Through collaboration and the exchange of expertise, one organization supports companies across the energy, manufacturing, refining, chemical and transportation sectors in achieving excellence.
The Industry Business Roundtable® (IBR), established on July 19, 1973, promotes the interests of its member and subscriber companies — primarily asset owners and their contractors. As a 501(c)(6) non-profit association, IBR exists to keep its members informed on industry trends, emerging technologies and proven strategies, while fostering partnerships that drive progress across the industry.
IBR unites owners and contractors to strengthen safety, enhance performance and develop the workforce through shared knowledge and collective action. IBR actively brings industry peers together to address key issues, develop impactful programs and share strategies that support economic growth while reducing risk. Our mission is to share innovation and best practices that positively transform the industry and communities where we work. Our vision is to be the association that collectively adds value to the industry.
Celebrating safety excellence
IBR has remained at the forefront of promoting safety excellence across the industry. Each year, through the Safety Excellence Awards (SEA), we proudly recognize top safety and health performers among contractors and subcontractors throughout the Texas Gulf Coast region. IBR's commitment extends beyond simply awarding excellence. The true essence of the award process lies in fostering a collaborative learning environment. Participants gain valuable insights by observing other programs and exchanging their best practices. This environment of collective growth is made possible by the IBR Safety and Health Resource Committee, which thoughtfully develops and sustains the SEA program in partnership with the Health and Safety Council (HASC®).
We take great pride in the unmatched rigor and integrity of the SEA process — an industry-leading model for recognizing safety excellence. Each year, SEA Teams identify the top-performing contractors and subcontractors from a competitive pool of nominees. Nominations for this process opened on October 1, 2025, and will close on January 9, 2026. The finalists will be announced at the HASC Tailgate on February 6, 2026. Don't miss the opportunity to show who is the best of the best!
Raising the bar for safety performance
Led by team leaders from our safety and health committee and comprised of asset owners along with member and contractor company representatives, peer audit teams conduct detailed evaluations of finalist submissions. This collaborative process ensures that only the highest-performing companies rise to the top for recognition.
We celebrate the achievement of outstanding organizations each May at the SEA Banquet, a premier industry event that honors the companies setting the standard for safety. There is no other recognition program or networking event in our industry with the depth, peer involvement and credibility of the SEA process.
Any asset owner or contractor that works with a contractor or subcontractor is eligible to submit nominations. Nominees compete in categories such as General Contractors, Specialty Contractors (Hard Crafts, Soft Crafts, Environmental and Technical Support), and Crane and Rigging Support. The process involves an initial evaluation to determine finalist eligibility, followed by a final field audit. The previous year's "Best in Class" winners serve as mentors to assist current finalists. Awards are presented at various levels, including Gold, Silver and Bronze, with only one company earning "Best in Class" recognition per category.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to raising the bar for safety performance and recognizing those who lead with integrity, innovation and accountability. The SEA program is not just about honoring excellence — it's about building a safer, stronger industry together. We thank all who contribute to this effort and look forward to building on this momentum as we drive safety performance and industry collaboration to even greater heights.
For more information, visit ibrt.us.
