The Business Forum was formed in 1994 as a venue for the principals and key employees of member firms to share ideas and interact on professional and business problems common to the practice of structural engineering. Different from other SEAONC committees, the Forum is financially self-sustaining through dues paid by member firms, which currently total about 45 structural engineering practices. All SEAONC members may attend the Forum's monthly luncheon meeting which features a speaker or panel discussing business, management, legal, or marketing topics.

The Business Forum conducts at least one evening seminar series annually to discuss certain topics of interest to its members in greater detail.

Finally, the Forum conducts a salary and benefits survey in the spring of each year to be presented at the May luncheon meeting and mailed to all member firms by early summer. This survey is available for a nominal fee to any SEAONC member through the SEAONC office.

1. Provide a forum for exchange of ideas and interaction between structural engineers on issues relating to the business of structural engineering.
2. Hold monthly general meetings that feature speakers on topics that are of interest to the membership and worthwhile for the practice.
3. Conduct evening seminars/workshops for in-depth presentation of highlighted topics.
   
4. Maintain contact and exchange of information with other related professional business associations.
5. Keep membership up-to-date on legislative or policy issues that are critical to the business and take leadership role as authorized by the SEAONC board.
6. Conduct surveys gathering information on business related subjects that are useful to the membership.
7. Continue to provide employee loan referrals through SEAONC office as a service to forum members.
8. Topics for monthly meetings and seminars/workshops are selected based on membership feedback obtained from the forum's questionnaire and are refined through the meetings. This function is coordinated by the program subcommittee. Meetings are expected to be held the 2nd Wednesday of each month (starting in September). Location of the meetings typically alternate: two in San Francisco/ one in Oakland.
9. Forum dues are $150.00 for firms 6 employees or more; $75.00 for 5 employees or less. Dues notices are issued in June.
   
10. Bi-monthly seminars: Creation of a series of seminars on public relations or similar topics.