Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 6

40 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 6 year proved to be fruitful in other ways: • The roots of a new chapter in Wisconsin were formed • A new members-only, Teams-based “eForum” was launched, providing a 24/7 means of peer-to-peer networking and problem- solving • Conferences, workshops, and other in-person events were transitioned to the virtual realm and new ones were born, including two “town hall meetings” to discuss COVID-19 impacts and responses. Roughly 1,870 people attended COAA events in 2020, including nearly 1,200 Owners • The new “COAA Cares” initiative was born, stemming from a hands-on effort at the fall 2019 conference in Atlanta; this initiative seeks to provide a means for COAA event attendees to give back and a platform for charitable organizations within the industry to explain & promote their mission (examples include the ACE Mentor Program and Construction Angels) • A new membership database and e-commerce platform was launched, along with a new website • Ties were made or strengthened with other AEC industry associations, forged in part by a desire to share best practices in dealing with COVID impacts • While complete transition of the OTI curriculum to virtual was impossible due to the heavy involvement of volunteer instructors, two of the courses were delivered in abridged virtual form • The staff, Board, and other volunteer leaders became even more connected and synchronized thanks to regular virtual gatherings