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What Does the Construction Landscape Look Like in Five Years? Join MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference to Discover the Innovative Opportunities from Lee Smither.

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will hear from Lee Smither, a principal for FMI’s consulting practice.

Prefabrication, modularization, robotics, autonomous equipment, 4D and 5D design… innovation is around every corner and technology companies have discovered opportunities within the construction industry. This seminar previews what Construction 2.0 looks like and what it means for you and your company. You will learn what our landscape will look like in five years, what innovations are already being used today and what is yet to come.

As a principal for FMI’s consulting practice, Lee helps engineering and construction companies with strategic planning to improve their corporate performance. He specializes in market strategy and consulting, developing and implementing organization-wide change initiatives and other leadership focused engagements. Additionally, he led FMI’s CEO Forum, which hosted the Top 100 leaders from the industry each year in Washington, D.C.

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021.

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Thank you Trimble for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA.

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Looking to Grow a Strong and Profitable Service Business? Learn from Chris Carter, Brian Hughes and Steve Harvey at MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference!

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will hear from MCAA Board of Director members Chris Carter, Brian Hughes and Steve Harvey.

“Growing a Strong and Profitable Service Business” will provide you with the fundamentals needed to start or improve your service business’ performance. A strong HVACR and plumbing service business can help sustain your business during downturns in the construction market. You will learn how to analyze your service business model and identify future growth opportunities, actionable strategies to build the sales team you need to facilitate service growth, how to generate a recurring revenue stream through preventative maintenance agreements, as well as additional pull-through work and retrofit opportunities.

Chris Carter, Vice President of Service at Murphy Company, Brian Hughes, Executive Vice President of Hughes Environmental Engineering, Inc., and Steve Harvey, General Manager at Soefker Services, are looking forward to sharing with you!

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021.

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Thank you Viega for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA.

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Congress Expected to Pass Stimulus Package. Watch Withum’s December 23rd Webinar Covering Package Details On-Demand.

Experts from Withum’s SBA Financial Services and Tax Services teams navigate through the myriad of provisions included in the more than 5,000 page legislative package finalized mid-December. Withum’s team covers in detail the provisions of the legislation which cover the following topics:

  • PPP Loans: Another Round of Funding
  • PPP Loan Forgiveness Process (Round 1 and Round 2)
  • PPP Loan Forgiveness Deductibility

Withum also covers the basics of the following provisions, but expect to have more detailed communications on these as guidance becomes more clear:

  • Unemployment Provisions
  • Stimulus Checks
  • Employer Focused Tax Credits

WATCH ON-DEMAND

Why Do Some Companies Do Well While Others Just Barely Survive? Register for MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference and Find Out from Landon Funsten!

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will gain knowledge through the experience of this presentation by Landon Funsten, Chairman of FMI Corporation.

“Past, Present and Future: How Contractors Succeed and Which Trends are Emerging for the Future” addresses how contractors of all sizes struggle to keep existing clients and maintain a foothold. However, others gain traction, build backlogs, run profitably and penetrate new areas of specialization. So, what is their secret? Why do some companies do well while others just barely survive? This seminar will show you.

You will learn the business imperatives for surviving in the construction industry, the common mistakes contractors make, and how to build a company fit for the next challenge. Landon works extensively with contractors throughout the country, focusing on buyer and seller representation, business continuity and stock valuations. Before taking his current position, he spent time in FMI’s Investment Banking Group and FMI’s Management Consulting practice.

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021.

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Thank you Watts Water for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA.

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Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Following Your Interests to First-Hand Experience

Colten Lovejoy’s interest in the mechanical construction industry may have stemmed from watching his father work in the industry for 25 years, but he was quick to create his own experiences. Colten knew he wanted to immediately start working in the field. As a student, he interned with MMC Contractors in Kansas City, MO for two summers as a pre-apprentice alongside journeymen, laborers, and foremen and really enjoyed seeing and understanding how and why complicated systems work the way they do, first-hand. 

Colten graduated from Pittsburgh State University in May and is now a full-time employee at MMC Contractors. He credits not only his dad, but his Pittsburg State University Faculty Advisor, Shannon Nicklaus for helping him continue his education and career in the industry. Through Colten’s involvement in his MCAA student chapter, he has gained a life-long mentor, as well as a network of industry peers. Even if later in life he has a question or is looking to problem solve, he knows he can call anyone he has met through this program to work through it together.

Don’t Forget to Keep Your Resume Updated on MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board

Looking for an internship or full time employment opportunity?

Make sure your resume is up to date on MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board. Hiring MCAA members are able to browse all resumes and contact you directly if they think you’re the perfect candidate! There are currently two internship opportunities available and two full time opportunities available on the job board.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Megan Walsh.

Registration for the 2021 MCAA Virtual Education Conference is NOW OPEN!

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021.

The VEC isn’t “just another meeting in front of your computer” but an opportunity to network with your MCAA peers, participate in interactive education seminars and see the latest and greatest from the companies that comprise MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council Governing Board in the two-day virtual exhibit.

By registering to attend the VEC, you will have at your fingertips the knowledge of industry experts who will guide you through the ins and outs of managing your business, stories of triumph in overcoming difficult times and a pointer or two on how to stay up-to-date on the industry’s leading technology.

Additionally, you will have exclusive access to “An Honest Conversation About Uncertain Times,” a seminar featuring United Association General President Mark McManus and MCAA President Brian Helm. GP McManus and President Helm will openly discuss our industry including past, current and future impacts of COVID-19, membership, jobsites and all joint UA/MCAA efforts. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration).

Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March!

REGISTER NOW

Congratulations to MCAA’s Emerging Student Chapter & Chapter of Excellence Grant Recipients

On behalf of the John R. Gentille Foundation and MCAA’s Career Development Committee, we are pleased to announce the following Student Chapters received a 2020 Emerging Chapter Grant: Bowling Green State University, Cypress College, Northern Kentucky University, and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Campus.

The Emerging Chapter Grant was created to assist new chapters in becoming more established or struggling chapters in overcoming a challenge or obstacle. The financial assistance this grant money provides has helped chapters build stronger and better programs that attract and interest more students.

The John R. Gentille Foundation and MCAA’s Career Development Committee are also pleased to share the following Student Chapters received a 2020 Chapter of Excellence Grant: Ball State University, California State University, Chico, California State University, East Bay, Fairleigh-Dickinson University, Ferris State, Kansas State University, Kent State University, Purdue University, the University of Maryland, the University of Missouri- Columbia, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This Chapter of Excellence award recognizes student chapters for their extraordinary performance and accomplishments during the prior year, as well as encourage their continued growth and development.

Congratulations to all recipients and many thanks for your continued interest and participation in MCAA’s Student Chapter program.

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: The Benefit of Connecting with Industry Professionals

University of Missouri-Columbia mechanical engineering major Kylie Nedelka first learned about the MCAA GreatFutures program after hearing the association president speak to her class a few years ago. It was here Kylie realized the many benefits of being involved with the program.

“Networking is by far the best thing you can do in your career,” Kylie said while stressing the importance of building a professional network. Using her networking skills, she has landed two internships with SIEMENS, a member of the MCAA Manufacturer/Supplier Council. Kylie landed her first internship opportunity at the 2018 GreatFutures Forum while riding on a bus to Disneyland, where she shared a seat and struck up a conversation with Kristin Junia, Program Manager at SIEMENS. The following day, Kylie made sure to stop by the SIEMENS booth at the forum’s career fair. This is where she could talk more in-depth with Kristin about her education and internship interests and was offered an internship on the spot.

We hope Kylie’s story inspires other students to put themselves out there and not be afraid to talk to and connect with people within the industry, as you never know where it will lead!

You can read more of Kylie’s story here.