by Scott Grayson, CAE, KCSAE Director
In the past, many associations sought to stand apart from others, often prioritizing individual recognition and achievements. There was hesitation to collaborate or form coalitions, since organizations wanted to claim recognition for their own accomplishments. However, leadership within associations has evolved. Today, associations are increasingly embracing collaboration, recognizing that a win-win outcome benefits all parties involved. As the Chinese proverb states, “A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle.” Together, we are stronger than when we stand alone.
This shift toward collaboration became evident during discussions I had with the CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and the Executive Director of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). We realized that while each of our organizations runs outstanding award programs, that honor engineers and public works professionals, we were not reaching the broader public as it should. These prestigious awards were celebrated primarily within our own association circles. We talked about how we could celebrate these amazing infrastructure projects with the public. Through our discussions we decided to launch the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow.
ACEC, APWA, and ASCE now work together to identify and celebrate infrastructure projects that have made a lasting impact on society's health, safety, and well-being. The Roadshow serves as a traveling press conference that highlights these projects. We host these events on-site, inviting engineering firms, public works departments, and local, state, and national leaders involved in the projects. Each organization speaks to the significance of the work, emphasizing the critical need for ongoing infrastructure development to ensure safety and improve the quality of life. To date, we've hosted fourteen Roadshows across the U.S., with seven more planned in the coming months. These projects include bridges, parks, trails, causeways, water treatment plants, and even zoos.
In addition to celebrating the projects themselves, we have used these Roadshows as a platform to discuss the essential workforce behind them—those designing, building, and maintaining these infrastructure projects. A key takeaway from these Roadshows has been the recognition of a workforce shortage. In response, ACEC, APWA, and ASCE convened a Workforce Summit in Washington, D.C., bringing together over 50 organizations. From this summit, we launched the Engineering Workforce Consortium, a coalition dedicated to tackling workforce challenges by nurturing talent, retaining expertise, and promoting growth in STEM careers to meet the evolving demands of infrastructure development.
Reflecting on these efforts, I believe that no single organization could have achieved the success we have experienced without collaboration. The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow was even recognized by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 2024, receiving their prestigious Silver Award.
Through this journey, it has become increasingly clear to me that collaboration and coalition-building not only enhance the voice of individual associations but also significantly broaden their public reach. As the proverb reminds us, “A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle.” By coming together, we can achieve far more than we could alone.