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One of the hardest challenges with technology is looking to improve on something that is already working and effective. Since 2016, MCAA has been producing a successful Technology Conference that focuses on sharing new ideas, processes and solutions with its members. But just because it was the leading technology conference in the industry doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.

The MCAA 2021 MEP Innovation Conference looks to build on its previous success by inviting more union affiliated sub-contractors to participate. The conference has been rebuilt to include content for mechanical, plumbing, service, electrical and sheet metal contractors. MCAA has partnered with NECA and SMACNA to provide trade-specific content for electrical and sheet metal trades, as well as extended MCAA member pricing to their membership.

“We perform work for multiple trades like many other MCAA members, so hearing about the latest tools and processes on sheet metal is just as valuable to us as are topics on mechanical.” Stacy Zerr, Director of Pre-Construction at Waldinger noted. “In addition, most of the content in our technology education is going to be directly relevant to any MEP contractor participating.  Having electricians and sheet metal participants in roundtables and breakouts just makes the discussions more valuable because we are getting better perspective and making connections.”

The three-day conference has been moved from its typical January dates to April 26-28 in order to accommodate its transition to virtual. While there are challenges in moving this conference to a virtual structure, the format has some distinct advantages for the Innovation Conference when paired with corporate pricing. Individuals can attend for $200 a person, or up to 10 people from the same company can attend for a $400 corporate registration.  This creates an opportunity for a wider range of attendees based on job type than might normally attend an in-person conference.

“It’s hard to replace an in-person meeting but being able to deliver technology training beyond BIM and VDC allows for us to reach more job types like project managers, estimators and even safety personnel, who might not normally attend this conference,” Sean McGuire, MCAA’s Director of Innovative Technologies noted. “For companies looking to utilize a corporate registration, now you might assign a safety director to a few classes or an estimator and we have the space to provide a breakout session on it.”

This thinking extends to sessions that are specific to sheet metal, electrical, service and plumbing. A wider range of courses are available this year on topics that might be relatively narrow. The common thread to all of these is that every breakout and roundtable is being driven by contractor case studies. This peer-to-peer instruction provides directly relevant experience and guidance in each session. 

To learn more and register, visit the MCAA 2021 MEP Innovation Conference Website. The conference is only open to MCAA, NECA, SMACNA members and their union partners.

MCAA MEMBER REGISTRATION

NECA and SMACNA REGISTRATION

For more information or questions, please contact Sean McGuire.

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s Project Manager’s Manual. This manual covers all aspects of mechanical industry project management, including key topics like managing change orders and claims, job cost and labor control, productivity, scheduling, safety and much more. In addition to guidance, explanation, and best practices, it includes templates and examples of commonly used forms and documents like a Short Interval Schedule.

DOWNLOAD

You might also like these related resources:

• Successful Project Management Flowchart
• Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry

And don’t miss these educational opportunities:

• Preparatory Institute for Project Management
• Institute for Project Management

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Woody Woodall, the managing principal of Customer Focused Solutions, Inc.

Woody has had a long and distinguished career in the mechanical contracting industry, where he has seen and experienced the cutting edge processes that truly can make service groups the best in class in their areas.

He started as a Steamfitter with Local 602 in the Washington, D.C. area. After completing his apprenticeship, he went on to become an Instructor for the Union Apprentice Program in Washington, D.C.

Through his passion for teaching, he has since become an integral part of the education offerings of the Mechanical Service Contractors Association (MSCA). He was instrumental in helping develop many of their educational offerings, including the HVAC 101 program and the Sales Institute.

Woody has received many accolades throughout his career including Certified Instructor through the United Association and the D.S. O’Brien Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the industry.

His Fundamentals of Service Series (FOS) Seminars focus on the building blocks of what makes a healthy and successful service company, with an emphasis on customer service, team-building and effective communication.

Like our other NEI instructors, Woody brings his unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Even during the COVID-19 era. Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

On Feb. 22, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) entered into a tri-party strategic alliance agreement to collaborate on issues impacting the construction and maintenance industry on a national and regional level.

Through this alliance, MCAA, NECA, and TAUC will conduct joint meetings and share information of mutual interest relating to environmental health and safety, industrial relations, government affairs, and innovation and technology. The three organizations will develop products and practices to jointly benefit their respective memberships, increase membership awareness of industry issues, and much more.

“MCAA, NECA and TAUC have come together in a strategic alliance to better serve our members and to strengthen our organizations in an effort to help protect the unionized construction industry,” said Timothy J. Brink, MCAA CEO.

“I am excited that NECA, TAUC and MCAA are joining together in this strategic alliance, which will align our efforts to provide the safest, most innovative work to project owners,” said David Long, NECA CEO. “Through this agreement, NECA will be well-positioned to serve its members in new ways by collaborating to serve the interests of the unionized construction industry across America.”

“Union contractors understand that our industry is always strongest when we work together,” said TAUC CEO Steve Lindauer. “TAUC’s new alliance with NECA and MCAA will strengthen our respective organizations and, most importantly, help us provide even greater service to our members moving forward.”

ABOUT THE MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) serves the unique needs of approximately 2,600 firms involved in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, piping and mechanical service. MCAA does this by providing their members with high-quality educational materials and programs to help them attain the highest level of managerial and technical expertise. Visit www.mcaa.org for more information.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
NECA is the voice of the $171 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light and communication technology to buildings and communities across the United States. NECA’s national office in Washington, D.C., and 118 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. Go to www.necanet.org for more information.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF UNION CONSTRUCTORS
TAUC is the premier national trade association for the 21st century union construction industry.  Our member firms include union contractor companies, local union contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction field.  We demonstrate that union construction is the best option because it is safer and more productive and provides a higher quality and cost-competitive product. For more information, log on to www.tauc.org.