‘Head West, young man’ may take on new meaning as WAI Chapter seeks a return
The Association is pleased to announce that work has begun internally to revitalize its Western Chapter, which has not been active in recent years.
The Western Chapter was charted in California in 1999, and had been active, led by a core group of individuals. Over time, the chapter began to slip, largely due to companies leaving the immediate California area and founding board members either retiring or moving on from the industry. The Chapter became dormant shortly after 2015.
During its heyday, the Western Chapter produced numerous education programs and golf tournaments in California. Recent conversations and feedback from existing WAI members show promising opportunity to revitalize the chapter over the next year.
“We know that there is a demand from industry companies for regional networking and education programs and we also know that Chapter participation directly supports the Association’s membership growth,” said John Markowski, WAI’s manager of membership. “There is especially strong interest within Texas, which is home to a healthy mix of suppliers and manufacturers.”
Markowski said that the chapter may also expand to include Monterrey, Mexico, which would be a good fit geographically as it is home to several wire and cable companies. The Association will host an International Technical Conference there Nov. 13-15.
The WAI currently has chapters in the Mid-South, Midwest, New England, Ohio and Southeast regions as well as foreign chapters in India, Italy and Poland.
The Western Chapter includes the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. WAI members in these states who would be interested in being part of the efforts to restore the chapter should contact Markowski at jmarkowski@wirenet.org.
Chapter notes: scholarship updates
The scholarship application period for WAI’s New England, Midwest, and Southeast Chapters recently closed on March 31st. Each Chapter’s scholarship review committee and the Wire Foundation will now meet to consider the scholarship applications. The recipients will be notified mid-May. Each program had good interest and numerous applications this year.
• The New England Chapter will award six scholarships at $2,500 each.
• The Southeast Chapter will award four scholarships at $1,800 each.
• The Midwest Chapter will award three scholarships at $1,500 each.
• Be on the lookout for the Ohio Valley Chapter scholarship program that will launch in 2024.
Chapter notes: golf tournaments
Registration will soon open for WAI Chapter golf tournaments at the dates/locations shown below.
• June 1, 2023. The Midwest Chapter Golf Tournament will take place at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club, West Chicago, Illinois.
• Aug. 24, 2023. The Ohio Valley Chapter’s Golf Tournament will take place at the Kennsington Golf Club, Canfield, Ohio.
• Sept. 11, 2023. The New England Chapter Golf Tournament will take place at the Tunxis Country Club, Farmington, Connecticut.
• Sept. 28, 2023. The Southeast Chapter Golf Tournament will take place at the Rock Barn Country Club in Conover, South Carolina.
Register online for tournament, sponsorship, and dinner-only participation: wai.configio.com.
