From Tours to Technology: Bellevue OQM Delivers Insight and Connection

SBCA's second Open Quarterly Meeting (OQM) of 2026 brought component manufacturers, framers, suppliers, and industry leaders together in Bellevue, WA, for a productive week of education, industry insight, and peer connection.

Education and Industry Insight

Throughout the meeting, attendees explored topics impacting the structural building components industry today and into the future. Discussions covered safety initiatives and resources, changes introduced in the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC), the growing role of artificial intelligence in business operations, and economic trends affecting housing and construction markets. Together, these sessions provided practical insight and sparked conversations that continued well beyond the session.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Complementing the educational program, attendees toured Builders FirstSource's component manufacturing facility in Arlington, WA, gaining firsthand insight into production operations and exchanging ideas with fellow industry professionals. Participants also visited the Boeing Everett Factory, where they observed large-scale manufacturing processes and explored operational concepts that can inspire innovation and efficiency within their own organizations.

The meeting also featured a discussion with participants from SBCA's recent European industry tour, highlighting innovative practices and observations from component manufacturing operations across Europe. Combined with the educational sessions, tours, and peer discussions, attendees left Bellevue with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and practical takeaways to bring back to their businesses.

Members Help Shape Future Programming

Beyond education and networking, OQMs provide members with opportunities to help shape the future of the association and its programs. During the meeting, the Education Committee selected the supplier-led education sessions for BCMC & Framer Summit 2026. Chosen through a competitive application process, the following sessions were selected. Congratulations to this year's presenters.

Association Business and Leadership Updates

The week concluded with a quarterly meeting of the SBCA Board of Directors, where leaders discussed association programs, initiatives, and opportunities for the year ahead and conducted elections and renewals for several Board positions. Greg Dahlstrom of US LBM was renewed for a three-year Component Manufacturer term. David Reid of Kyocera-SENCO Industrial Tools was renewed for a one-year Associate term, while Rachel Hoops of Alpine, an ITW Company, and Jerry Vulgaris of QuickTie Products, Inc. were re-elected for one-year Associate terms.

Looking Ahead

The Bellevue OQM demonstrated once again the value of bringing industry professionals together to learn, share ideas, and build connections. The combination of education, tours, industry updates, strategic discussions, and peer-to-peer collaboration provides attendees with perspectives and relationships that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.

2027 OQMs were also announced for 2027; the first OQM of the year will be in conjunction with IBS 2027 in February in Las Vegas, the second will be April in Dallas, TX, and the last OQM of 2027 will be July in Chicago, IL. Official dates and more details will be released in the coming months.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, hosted tours, participated in discussions, and contributed to a successful meeting. We look forward to continuing the conversation at BCMC & Framer Summit 2026, September 14-18 in Columbus, OH.

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