NDA president James Milburn plans for future with membership drive

Steve Ducker Desk Editor, Off Highway Research

03 May 2023

The president of the US National Demolition Association (NDA) says it feels it is “not adequately representing” the industry unless it can significantly increase membership levels.

James Milburn, president, National Demolition Association

NDA president James Milburn speaking at Demolition Phoenix. (Photo: NDA)

James Milburn, who became president at the NDA’s Demolition Phoenix event earlier this year and is now two months into a two-year term, was speaking to the association’s Demolition Now podcast.

And central to his thoughts is a strategic plan that includes doubling NDA membership from its current level of around 500 by 2026.

“The biggest agenda in the next two years is obviously membership growth,” said James.

“We are doing this for a few reasons, but the biggest one is that we don’t feel we are adequately representing our industry. We feel like there are a lot of people who do what we do on a daily basis, but aren’t members, and we are trying to figure out why and to attract them into the industry.”

One recent development in this area has been setting up regional chapters of the NDA: “Demolition is largely localised and we are hoping that the chapters that form are able to grasp a lot more of local needs and attract local members,” said James.

“They can then be regional members as well.”

The NDA has also revamped its programme of quarterly meetings to make them more accessible to a wider audience.

Previously, they were branded as leadership forums, but will now be known as members’ meetings. The next one takes place on 9 and 10 June in Santa Fe, New Mexico, while the autumn meeting will be held in Toronto, Canada, directly after the World Demolition Summit which starts on 17 October.

James Milburn: “We want to make sure everybody understands that the quarterly meetings that move around the country are open and attendance is encouraged for all members.

“There is a lot of value at these meetings in terms of one-on-one time with individuals, and there is always an educational session. Frankly, I believe the most value that I get out of the association comes from these quarterly interactions.”

For more details of NDA memberships, please visit the association website at www.demolitionassociation.com