HOUSTON – Leaders from NACE International and The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) recently met to further discuss options and approaches to combining the organizations. Deemed a success by NACE International President Terry Greenfield and SSPC President Garry Manous, the meeting led to multiple positive outcomes.

Prior to discussions, NACE and SSPC hosted an association CEO who has experience completing mergers. He shared useful lessons learned and advice, which helped set a productive tone for the meeting. The organizations also teleconferenced with a program manager who is being considered as a facilitator for conversations with members and other stakeholders to gather feedback and input to ensure all perspectives are considered and to accelerate the decision-making process.

During the meeting, the participants from NACE and SSPC worked together to create a timeline for moving forward with the goal of having a membership vote by the second quarter of 2020. In the meantime, both organizations will provide informational webinars and small-group information sessions prior to the vote to enable members to have a thorough understanding of what is involved in any cooperative relationship between the two organizations.

Team members also discussed potential governance models and transition plans. Representatives from both organizations left the meeting optimistic and agreed to continuing regularly scheduled phone calls and a second face-to-face meeting later this summer. Manous and Greenfield agreed that they are most excited by the way the integration team is working together and prioritizing doing what is right for the industries and members served by NACE and SSPC.

While both organizations report that their major stakeholders have provided positive feedback thus far, they are committed to seeking as much input as possible. Individuals are asked to provide comments to cooperation@nace.org and news@sspc.org.