2003 in review: looking back, moving forward.

IT'S BEEN A REMARKABLE YEAR; A YEAR FULL OF significant advances that we are convinced will propel the Institute and the architectural openings industry into the future. The holiday season provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on the changes we've seen in 2003 and what the next year holds in store. Through the hard work of the many volunteers and industry leaders that make up the various DHI boards and committees, several new initiatives have been established and set into motion these past few months and will develop further in the year ahead.

The new DHI education format is perhaps the single most significant change in the organization in years. It is a massive undertaking that requires a great deal of effort from many comers of the industry; DHI staff, the Board of Governors, the Board of Certification and various subcommittees have logged many hours hammering out the details of the new format. Progress is on schedule; the basic structure of the system has been drawn, courses and exams are being developed and assessment and evaluation criteria are being refined. DHI leadership is excited about the opportunities the new system will provide to new industry talent and veterans alike. The flexibility offered by the system will help strengthen our position within the industry as the knowledge and expertise so critical to success will reach across a wider spectrum.

In conjunction with the new education format come two new DHI credentials: the Electrified Hardware Consultant (EHC) and the Architectural Openings Consultant (AOC). As more and more building systems become integrated, the need for expertise with electrified door hardware will increase. The EHC will provide that expertise for end users and serve the industry as liaison between security providers and project managers, architects and other principals. The overarching AOC credential will stand as the pinnacle of achievement within the DHI education system for those holding AHC, CDC and EHC credentials. Expanded course offerings that will lead to the EHC credential and an EHC preparatory exam are being developed and the first EHC exams will be administered in January 2005.

Other initiatives introduced in 2003 include the changes to the annual conference and exposition. The Presidential Action Committee on Expositions (PACE) was formed to study the annual conference and make recommendations for improvement to the Board of Governors. Several of the committee's recommendations were implemented at the Tampa conference in September. These include the expanded industry marketplace, which opened each day of the show, conference facilities were made available on the exhibitor floor, and the Forum for the Future was held as an evening event. Response to all of these features of the conference was positive. Turnout for the industry marketplace sessions, as well as the Forum, was extraordinary, and exhibitors and attendees benefited from the quality time these features afforded them to strengthen old relationships and create new ones. The 2004 Annual Conference and Exposition in San Antonio (October 28-31) will include these features as well as new efforts to strengthen the industry's premier event, including an industry wide entertainment/networking event.

What will 2004 bring? The major new project for next year will be the proposed annual door inspection concept. The concept is similar to that which exists for overhead doors, elevators and fire extinguishers and would involve a periodic permit inspection requirement for doorways. Such a requirement would help ensure safe and secure openings. The strategy for enforcing such a program would be to certify our distributors and to enable them to reissue proper permits to doorways that meet the codes. DHI is working with BHMA, Underwriters Laboratories and the insurance industry to determine the best strategy and viability of the concept. Doors and Hardware will provide periodic updates on the progress of this initiative throughout the year.

Next year marks the 507H anniversary of DHI education, and as we move deeper into the second half of our first full century the new format and the new DHI credentials will come to fruition by year's end. Technical courses in the modular format are scheduled for next October in San Antonio.

We've come a long way in fifty years and have made great strides in the past twelve months. We look forward to building on these accomplishments in 2004.