Earl R. Hall Executive Director – Syracuse Builders Exchange
As the fourth quarter of the year begins, we at the Syracuse Builders Exchange (SBE) reflect on the success of the past 12 months, as we begin to focus on 2026 with optimism and excitement.
The past year marked another period of record growth and achievement for SBE and our members. Guided by our mission to acquire and disseminate important industry information, further the best interest of the regional building and construction industry, and to foster and develop relationships within the industry, SBE delivered measurable value across our wide range of membership benefits and services throughout the year.
Acquiring and Disseminating Information
Through Syrabex’s e-plan room, weekly e-bulletins, periodic emails, and Construction Contractor Magazine, SBE acquired and disseminated timely and important information construction industry employers and their employees rely upon every day. Whether it’s construction projects in the planning stages, projects actively bidding, bidders lists, contract awards, new federal or state legislation, information from our many professional partners or other information contractors need to know, SBE delivered using a wide range of communication mediums.
Education and Safety Training
SBE’s education and safety training programs reached both record participation and course offerings, equipping members with the skills and knowledge to navigate evolving industry technologies such as Building Information Modeling, safety standards, and general business practices. The Association delivered workshops, seminars, and certifications that not only advanced individual careers but helped employers provide a safer and more efficient working environment both on the job site and in the office.
Safety remained a top priority, with new training modules, additional training resources and instructors, and industry-wide campaigns designed to reduce incident rates for our member firms and the industry in general. These efforts underscored SBE’s commitment to not only our member employers, but ensuring every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.
Membership Growth and Engagement
Membership significantly expanded this past year, led by the migration of 100 new members from the Mohawk Valley Builders Exchange. Absent those new members, SBE still experienced membership growth, driven by out-of-area contractors looking to take advantage of the Association’s services and the abundance of future construction opportunities central New York will offer over the next decade.
Sustained membership growth reflects the value of SBE’s services, the strength of our membership and the tremendous services our staff delivers every day to our member employers and their employees. Engagement through events, emails, phone calls, and electronic/digital platforms fostered stronger business relationships between our staff and members.
Today, SBE remains New York State’s oldest and largest construction industry Association with approximately1,070 member firms. Never in the 153-year history of the Association has SBE had more members or more benefits and services.
Networking and Social Event
During the year, SBE provided the most networking and social events in the history of the Association, delivering:
- Multiple “meet and greets” in the Utica region
- Two sold-out golf tournaments (Syracuse and Utica)
- Clay Sport Shooting for Charity
- Meet the Generals
- Clambake
- Meet the MWBE/DBE/SDVO Contractors
- Cabin Fever (Utica)
- Two Construction Career Day events (Syracuse and Utica)
These events are vital to SBE’s membership as they strengthen professional relationships, foster collaboration, and create opportunities for members to share knowledge and best practices. These gatherings help connect contractors, suppliers, designers, and industry leaders, often leading to new business partnerships and project opportunities. They also build a sense of community within the industry, allowing members to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and celebrate achievements together. Ultimately, SBE’s networking and social events enhance the value of one’s membership by promoting growth, visibility, and long-term success for both individuals and companies.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As SBE celebrates this year’s successes, we remain focused on future opportunities and challenges. Our priorities include partnering and collaborating with industry partners to advance workforce development initiatives, embracing technology innovation and new industry standards in our education and safety programs, enhancing the functionality within the e-plan room by applying Artificial Intelligence features to deliver faster and more effective outcomes for our end-users, delivering quality social and networking events, promoting New York State’s only construction industry Multiple Employer Pension Plan (MEP) and continuing to be a strong advocate for SBE’s member employers and the industry.
SBE continues to have a meaningful impact on our contractors, their employees, and our regional community and industry partners. As we look forward to building on this momentum in 2026, we are reminded that the success of the Association is the result of our loyal, diverse, and dedicated member firms. On behalf of the SBE staff and Board of Directors, it has been a pleasure to service construction industry employers and their employees during the year.