Peer Groups

ABC Western Pennsylvania Chapter

ABC’s peer groups offer like-minded business owners an environment conducive to sharing ideas and discussing business opportunities and challenges–all with the goal of improving their businesses.

Peer Groups bring together 6–10 member companies within the same trade or closely related industries, each with comparable annual revenues. To ensure open, honest dialogue, group members are intentionally selected from non-competing markets—creating a trusted environment where contractors can speak freely, share insights, and learn from one another.

These groups function as a confidential, executive-level forum designed to help leaders step outside the day-to-day and gain perspective from peers who understand the realities of running a contracting business.

Peer Group Benefits

A trusted forum for executives to openly discuss key business challenges and opportunities
Direct access to real-world insights from contractors who have faced similar operational issues
A sounding board for new ideas, strategies, and business decisions
A strong peer network built on the merit shop philosophy
A confidential advisory-style environment for problem-solving and strategic thinking
Candid conversations around productivity, cost control, efficiency, and long-term growth

Peer Group members are senior-level decision makers—typically owners, shareholders, or executives of active ABC member companies.

To ensure trust and openness, all participants are required to sign a mutual confidentiality agreement. This protects the sensitive business information shared within the group and reinforces a safe, professional environment for discussion. A sample agreement can be provided by ABC National if needed.

For maximum engagement and value, face-to-face meetings are strongly encouraged. In-person interaction helps build stronger relationships and deeper, more meaningful conversations among members.

Participation in a Peer Group requires both time and financial commitment. Members are expected to attend meetings regularly, including traveling to host company offices and other designated meeting locations. Associated travel and meeting costs are typically shared among member companies.

Above all, participants are expected to be transparent, honest, and open when sharing business information. This level of trust is what allows the group to deliver meaningful insight, accountability, and collective growth.

Peer Groups are one of the most valuable benefits of ABC membership. To support their success, ABC National provides a wide range of tools, services, and infrastructure designed to help each group operate efficiently, stay connected, and get the most out of every meeting.

Resources Available to Peer Groups

Annual Peer Group Conference designed for learning, networking, and best practice sharing
Access to a vetted list of experienced facilitators skilled in leading peer group discussions
Curated list of qualified speakers available for peer group meetings
Support with financial benchmarking and data analysis to help members compare performance
Assistance with filling group vacancies in a timely and efficient manner
Dedicated conference call lines for peer group meetings
Dedicated GoToMeeting platform access for virtual sessions
Private LinkedIn group exclusively for peer group members
Online toolkit with templates, agendas, and meeting resources
Membership directory with contact information for all peer group participants
Complimentary meeting space at ABC National events and the National office
Coordination support for hotel accommodations and lodging when needed

Additional resources and tools are available in the Peer Group Member-Only section.

For access or questions, contact: peergroups@abc.org

To ensure the integrity and value of each group, members must meet the following criteria:
- Be an owner, shareholder, or executive of an active ABC member company
- Complete an initiation fee of $250 to join an existing group or help establish a new one
- Pay an annual participation fee of $250 per member, plus any associated travel and meeting expenses
- Sign a confidentiality agreement confirming that all group discussions remain strictly confidential
- Commit to participating in both in-person meetings and conference calls
- Maintain consistent attendance; members who frequently miss meetings may be considered inactive and removed from the group
Member Commitment

Peer Groups require a meaningful commitment of both time and resources. Members may be asked to host meetings, travel to other member locations, and actively contribute to discussions with openness and transparency. These shared efforts are essential to building trust and maximizing the value of the group.

All travel and meeting-related costs are the responsibility of participating members. ABC National may provide meeting space during national events when available.

Get Started

Ready to join? Complete the online profile form to be considered for a Peer Group placement.

For questions, contact: peergroups@abc.org