Reading for the Future: Your Community Outreach Program with the Air Came to a Stop

The skilled trades are facing a serious workforce shortage—and the solution starts earlier than most people think. ACCA is meeting this moment by helping change the narrative around what a successful career looks like, starting with inspiring kids to explore the trades at a young age. The Air Came to a Stop is one of the key tools making that possible.

Join ACCA for a practical, action-oriented webinar on how HVAC contractors can use The Air Came to a Stop for community outreach—and make the most of National Skilled Trades Day on May 6. If you manage marketing, community relations, or outreach for your contracting business, this session will give you the resources and confidence to bring a reading to life in your community.

What You’ll Learn:

Why early outreach matters - and how connecting with kids today helps build the workforce pipeline of tomorrow
How ACCA's skilled trades initiative is shifting perceptions and championing the trades at the local level
What to expect during a classroom or community visit, including how to talk to kids about careers in HVAC in a fun, age-appropriate way
How to use ACCA's reading toolkit - including the book, coloring pages, and giveaways - to create an engaging, memorable experience
How ACCA can support you in scheduling a reading tied to National Skilled Trades Day on May 6

Who Should Attend:

This FREE webinar is designed for anyone overseeing marketing, community outreach, or public relations for a contracting business—whether you’re a business owner wearing multiple hats or a marketing professional looking for meaningful, ready-to-use ways to engage your community.

Barton James
ACCA President and CEO
Barton James is President and CEO of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), representing 50,000 of HVACR contractors across the country. He brings decades of policy and advocacy experience spanning Capitol Hill, the Bush Administration at the USDA and SBA, and senior roles at Ducks Unlimited, the Land Trust Alliance, and the National Mitigation Banking Association. Since joining ACCA in 2016 and becoming CEO in 2019, James has led the association's work on workforce development, refrigerant transition, A2L safety, and regulatory policy.

Ryan Kiscaden
Author of Next Up Trades
Ryan Kiscaden is an award-winning author, an HVACR and plumbing marketer, and is employed by a major plumbing manufacturer. Kiscaden holds a BA in business administration and an MBA from Elizabethtown College. He lives outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with his wife and two young sons. His experiences include working for an HVACR and plumbing wholesaler, running a non-profit focused on recycling thermostats and major plumbing equipment and plumbing category manufacturers.

From the front office to the field, ACCA offers expert-led trainings, events, and webinars designed to strengthen every part of your business. Whether your team needs sharper sales skills, technical expertise, or leadership development, ACCA’s programs help your people grow and your company thrive.

Check out ACCA's other webinars, trainings, conferences, and other events at acca.org/events.

ACCA logo 500x500-2-1-1 ACCA is the only nationwide, non-profit association for professionals that install and maintain HVACR, indoor environment, and building performance systems.

We provide our members from the indoor environment and energy services community with networking opportunities, education, and advocacy services that support their business development interests while championing the national health of the HVACR industry.

Learn more and join at acca.org.

Reading for the Future: Your Community Outreach Program with ACCA's Air Came to a Stop

Register for the free webinar