Welcome to Inside MCAA, The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting, the podcast dedicated to unveiling the strategies and resources that power success within the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Hosted by renowned Customer Experience Coach and NEI Instructor Frank Favaro, each episode dives deep into the wealth of educational tools, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts that define MCAA.

The construction industry is facing unprecedented challenges with ongoing and evolving tariffs on essential materials like steel, aluminum, and copper — and the impacts are rippling through the supply chain. Join our expert panel on March 20^th from 2:00-2:45pm Eastern Time as we break down our thoughts and forecasts on the real-world implications of these tariffs. From understanding the current tariff landscape to anticipating future increases and how suppliers and manufacturers are responding, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge to manage rising costs and protect your business. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve — register now and prepare for what’s next in construction industry economics!

Unplanned events, circumstances and factors may impact a construction project’s outcome, productivity and schedule. MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry assists contractors in identifying obstacles to a successful project, and proactively managing these obstacles to mitigate or eliminate their impact to the bottom line. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA CEO Tim Brink has been honored with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who’s Who^®, the leading publisher of biographical profiles. This prestigious award recognizes Tim’s outstanding leadership, achievements, and significant contributions to the mechanical and plumbing industry.

EMCOR Services, an MCAA and MSCA member, recently opened a new, 11,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility in Phoenix, AZ. The facility lets EMCOR employees from across the nation attend in-person training sessions on topics ranging from the latest OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) equipment to safety best practices to automation-line tutorials, and everything in between—all while gaining valuable insights gleaned from real-life work situations. A collaboration between MSCA and the new EMCOR Training Center gives members access to MSCA classes at the facility.

The NCPWB Technical Conference is just around the corner! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn, share, and connect. This year’s conference is packed with valuable content and unmatched opportunities to network with friends, colleagues, and new acquaintances. We’re also introducing for the first time, an exhibitor showcase on Monday afternoon where you can see the latest and greatest welding technologies. Don’t miss it – register today!

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

If you enjoyed the PCA Lunch and Learn at Convention, and its lively discussion on plumbing special projects, get ready to take your plumbing service knowledge to the next level at the PCA Plumbing Service Conference! This event is your best opportunity to learn, share, and grow in your understanding of plumbing service operations. Whether you’re looking to refine your strategies, gain insights from industry leaders, or connect with peers who share your challenges and opportunities, this conference is designed with you in mind. Register today and be part of the future of plumbing service!

Twenty-three students were recognized with a variety of scholarships and for the first time, the scholarship total reached $100,000! McMaster University emerged as the victors for the Student Chapter Competition and returned to campus with a $10,000 prize, sponsored by DEWALT Industrial Tool Company, following their Final Four presentation at MCAA25. The MVP – Most Valuable Presenter was awarded to Parker Jenkins from Pittsburg State University. Congratulations to all MCAA25 award winners and scholarship recipients!

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Thomas J. Wanner, retired Executive Director of the MCA/MSCA of Cleveland, Inc. and a past chair of MCAA’s Association Executives Council, passed away on March 7, 2025. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by the entire MCAA family.

An analysis of more than 2,500 bids on 773 Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) building projects between 2017 and 2023 has found that project labor agreements (PLAs) increased bid competition by an average of 14 percent, with each additional bid increasing the likelihood that projects would be awarded below their official engineer’s estimates by 6 percent. The report was published by researchers at the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and the Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.