As we look back on IAPMO’s 99th year, I want to begin by expressing a sincere and heartfelt thank you.

No single message or report can fully do justice to the extraordinary work being done by our organization every day. From our Board of Directors to our exceptional staff, dedicated members, instructors, committee chairs, volunteers, sponsors, and global partners — you are what makes IAPMO truly special. Your passion and commitment to advancing plumbing standards, public health, and safety worldwide are the foundation of everything we achieve.

So before diving into the highlights of the past year, let me first say: thank you. IAPMO would not be the world-class organization it is today without each of you

Financial Strength and Stability
I’m proud to report that IAPMO continues to operate from a position of financial strength and long-term stability. In fact, the consistency might sound a bit “boring,” but that’s a good thing. Year after year, we remain strong, well-managed, and forward-looking.

• Reserves: Our reserves are healthy and growing — up 172% since 2019 and 44% from 2022. That equates to nearly six months of operating expenses in reserve, providing a solid cushion for whatever the future may bring.
• Revenue: We’re on pace to meet or exceed $94 million this year, potentially hitting $95–96 million. With our centennial anniversary next year, we’re setting our sights on a symbolic milestone: $100 million for 100 years.
• Budget & Expenses: We remain on track with our annual budget, with revenues holding steady and expenses slightly under projections.
• Workforce Growth: IAPMO now boasts 364 employees, representing 25 U.S. states and 14 countries. We continue to grow our team at a pace of 7–9% annually and have intentionally expanded our global presence to meet rising demand

Investing in the Future
We are not resting on our laurels. This year, we’ve made significant investments in infrastructure, equipment, and technology:

• Capital Expenditures: We’ve invested more than $3.5 million above last year’s spending, primarily in expanding and upgrading our laboratory infrastructure around the world.
• Global Labs: Our labs in India, Indonesia, China, and Australia are being upgraded with new equipment and expanded capacity. Our Ontario, California, headquarters are under- going a major renovation, dedicating our entire East Building to lab operations.
• Combatting Counterfeits: As product safety threats rise, particularly from counterfeit and uncertified imports, we’re doubling down on efforts to protect consumers. Our labs recently played a critical role in uncovering counterfeit plumbing products on Amazon, leading to congressional testimony by Moen, recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and national news coverage. We’ve launched a new public landing page with resources and tools to report product misuse and counterfeit marks, while collaborating directly with Amazon and U.S. Customs to identify and intercept unsafe products.

Expanding Our Global Footprint
IAPMO is growing on the world stage, with 12 offices around the globe, including a new office and laboratory in Mexico.

We’re proud to continue leading the industry through key global relationships:

• World Plumbing Council (WPC): I currently serve as chair, and IAPMO’s Chief Administrative Officer Gaby Davis serves as WPC secretariat.
• WHO Partnership: Through WPC, we serve as a vital conduit between the plumbing industry and the World Health Organization, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• APEC Engagement: We’ve convened key Asia-Pacific experts on standardization, product safety, and harmonization of regulations.
• CIB Involvement: Our technical team regularly contributes to this leading international forum on building research, sharing science-based insights from IAPMO’s work.
• New MOUs: We’ve expanded collaboration with ASPE (adding ASSE and ARCSA to our updated MoU), ASHRAE, and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) in the UK, uniting expertise across water reuse, sustainability, rainwater harvesting, and standards development.

Workforce Development and Training
IAPMO continues to lead the way in education and workforce development:

• More than 10,000 professionals trained this year alone through our world-class training programs.

We’ve introduced new learning tools, interactive features, and digital resources to further enhance the training experience. A remarkable example of individual passion sparking industry-wide change comes from Jean Claude Twagirimana, a young plumber in Rwanda who recognized the need for standardized codes, licensing, and training in his country. After receiving a UA-sponsored World Plumbing Council scholarship in 2017, Jean Claude attended the UA Instructor Training Program, where he connected with industry leaders who inspired him to found the Rwanda Plumbers Organization (RPO). With growing membership and government attention, the global plumbing community rallied behind him. IAPMO, IWSH, and the World Plumbing Council partnered with RPO to deliver training, upgrade a local school’s plumbing system, and launch the development of Rwanda’s first national plumbing code, based on the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code. This powerful collaboration shows how one passionate individual, supported by a committed industry, can drive transformative progress.

IWSH
I want to share a quick, big-picture story about IWSH. It started with just two people — Tommy Gugino and Jed Scheuermann — traveling to underserved communities in places like Haiti and Nepal to improve plumbing through small, hands-on projects. They didn’t seek recognition; it was simply about doing good.

What began as quiet, grassroots work has grown over the past 10 years into an internationally recognized charity. Today, IWSH is operating water and sanitation projects on five continents, helping communities that need it most. It’s been an incredible journey from two people equipped with skills and good intentions to an organization of global impact.

Highlights from this year include:

• Lowndes County, Alabama: Addressing failing septic systems in underserved communities.
• Support for Indigenous Communities: Delivering plumbing solutions in Canada, the U.S., and Australia.
• Youth Skills Showcases: Hosting training and service projects in partnership with major global trade events like ISH (Germany) and the UA Instructor Training Program (USA).

World Plumbing Day
March 11, World Plumbing Day, continues to grow in impact. This year’s campaign introduced a new theme, “Plumbing is More,” and a stunning new logo. The results were unprecedented:

• Worldwide Engagement: Record social media impacts, in-office events, media coverage, and even a shoutout from Ryan Seacrest on national radio!
• Global Celebrations: From a sausage sizzle in Australia to a World Plumbing Day cake in Houston, and a banner display on IAPMO HQ facing a major freeway, our movement is building real awareness of the essential role plumbers play.

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
Two major milestones are on the horizon for next year: World Plumbing Conference Birmingham, England

As Chair of the World Plumbing Council, I invite all of you to join us in Birmingham in June for the 2026 World Plumbing Conference. This global event will feature:

• Skills forums for young plumbers
• Hands-on community service projects
• High-level policy discussions
• International networking

IAPMO’s 100th Anniversary
Soon we’ll begin a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of IAPMO’s founding, culminating in a centennial party at our Annual Education and Business Conference next September in Universal City, in the heart of IAPMO’s birthplace of Los Angeles. This will be the largest and most significant event in our organization’s history. Please plan to be there — it’s your celebration as much as it is ours.

There are hundreds of thousands of professionals in our industry, but only the most committed take the extra step of joining an organization like IAPMO, striving to grow, to lead, and to make the world better. You are the reason we’ve grown for nearly 100 years, why our work matters, and why we are so respected the world over. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do.

Here’s to an even greater 2026.