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Unlock Your Leadership Potential

SIMA's Accelerate Program is an enhancement opportunity tailored to current and future Snow & Ice Management professionals.
Presented by SIMA and the SIMA Foundation and made possible through the generous sponsorship of BOSS Snowplow, the Accelerate program was designed to elevate leaders in the snow and ice industry. With a focus on developing leadership skills to grow your business and enhance personal development with our comprehensive training sessions, this program was tailored for the next generation of snow leaders. Get started by applying today! 
Deadline to Apply is April 18, 2025.
Apply Now

Made possible by generous support and sponsorship from 

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Program Overview

Accelerate has been built to serve new business owners, emerging leaders looking to grow their business, businesses looking to develop future leaders within their company, and family owned businesses looking to develop a future leader as a part of their succession plan. Deadline to Apply is April 18, 2025.

Eligibility & Criteria

Open to SIMA members, applicants must complete an application with questions related to their professional experience and what they hope to gain from the program. The program is ideal for new industry entrants or those with 3–10 years of experience. Multiple submissions are allowed per company but only one company representative will be selected. 

Key Benefits

Through comprehensive leadership training, participants will gain confidence, new insights, and valuable industry connections. While there is an application fee of $595 and travel and lodging is not included, participants will enjoy complimentary registrations to key events like the 2025 Leadership Forum, an in-person training, and the 2026 Snow & Ice Symposium.

Program Lineup

The Accelerate Program offers a series of focused sessions designed to enhance leadership capabilities and foster professional growth.

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Lead Yourself with Joe Keidinger

Engage in a private pre-conference training to enhance self-leadership skills at the 2025 Leadership Forum in Nashville, TN on August 24-26, 2025, followed by a virtual debrief on September 24, 2025.

Lead Others with April Johnson

Participate in an in-person workshop in April of 2026 and unlock the door to best practices on leading others, following by another virtual debrief in May of 2026.

Lead Initiatives with Justin Knitt

Finish the program with a private pre-conference training to enhance the ways in which you effectively lead initiatives at the 2026 Snow & Ice Symposium on June 23, 2026 in Cincinnati, OH. You will then be recognized as a part of the graduating class at the 2026 Awards Luncheon.

Leadership Training

Comprehensive Leadership Training

The Accelerate Program offers hands-on leadership training tailored to the snow and ice industry. With sessions focused on leading oneself, others, and strategic initiatives, participants will leave empowered and ready to make impactful changes in their organizations.

Expand your network

Expand Your Professional Network

Networking is a crucial component of the Accelerate Program. Participants will have ample opportunities to connect with industry peers and leaders, fostering relationships that can lead to collaborative opportunities and shared insights.

Professional Recognition

Achieve Professional Recognition

Graduates of the Accelerate Program will be celebrated at the 2026 Snow & Ice Symposium awards banquet, acknowledging their commitment to personal and professional growth and their contributions to the industry.

Apply to the program.

Start Your Leadership Journey Today

Deadline to Apply is April 18, 2025.

Apply Today

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SIMA Accelerate Program?

The Accelerate Program is a leadership development initiative aimed at equipping snow and ice industry leaders with essential skills to grow their business and personal capabilities. It is anticipated that participants will develop close bonds with one another as the class size will be limited to a maximum of 12 people.

Who can apply for the program?

The program is open to SIMA members, especially those new to the industry or with 3–10 years of professional experience. While there is no minimum or maximum age requirement, it is out hope that applicants will be either Millennials (1980-1996) or Gen Z (1997-2012), as this program is geared towards educating and engaging the next generation of snow leaders.

What costs are covered by the program?

Registration expenses for key events and training materials are covered, but participants are required to pay a $595 application fee to secure their spot and are responsible for transportation and lodging to the major events. If you apply and are not selected for the program, your application fee will be reimbursed. 

How many participants are selected from each company and how are participants selected?

Only one representative per company will be selected to ensure a diverse participant group with different work experience. A committee of judges consisting of 1 SIMA Board Member, 1 SIMA Foundation Board Member, 1 representative from the sponsoring organization, and 1 volunteer SIMA Member will be serve on the selection committee and review all applications. 

How are participants recognized?

"Graduates" of the Accelerate program will be recognized during the awards ceremony at the 2026 Snow & Ice Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio.