The 2024 AEC Best Practices Conference Provided a Platform for Sharing Strategies & Enhancing Affiliation Effectiveness

The MCAA AEC Best Practices Conference, held from July 28-31, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Washington DC, provided a valuable platform for association executives in the mechanical construction, plumbing, and service industries to share strategies and enhance their affiliations’ effectiveness for their members.

Key highlights included:

1. Peer Learning and Networking: After having an ELI (Executive Leadership Initiative) Committee meeting, the conference began. The conference emphasized peer-to-peer learning, allowing attendees to share best practices and build connections, setting a collaborative tone for the upcoming days.
2. Contract and Mini Conference Planning Session: Joshua Grimes, an outside industry contracting professional, highlighted the do’s and don’ts of contracting, followed by a panel featuring MCAA’s own industry experts, led by current Program Chair, John Rayburn.
3. Government Affairs and Industry Updates: Chuck Daniel, Jim Gaffney and Chris Granberg provided updates on key issues affecting the industry politically, while UA General President Mark McManus and UA Assistant General President Mike Pleasant highlighted initiatives like the TAUC Local Employer Organizations (LEO) Program (led by Mike Dorsey) and provided UA updates.
4. Educational Sessions: The conference featured a variety of sessions aimed at developing skills and knowledge, including updates on MCAA resources and tools, as well as intimate meetings with all of the National MCAA Directors during an afternoon of roundtables.

(Left to right) Glenn Rex, John Rayburn, Valerie Pope, Stephen Affanato, and Lesley Ravas

After a great networking dinner with all National MCAA Staff, the conference concluded with an AEC Business Meeting, where future leadership, initiatives and action items were discussed. The AEC Community, acknowledged the hard work of the current Chair, Valerie Pope (MCAs of Central Ohio and Greater Dayton), and welcomed new leadership: Chair, Stephen Affanato (New England MCA); Vice Chair, John Rayburn (MCA of Chicago) and Program Chair, Glenn Rex (MCA of Texas).

MCAA also recognized and welcomed new ELI Committee member, Robin Cowper (MCA of Western Washington) to our next three years of leadership brainstorming.

The 2025 AEC Best Practices Conference will be held July 28 – 30, 2025 in Boston. Watch for information as the date gets closer.