March 11, 1918
Oct. 2–3, 1929
Approximately 250 people attend CPIA’s 12th Annual Convention in California.
1933
CPIA coordinates work on the Code of Fair Competition for the Plastering and Lathing Contracting Industry and obtains average wage scales for some 400 cities.
1933
CPIA provides workplace wages and hours to the National Recovery Administration’s deputy administrator.
June 27, 1934
After receiving CPIA’s input, President Roosevelt issues the Code of Fair Competition for the Plastering and Lathing Contracting Industry.
1941
CPIA forms a national industry promotion committee that included trade associations representing metal lath, gypsum and others.
Aug. 1, 1945
CPIA helps form the National Foundation for Lathing and Plastering, Inc.
1947
CPIA has about $8,000 in the bank and 135 members.
1947
Plastering Industries becomes the official publication of CPIA in 1947.
1949
CPIA has about 500 members and a bank balance of $6,160.
June 20, 1950
CPIA president Edmond F. Venzie tells CPIA’s board of directors about “attacks by Dry-Wall interests against lathing and plastering.”
1952
The National Bureau for Lathing and Plastering forms in Denver 1952 (incorporated in 1953) to promote the industry.
1955
Wally Stabbert and Joe Baker Jr. become CPIA’s first full-time employees. Stabbert was the western field representative, Baker was the executive secretary.
Oct. 24, 1957
Delegates to CPIA’s 40th Annual Convention changed the association’s bylaws to include: “The name of this Corporation shall be Contracting Plasterers’ and Lathers’ International Association.”
1957
The Gypsum Drywall Contractors International forms.
1963
William A. Duguid of Chicago pushes CPLIA to develop a five-year plan. An end result was the formation of the Continuing Study Council (AWCI’s Continuing Study Committee today), which Duguid chaired.
1969
CPLIA changed its name in 1969 to iaWCC—the international association of the Wall & Ceiling Contractors.
1969
Assisted by Inland-Ryerson Construction Products Co. (later Inryco Inc.), iaWCC releases the first ever Steel Stud Framing booklet.
August 1974
iaWCC launches a new magazine, Construction Dimensions.
1975
iaWCC’s board of directors passes Resolution No. 2—“a policy position in support of the use of automatic tools in the drywall industry.”
July 2, 1976
The Gypsum Drywall Contractors International and the international association of the Wall & Ceiling Contractors merge, creating iaWCC/GDCI.
1977
iaWCC/GDCI establishes the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry.
July 1, 1979
iaWCC/GDCI becomes the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries—International.
1980
President Gerald Ford speaks at 1980’s 63rd AWCI Annual Convention about the U.S. economy and the energy sector.
March 1980
Before the 63rd Annual Convention in Phoenix, AWCI presents a two-day event, “Short Course on Panelization,” to more than 150 contractors, suppliers and manufacturers’ representatives.
1981
AWCI helps to form the Construction Industry Coalition for the New Beginning, an alliance of construction associations supporting Ronald Reagan’s economic program.
1981
AWCI helps found the Exterior Insulation Manufacturers Association (now the EIFS Industry Members Association).
1982
The Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry’s first auction fundraiser raises $40,000.
1982
For the first time, supplier members are elected to the AWCI board of directors.
1985
The Asbestos Abatement Council of AWCI is formed.
1985
For the first time, AWCI’s membership base passes the 1,000 mark.
1987
The Asbestos Abatement Council of AWCI sponsors the First Annual World Congress on Asbestos Abatement, which features 55 educational sessions and 100 exhibitors.
1992
The Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry publishes “Light Gage Steel Framing Primer: A Guide to Understanding and Application.”
August 1996
AWCI’s website, awci.org, makes its debut.
1997
AWCI presents its first Excellence in Construction Quality Awards.
1998
AWCI presents its first Excellence in Construction Safety Award.
1998
AWCI produces its first publication in Spanish, the 44-page, “AWCI Employee Safety Handbook, Spanish Edition.”
December 1998
AWCI launches the EIFS—Doing It Right® program.
2000
Anne Daly of P.J. Daly Contracting Ltd., Hamilton, Ontario, becomes the first woman and first Canadian to receive AWCI’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award.
2002
The Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry’s Research Series begins publishing. The first paper helped contractors understand the mold issue and remediation.
2002
AWCI drafts an immigration policy as a result of legislation enacted after 9/11. AWCI acknowledges the importance of national security but also calls for legislation that would allow immigrants to remain in the United States.
2003
The AWCI Insurance Company Ltd. is incorporated in Bermuda to provide general liability insurance at competitive rates for association members needing coverage on EIFS projects.
December 2005
AWCI and the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry launch AWCI CARES to assist AWCI member employees and their families who face a hardship.
2006
AWCI’s Steel—Doing It Right® education program makes its debut at Academy.
2007
AWCI’s membership tops 2,200.
January 2013
The first Exterior Envelope—Doing It Right® is presented.
2013
AWCI introduces the Excellence in Construction Innovation Award.
2014
AWCI launches the Project Manager Development Series, an on-demand webinar program for industry managers.
March 24–28, 2018
AWCI members celebrate AWCI’s 100 years of success at the annual convention in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
