WINDOWS Magazine Summer 2016 | Page 30

n s sa NATIONAL SECURITY SCREEN ASSOCIATION RELAUNCH T he security screen industry is a complex and dynamic industry, characterised by a diverse stakeholder base, federal, state and local government legislation, licencing and standards. GARY SMITH Marketing & Communications Manager Australian Window Association & National Security Screen Association The National Security Screen Association (NSSA) Queensland has been the only active chapter of the NSSA for many years and has recently begun the process of driving change nationally. In February 2016, the AWA expanded its secretariat to include the NSSAQ and accepted the task of rebuilding the NSSA to a national level. Responding to concerns and frustrations voiced by industry members, the NSSA has affiliated itself with the AWA to create a fully functioning, member driven national industry body. This forms part of a wider fenestration related group of associations coming PROUD SEED FUNDERS 28 Australian Window Association together to realise reduced running costs, improved services to all members and a wider advocacy voice with standards, codes and governments. The charter for NSSA is to advocate on behalf of its members, to set industry standards and drive greater collaboration and cohesion between the industry and suppliers through training, education and awareness nationally. The new look NSSA was launched at AusFenEx16 in August 2016, on the Gold Coast. A crucial step in the NSSA relaunch was the establishment of foundation seed funding to ensure the Association’s future development and growth. The Association has been backed by all the major players in the security screen industry who have injected seed funding to ensure this success. Together, the seed