NTCA REVIEW/FORECAST At Total Solutions Plus, NTCA leaders presented a 2018 Annual Report for its members, coupled with new initiatives for 2019. Highlights included shifting stra- tegic emphasis from new mem- ber recruitment towards a stronger effort to providing value for existing members. Examples of new value- added options for members include a Multiple Employer 401k Plan for NTCA members, paired up with a payroll service option to comple- ment this important retention tool. NTCA hopes to add a healthcare option for members in 2019. Perhaps the most important shift in strategy for NTCA will begin to take place in the second part of 2019, as the association begins to develop plans to promote its members aggressively to designers, architects, general contractors and remodelers. We are committed to investing our resources in the best way we know how; by adding additional professional staff in key areas of need in our association. In 2018, we filled two such needs with the hiring of Stephanie Samulski as Director of Technical Services, and Avia Haynes as director of Marketing and Communications. Stephanie will take a leadership role in NTCA efforts to provide contractor perspective and input in the development and revision of industry standards and methods. Avia Haynes’ main focus in 2019 will center on improving NTCA brand image in all aspects of the tile industry. Marketing goals for 2019 NTCA’s 2019 marketing goals are part of an aggressive plan that will lay the foundation for the next two years of initiatives. Our main objectives for 2019 are to strengthen the NTCA and TileLetter brands; to execute an integrated communications process that will enable our email, web, print and social communications to work together; and to put infrastructure in place as the groundwork for future endeavors, like promoting NTCA members in the construc- tion industry. NTCA’s big focus will be to gener- ate more engagement between the association and its current mem- bers. We are hoping to hear more Looking back, looking ahead NTCA rolls out new strategies at Total Solutions Plus By Bart Bettiga, NTCA Executive Director 20 TileLetter | December 2018