Certass TA has won the Best Member Engagement Award at the Trade Association Forum (TAF) Best Practice Awards.

Now in its 19th year, the awards are supported by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The event recognises excellence, innovation and best practice amongst trade associations in a range of sectors in the UK.

Danelle Vanstone, head of member services, said: “Historically, associations in the glazing sector have been funded by and focussed on large national installation business and manufacturers. Certass Trade Association set out to change that, to give local installers real, practical support that is easy to access and give them a platform where they can share their views, concerns and get up-to-date advice and information from those in the know.

“The Certass TA members-only Facebook forum has driven this throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond and it remains a lively platform where installers can get fast answers to technical queries and business support from myself and Jon Vanstone, our chair.”

Emily Wallace, interim chief executive, Trade Association Forum, said: “The judges were impressed by the scale and success of Certass’s membership engagement during the pandemic. Certass launched its Facebook forum, and within 48 hours of launch, there were 150 plus members – by the end of March 2020 they had 400. Today it remains a lively, engaging community with 850 members who regularly attend Certass Facebook Live events, ask questions of other members and engage with the team.”

Danelle added: “With the impact that the up-and-coming Building Regulation changes will have on our industry, our forum is the best place for installers to get their questions answered, through posts, comments and our regular Facebook Live sessions.”