TACCA Update - A Year Later

It’s almost surreal to think that a year ago we were preparing to shut down the TACCA office and work from home. I recall the initial fear and concern about this new virus, COVID-19, and how worried I was about my family, as I know we all were. It still makes my shoulders tense remembering the daily, sometimes hourly updates from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and other organizations as we braced for this unknown enemy.

From the onset when it was unclear whether HVAC/R businesses were supposed to be shut down, TACCA fought for HVAC/R to be considered essential business statewide, and we did our best to keep members informed about constantly evolving regulations. There was an immediate run on this "new" stuff called PPE, and hand sanitizer, gloves, and face masks became necessary workplace tools.

At the TACCA office, an entire department came to a halt as shelter-in-place orders around the state meant cancelling all continuing education and exam prep classes. We postponed our annual conference a year and increased focus on communication with our members. We were saddened to hear from some businesses that were hurting and then happy for others that were busier than they’d ever been.

Through all the chaos, we learned that we could be productive from wherever we were – home, work, the backyard, even the side of the road. We found that virtual meetings may not be as fun as being in person but are possible and can save time and money by eliminating travel. And most of all, we discovered that being able to adapt to changes, new ideas, and new processes was critical for moving forward.

And here we are a year later, with vaccines ready for some of us, and a loosening of restrictions giving us a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. In many ways, it's been a long, hectic, and somewhat exhausting year, not ot mention getting hit with a once-in-a-lifetime winter storm last month! I don’t know how everyone else feels, but I am ready for a summer full of family and fun and all the things we missed this past year.

May the road rise up to meet you!