Are you taking full advantage of your NSCA membership? Check out the most popular NSCA resources from the last year.
NSCA has one goal: to help integrators and manufacturers run their businesses better.
From data and research to tools and training, our resources help you lead a better business. NSCA is your business resource. Our team is here to answer your questions and find ways to conquer your toughest challenges. NSCA is your trusted advisor. Finally, everyone in our industry should have a voice. NSCA is your industry advocate.
We understand exactly what you face when trying to establish, maintain, and grow a thriving, profitable integration firm.
Here are 10 of last year’s most popular and most utilized NSCA resources.
1. XBO Experience
Dubbed an “un-conference,” the very first XBO (Excellence in Business Operations) Experience event in November 2024 was the industry’s gathering place for future integration firm leaders who see opportunities ahead—but need the right training and skills to succeed. Rising industry stars began to prepare for leadership positions, regardless of their job titles. We knew this event was going to be special when we started planning it, but the outcome was beyond what we expected. With more than 100 attendees and an outpouring of positive feedback, we’re already planning XBO 2025. And thanks to the Jeff M. Kindig Future Leaders Scholarship, some attendees were able to experience the event at no cost.
2. Compensation & Benefits Report
When we release this Compensation & Benefits Report, we brace ourselves for the incoming emails, texts, and calls from members who can’t wait to get their hands on it (we’re really not kidding). Updated every few years, leaders can use the report to pinpoint wage trends, identify potential compensation discrepancies, consider the costs of adding to their benefits package, and determine appropriate wage levels for employees.
3. Our New Website
Our website was a decade old—and many of you could tell. It’s challenging to organize all the online content we have in a way that’s easy to access:
- Countless documents, templates, spreadsheets, videos, how-to guides, and more in our Essentials Library
- A steady stream of industry-specific research and guidelines
- Instructional webinars focused on different business topics
- Vetted and trusted Business Accelerators and Member Advisory Councilmembers
- Events like the Business & Leadership Conference and XBO (Excellence in Business Operations) Experience
After all, what good are the valuable resources we offer if our members can’t find them? If you haven’t spent much time here, the new NSCA.org simplifies navigation, makes many more resources available on the homepage, and offers faster download capabilities for the hundreds of guides and documents we have available to members.
4. Guide to State Licensing
Updating this resource is a yearlong project that involves hundreds of staff and volunteer hours to identify the most up-to-date license and credential requirements for integrators. The Guide to State Licensing was revised within the last year to put the latest licensing requirements at integrators’ fingertips. It presents a comprehensive overview of the licensing requirements and state code for each U.S. state.
5. Legislative Updates
NSCA’s Codes and Compliance Committee meets regularly to tackle federal, state, and municipal regulations that have a major impact on how systems integrators perform their work. At any given time, we actively monitor hundreds of legislative bills on behalf of the commercial integration industry. Together, we monitor licenses and educate integrators on how to build the cost of licensure, registrations, and permits into their projects. Currently, NSCA is monitoring activity about apprenticeship programs, artificial intelligence, Power over Ethernet, licenses, permitting, and cybersecurity.
6. Business & Leadership Conference
The 2024 Business & Leadership Conference (BLC) sold out, and we created a wait list—so there were many integrators that wanted attend but couldn’t. We’re on pace to do the same thing with BLC 2025, and it’s no surprise. This event has taken on a life of its own. It’s the premier event for the systems integration industry, bringing together professionals to network, learn, and grow.
7. Integrate Trade Journal
NSCA’s trade journal, Integrate, has been going strong since 2020. When the publication launched, our goal was to spotlight challenges, solutions, and success stories within the NSCA community—and to make sure members are aware of the NSCA resources available to help their companies. Each year, Integrate amplifies NSCA’s business resources and shares insights about running successful businesses in the integration industry.
8. Financial Analysis of the Industry Report
Updated in late 2023 (and scheduled for another update in 2025), the Financial Analysis of the Industry is still used by hundreds of integrators annually to benchmark financial metrics, success measures, and best practices for financial oversight and organizational structure. In this most recent version, modifications were made to the report, including the addition of questions about remote workforces and project review, to ensure that the content continues to reflect evolving industry conditions.
9. Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS K-12)
PASS K-12 (the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) provides the most comprehensive information available on nationwide best practices for securing school facilities. It brings together expertise from the education, public safety, and technology industry communities to develop and support an appropriate and coordinated approach to making effective use of proven and vetted security practices specific to K-12 environments. The initiative relies on hundreds of hours from NSCA staff and volunteers.
10. One-on-One Member Conversations
We’re so honored that NSCA continues to be the organization you trust for insight and guidance on running your business. We fielded hundreds of calls over the past year, answering questions and offering advice and guidance. We value each and every conversation we have with our members.
As we move into 2025, NSCA will continue to bring you these valuable resources—and many more—to help you lead your business confidently and successfully. And remember: We’re always here whenever you have questions or need advice! We’re your voice, your resource, and your advisor.
