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