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(A Message from SMACNA's President) Inviting apprentices to this year's Partners in Progress Conference certainly shook things up a bit and broke with tradition. Apprentices participating in the International Training Institute's annual Apprentice Contest attended educational sessions with contractors and business agents/managers. They told us things we didn't know and a few things perhaps some of us didn't want to hear. Their participation served two purposes. First, we hoped to open their eyes to this industry's great opportunities and many career paths. And, second, we hoped to motivate them to develop their skills and become industry leaders, if they so desired. We encouraged them to join in the discussions. Many did just that and we appreciate their views. We needed and respected their input as we discussed opportunities and worked on solutions to our industry's challenges. Innovative thinking and collaboration require trust and we're glad these guys and gals trusted us enough to speak their minds. We gladly listened and heard their excitement and enthusiasm about learning new things and new technology. We also heard about their frustration when we do not embrace new technology quickly enough. As our keynote speaker Mark Breslin concluded the program, he challenged us to go home and do just one thing to make a difference. My message to those of you who attended the conference is to encourage and mentor these apprentices and others like them. The same message applies to those of you who did not attend. Help these young people discover the opportunities our industry offers. Together we must recognize their talents and provide them with what they need to grow. We must give them the permission to succeed in this field and appreciate and build from what they do best. It is our responsibility to make today's apprentices tomorrow's leaders. That's a big job, but I have confidence that we can do it. Sincerely, John Lindemulder Sr. SMACNA President Good morning. We start today, as it should be, in partnership at both the national and local level. Every two years, SMACNA's President and I have extended our greetings before getting into the important work of these conferences. John Lindemulder, this year's president, shares a common interest in moving our industry to new heights. And that goal is being advanced through the efforts of the Best Practices Market Expansion group and the Conference Planning Committee. They have done an outstanding job in putting together this year's conference - as is most evident from this year's level of attendance, particularly significant in view of the current economic situation. Yesterday, you jumped right into this two-and-a-half-day conference with a full day of breakout sessions. These sessions also took on a new look with the addition of a much larger number of apprentices participating. That dimension to our bi-annual conferences places even greater importance on the vital role our rising stars will play in advancing the future of this industry. ITI, along with tremendous support from Local 88, did a magnificent job in making the apprentice competition a major industry event.

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