Investing in the Next Generation Through Scholarships  

The future of the home performance industry depends on bringing new people into the field and giving them the opportunity to learn.  

For young professionals and first-time attendees, Building Performance Association (BPA) conferences can be transformative. Our conferences provide access to education, networking, and partnerships that could change the course of someone’s career.  

But for many people just starting out, the cost of attending a conference can be a challenge. This is where scholarships make a big difference. 

The Mike Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund allows us to offer scholarships for BPA events and provide free access to our national and regional conferences for those in financial need. To date, we’ve awarded over $117,000 in scholarships to more than 215 recipients. 

But more than covering the cost of registration, these scholarships are an investment in the people who will carry the home performance industry forward. Let’s hear from a few of them. 

Kristopher Iwans: The New Energy Auditor  

For Kristopher Iwans, an Energy Auditor with Community Concepts, receiving a scholarship came at a pivotal moment. He had recently transitioned into the energy auditing field when he received the news that he had been selected for a scholarship to attend the 2026 National Home Performance Conference in Ohio. 

“I knew the second I read that email, it was all meant to be,” Iwans said. 

As a first-time attendee, Iwans arrived with a foundation built through his studies, but little experience with the broader industry. The conference quickly expanded his perspective. 

“Upon entering my first conference, the only things that I knew about my new career path is what I learned through my studies,” he said. “But after leaving the conference my mind was saturated with so much insight and knowledge that I came home with a thirst to learn more and become a better energy auditor.” 

That thirst for continued learning is exactly what scholarship opportunities can help cultivate. By putting new professionals in the same rooms as experienced practitioners and industry leaders, scholarships create opportunities for knowledge to move from one generation to the next. 

Iwans also emphasized that the value of the conference was made possible by a community willing to invest in others. 

“I want to thank everyone that donated to the scholarship funds, to all the staff that made this conference possible, and especially a big thank you for all the speakers who took the time to share their insight and knowledge with their peers.” 

Pierre: The New Business Owner  

For Pierre, a Canadian entrepreneur who was seven months into running a new insulation company, the scholarship made attending the 2026 National Home Performance Conference possible. 

“The conference was one of the most valuable experiences I have had in this industry,” he said. “Learning from some of the best in home performance gave me insights and relationships I will carry with me as I grow my business.” 

His experience illustrates another important benefit of scholarships: they don’t simply support individuals in the moment. They help strengthen the businesses that will shape the industry in the years ahead. 

Grady Benedict: The Student 

For Grady Benedict of Aztec Home Energy Services, a scholarship to the 2025 National Home Performance Conference in New Orleans removed a financial barrier. “I am a student and wouldn’t have been able to afford or justify the expense. It was really cool to make it happen through this scholarship,” he said. 

At the conference, Benedict found value in both the sessions and in the conversations he had during networking events. “It’s been so cool to see how many people started off. Everyone here is so knowledgeable about the fields they are in. I really appreciate talking to the veterans that know the science behind the work.” 

Those connections are one of the most powerful aspects of bringing new professionals together. A first-time attendee may arrive looking for technical knowledge, but they can leave with mentors, peers, ideas, and a clearer vision of what their career in this industry can become. 

Giving Newcomers a Home  

When a young professional or first-time attendee can participate in a BPA conference, they gain exposure to new technologies and approaches, learn from people who have spent years in the field, and build relationships with peers who may become future collaborators.  

They also become part of a larger professional community. A newcomer to the industry, a new business owner, and an upcoming professional all got a chance to see how welcoming this industry can be. They gained insight, inspiration, and were given a chance they wouldn’t have had otherwise.  

Get Involved 

Do you remember your first industry conference and what it meant for you? 

For those looking to help make these experiences possible for the next generation, this is the last week we’re accepting scholarship applications for our upcoming Alaska Home Performance Conference & Trade Show. Send this application link to people who you know who could use help getting started in this industry. And, if you’d like to donate to our scholarship fund, you can do that year-round here. 

Supporting scholarships means opening the door for people who are ready to build their future in home performance. Let’s show them we’re here to help.