April 2026 | Volume 17, Issue 2

Special Edition - 2026 EIMA Annual Meeting Recap

Highlights from the 2026 EIMA Annual Meeting

The 2026 EIMA Annual Meeting, held March 25-27 in Washington, DC, was a resounding success. From the first-ever Legislative Fly-In to an exceptional lineup of speakers, the event delivered meaningful insights, impactful advocacy, and forward-looking industry dialogue.

Attendees connected through outstanding networking opportunities—including a memorable dinner cruise on the Potomac River—and celebrated excellence at the ever-popular EIFS Excellence Awards Ceremony. The energy, engagement, and camaraderie of the entire experience were captured in a vibrant collection of photos that bring the event to life.

Explore the photo gallery in the link below to relive the highlights and see the moments that made this year’s meeting unforgettable.

EIFS Industry Takes Capitol Hill: EIMA Members Champion Industry Impact in Inaugural Hill Day

EIMA hosted its first-ever EIFS Industry Hill Day, bringing members to Capitol Hill to advocate for the role of EIFS in addressing key challenges in the built environment. In meetings with 15 congressional offices, participants highlighted how EIFS supports housing affordability, energy efficiency, and economic growth—offering a cost-effective cladding solution, enabling compliance with energy codes, and contributing to jobs across the industry value chain.

The effort showcased real-world project examples and emphasized the strength and reach of the EIFS industry nationwide. EIMA extends its sincere thanks to the 25 participating members whose engagement and advocacy made this inaugural Hill Day a strong success and an important step in elevating EIFS with policymakers.

HUD Leadership Highlights EIFS Role in Housing Affordability at EIMA Annual Meeting

EIMA was honored to welcome the Hon. Ben Hobbs, Assistant Secretary of Public and Indian Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as the Administration Keynote Speaker during its Annual Meeting and inaugural legislative fly-in in Washington, DC.


Addressing attendees, Hobbs emphasized the critical role the EIFS industry plays in reducing construction costs and expanding the supply of affordable housing.

He also shared insights into current federal efforts to address housing affordability, including recent executive actions aimed at lowering costs for American families. His remarks reinforced the importance of collaboration between industry and government and highlighted the opportunity for EIFS to be part of the solution to today’s most pressing housing challenges.

For a deeper look at the keynote address, read a full recap in Walls & Ceilings Magazine.

Capitol Hill Perspective: Congressional Keynote Highlights EIFS Industry Impact

EIMA was pleased to welcome Annie Brody, Director of Business Operations for Majority Whip Tom Emmer, as the Congressional Keynote Speaker at its recent Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. As the first time EIMA members heard directly from a Capitol Hill representative in this setting, her remarks provided valuable insight into the policy landscape impacting the built environment.



Brody highlighted the important role industries like EIFS play in advancing building performance, cost-effective construction, and quality outcomes. With housing affordability, energy efficiency, and workforce challenges top of mind, EIMA looks forward to continued engagement with policymakers to position EIFS as a solution to these critical issues.

For a deeper look at the keynote address, read a full recap in Walls & Ceilings Magazine.

Winners of EIFS Excellence Awards Unveiled

The distinguished winners of the 2025 EIFS Excellence Awards were recognized on March 26 during the Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Now in its eighth year, the program honored 16 exceptional projects that reflect the innovation, craftsmanship, and technical excellence of EIMA members. This year’s winners demonstrate how EIFS continues to evolve—delivering high-performance building envelopes while enabling increasingly sophisticated architectural design.

EIMA congratulates all winners and extends its appreciation to the architects, designers, contractors, and manufacturers who continue to advance EIFS innovation. 

EIMA Working Groups Elevated by Washington, D.C.–Based Thought Leaders at 2026 Annual Meeting

At the 2026 EIMA Annual Meeting, EIMA Working Groups took on a new level of depth and relevance thanks to a strategic addition to the program: a lineup of Washington, D.C.–based speakers embedded directly into each Working Group session. This year marked the first time that every Working Group featured an external expert, bringing fresh perspectives from across the policy, research, and building industry landscape.

By integrating these voices into smaller, focused discussions, EIMA created a more dynamic and informed environment—one where members could engage directly with subject matter experts and connect national trends to the practical realities of the EIFS industry.

Bringing Market Intelligence to the Promotion Working Group

The Promotion Working Group welcomed Michele A. Russo, Vice President of Research at the American Institute of Architects (AIA), who presented “Reaching the Architect: Strategies for Building Product Manufacturers.”

Russo shared actionable strategies for how building product manufacturers can better connect with architects—drawing on market intelligence, industry trends, and insights into how design professionals evaluate and specify products. Her perspective offered EIMA members a clearer understanding of how to position EIFS within the architectural decision-making process and strengthen engagement with the design community.

Policy and Performance Take Center Stage in Advocacy

In the Advocacy: Technical and Research Working Group, Amy Schmidt, CEO & President of Nest Solutions and Executive Director of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition, delivered a compelling session on “Unleashing Energy Dominance with Building Envelopes.”

Schmidt explored how high-performance building envelopes play a pivotal role in achieving energy efficiency goals while supporting broader economic and policy priorities. She highlighted how evolving codes, federal initiatives, and market demand are converging to elevate the importance of envelope performance—positioning EIFS as a critical solution for optimizing thermal efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and supporting long-term building resilience.

Advancing Transparency in the EIFS EPD Working Group

Environmental transparency and lifecycle analysis were front and center in the EIFS EPD Working Group, which featured two expert presentations.

Anna Lasso, Founder and CEO of Smart EPD, provided a progress update on the North American EIFS PCR, LCA, and EPD initiative—an important step forward in quantifying and communicating the environmental performance of EIFS systems.

Debbie Steckel of the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment presented “Advancing Environmental Transparency: The PCR Open Standard.” Her insights reinforced the importance of standardized, credible environmental reporting as sustainability continues to shape material selection and specification.

Workforce Insights from Capitol Hill

Rounding out the Working Group sessions, the Education and Workforce Development Working Group hosted Isabel Soto, Professional Staff Member with the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Her presentation, “Federal Policy Insights: Workforce Development and Education Initiatives Impacting the Building Industry,” provided attendees with a timely overview of federal priorities and programs influencing workforce training, labor availability, and education pathways—critical issues for the future of the EIFS industry.

A More Connected, Informed EIMA

By bringing D.C.-based experts directly into Working Group discussions, EIMA created a unique opportunity for members to engage with the forces shaping the industry—from economic indicators and building codes to sustainability standards and workforce policy.

This enhanced format not only strengthened the value of the Working Groups but also reinforced EIMA’s role as a connector between industry practice and the broader policy and research ecosystem.

As EIMA continues to evolve its programming, the success of this year’s Working Group sessions underscores the importance of informed dialogue—and the power of bringing the right voices to the table.

Executive Director’s Report: Positioning EIFS for Growth in a $2 Trillion Market

Stephen Sears delivered a forward-looking report on the state of the EIFS industry—highlighting strong market momentum and significant opportunities ahead.

Sears noted that the U.S. construction market has surpassed $2 trillion in total spending, creating a robust environment for EIFS growth. With industry conditions continuing to strengthen post-pandemic, EIFS is well-positioned to expand its footprint across multiple sectors.

A primary area of focus moving forward is the residential market. Representing approximately 25 percent of total U.S. construction spending, this segment remains a key opportunity for increased EIFS adoption. Expanding presence in residential construction will be critical to unlocking the industry’s full potential.



The Executive Director’s report underscored a clear path forward: leverage favorable market conditions, grow market share in strategic segments, and align industry efforts to drive continued momentum and long-term success.