Symposium Scholarship opens doors

SIMA is proud to continue to offer the Alan Steiman Symposium Scholarship to deserving snow and ice contractors each year, allowing people to attend the Symposium who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.

By Elly Kobach
SIMA’s Annual Snow & Ice Symposium is a great way to meet new people and talk snow and ice with contractors from all over the US and Canada. Many have said that the knowledge they gain at the Symposium is invaluable, not just from the formal education, but from all the networking that goes on behind the scenes. While many agree that it is a great experience, it is reality that some people aren’t able to attend because of cost reasons, whether they are just starting their business or didn’t have a profitable winter. 

SIMA is proud to continue to offer the Alan Steiman Symposium Scholarship to deserving snow and ice contractors each year, allowing people to attend the Symposium who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. The scholarship, created in 2010 in memory of longtime SIMA member, mentor, and friend Alan Steiman, awards the winner full Symposium registration, access to all ticketed events, and a $1000 travel stipend. SIMA has awarded four scholarships to date, to some great contractors with great stories. A few quotes from their applications show the meaning behind this scholarship:

• “The fact that so many members are so willing to help each other out; sharing advice, efficiencies, and lessons learned…the SIMA Symposium would be awesome to attend. I think I could learn so many things from the seasoned professionals to help build my business, both as a challenge to myself and to benefit my community by offering them the best possible services and practices in the industry.” – Steve Koep of Fargo Snow, 2011 recipient
• “I love learning, and going to the snow and ice symposium is full of learning opportunity. The amount of education and information sharing that goes on seems unlikely to occur anywhere else. Being young, I am trying to take every opportunity I have to further my knowledge, and be on the leading edge in snow and ice management services.” – Shawn Rine, CSP of Rine Landscape Group, 2012 recipient

The scholarship program continues to help individuals in snow and ice learn and grow, and is a fitting tribute to Alan, who was a great industry mentor and educator to many. 

SIMA is accepting applications for this year’s Alan Steiman Scholarship through April 12, 2013. Applicants must be current SIMA members and have never attended a Symposium in the past. Visit www.sima.org/awards for more information and to apply.