SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP HITS AN ALL TIME HIGH

The current number of members in the Society now exceeds the highest level on record (1991-1992) by several hundred. A combination of more member services, better follow up on member requests and most important involvement in the industry has led to the surge.

“In 2003 the Society average about 30 new members per month and now that is almost 70” commented Edward Walsh, Executive Director, but that is a far cry from our goal of 100 per month or more. “The time we have invested in building more chapters, attending tradeshows, partnering up with other associations and using technology has slowly moved us away from the industry’s best kept secret.”

For employers having their estimating professionals as membership in the Society means more these days. “The lion share of ASPE members used to pay the dues bill themselves because they believed deeply in the organization and its mission, but now we are seeing employers paying the bulk of the dues”. Across the USA and internationally employers are searching for top shelf estimating talent, credentials for their company’s staff and the ability to keep their company “tuned in” to their local construction market. ASPE chapter, regional and national meetings are specifically designed and implemented to be a continuing education and professional development forum for all personnel from owners to junior estimators.

When it comes to making better decisions no estimating professional, project manager, architect or other management level individual can learn everything they need to know while sitting at their desks. Getting out of the office, attending an ASPE chapter meeting is a catalyst to a better employee arriving for work the following morning. Awareness of this opportunity is a reason the Society has seen a huge jump in employer paid dues. Employers are seeing more and more, that their company benefits greatly from the time their estimating professional puts into involvement in the Society.

Employers are also seeking out ASPE members more and more through their advertising on the Society’s website career center and in the national newsletter Estimating Today. Posting of advertisements has risen sharply over the last few years, as employers look to promote their company to the high level estimating talent typical of Society members. The vast majority of Society members are above the senior level and a large percentage are ASPE certified professional estimators [CPEs].