On Thursday, July 17th, 2026, SMACNA and SMART hosted the first-ever BE4ALL Town Hall in Cleveland, Ohio—the hometown of both SMACNA President Tom Martin and SMART General President Michael Coleman, who paneled this industrywide conversation together.
Watch the Town Hall Now
The event brought together industry leaders and members from both organizations to learn more about how BE4ALL works for the future of the sheet metal industry, join in the conversation, and get their questions answered.
Corey Beaubien, President and Business Manager of Local 33, opened the program with a clear message: “The industry is growing, and we need to grow with it.”
President of SMACNA-Cleveland, Michael Steidel, then emphasized that the BE4ALL initiative is essential to the future of our industry, not only to meet workforce demands, but to ensure that our workplaces are welcoming.
In a powerful conversation moderated by Dushaw Hockett, President Martin and GP Coleman explored actionable strategies to recruit and support the next generation of apprentices. From communication and mentorship to foreman training and open-door leadership, they highlighted how BE4ALL is raising the standard for both workers and workplaces.
As President Martin shared: “We need to build a culture to build that respect to give people opportunities. As I traveled around the country, there are a ton of opportunities in our industry… and we want that opportunity for everyone. I think this program can do that.”
GP Coleman added: “And I think that makes us more competitive.”
A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us for the first-ever BE4ALL Town Hall.
