Today’s blog hopefully has some inspiring thoughts for the future by relating to recent SPRA history by way of the SPRA awards.
As we all know, the SPRA Conference and Awards Dinner, due to take place in June had to be cancelled this year for obvious, Covid-19, related reasons. Completely understandable on health and safety grounds, but nevertheless disappointing as it had become a fixture and major event in the roofing, if not the construction industry calendar, in recent years. This was, of course, very unfortunate as it denied us the opportunity of meeting with members to exchange viewpoints directly and be informed on industry relevant topics by a host of inspiring speakers. It also however meant that the SPRA Annual Awards Dinner couldn’t take place this year and the awards process had to be postponed.
The SPRA awards are a vital part of our industry and as well as an opportunity for our members to meet in a very pleasant social setting; they are a beacon in highlighting all that is great and exceptional in the world of single ply roofing. They generate interest in the trade media that stretches well beyond the flat roofing sector, shining a spotlight on the capability and versatility of single ply products, systems and our specialist contractors. It is certainly true that anyone from out with our industry cannot fail to be impressed. Some of the projects put forward are often of a highly technical nature, some have huge aesthetic value in the quality of detailing alone, but all have something in common, they are highly inspirational. And this is the key point, the SPRA awards inspire great work to a very high, industry leading, standard. They allow us to showcase the talent that exists within our industry in the manufacture, design and installation of single ply roofing systems.
By way of this blog I hope you get the message; the awards process has been postponed this year but expect it to be back in 2021 when we will judge projects over a two-year period, not the usual one year. So, I would urge all to consider projects completed in both 2019 and during this year for submission for a SPRA award in one of the appropriate categories. Let’s make the SPRA awards in 2021 the ‘best ever’ with greater numbers to consider from a wider audience, as our membership numbers continue to grow.
In the autumn this year we will be providing details of the awards process and highlighting the various categories with information and tips on what the judging panel will be looking for. But needless to say, start considering now how you can inspire others in single ply roofing by presenting your work for the SPRA Awards 2021. As always, even the judging process is a highlight of the year for me – who cannot enjoy seeing great single ply projects and reading the all important background information.
Wishing you all well and for any further information please contact SPRA.
Dr Ronan Brunton B.Sc MBA GMICE
SPRA CEO