Backend Category: Construction Technology Initiative

January 27-30, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA

The holidays are a time for giving, and MCAA has something special for you: an extended Black Friday discount on MEP Innovation Conference registration. Now until December 31, 2024, save $200 when you lock in your spot at the 2025 MEP Innovation Conference. Secure your spot today and kick off 2025 with the tools, knowledge, and connections to thrive.

The 2025 conference is packed with value. By attending, you will gain access to real-life case studies, cutting-edge discussions about the evolution of construction technology, and strategies to integrate these innovations into your business. Company CTOs and CIOs will learn how to lead their organizations into the future of digital transformation.

Why Act Now?

• Extended Savings: Register now and take advantage of the $200 Black Friday discount – but only until December 31.
• Unbeatable Education: Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned leader, the conference offers insights tailored for you.
• Future-Ready Networking: Meet and collaborate with peers who are redefining the construction industry.

Join the premier event for forward-thinking contractors at a price that’s too good to pass up. Secure your discounted registration today and kick off 2025 with the tools, knowledge, and connections to thrive.

Use this discount code at registration: MEPV!PM6AA

MCAA is partnering with Dodge Construction Network to conduct critical research on the state of technology across the construction industry, and your participation is vital to its success. This survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your answers are strictly confidential and will not be associated with your name or the name of your company in any way.

As a thank you for participating, Dodge Data & Analytics will donate $25 for every completed survey—up to a total donation of $2,000—to Heavy Metal Summer Experience, an innovative six-week pilot program designed to expand work-based college alternatives, introduce high school students and recent graduates to careers in the building trades and help fill our industry’s skills shortages.

Thank you for helping the industry and participating in this important effort.

January 27-30, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA

For many contractors, coffee is as essential as any tool on the job site. It’s reliable, it keeps you going, and it has been around forever. But, as every coffee drinker knows, even the best coffee can lose its punch if it sits too long. Eventually, you need a fresh brew to get the full effect. The same goes for trusted practices in construction.

For decades, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors have relied on methods that have served them well, like keeping overhead low and focusing heavily on labor. These techniques built the foundation for many successful mom-and-pop shops. As businesses evolve into multimillion-dollar operations, so must the approach to managing overhead and improving efficiency. That’s where the 2025 MEP Innovation Conference comes in—it’s a chance to refresh your approach with the latest tools and insights directly from contractors who are already seeing real results.

Why Technology is Key to the Future of Contracting

Construction technology is advancing rapidly, and keeping up with new software, hardware, and processes is essential to stay competitive. Tools like artificial intelligence (AI), Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), and data analytics have become powerful assets, not just for improving project outcomes but for reshaping how teams work. For contractors, investing in technology means more than just having the right tools—it’s about ensuring your people know how to use them effectively. At the MEP Innovation Conference, you’ll see firsthand how leading contractors are implementing these technologies and training their teams to maximize the benefits, giving them a distinct edge in a fast-paced industry.

Learn from Real Contractors, Real Successes—and Real Challenges

At the MEP Innovation Conference, every session is led by contractors who are in the trenches, sharing real case studies, successes, and yes, even their failures. This is a chance to learn directly from those who have navigated the same challenges you’re facing and come out ahead. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room—just open to learning. By hearing from industry peers who have tried, tested, and refined their approaches, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical ideas to bring back to your own team.

Register for the MEP Innovation Conference today and prepare for your fresh jolt of innovation and inspiration.

January 27-30, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA

The MEP Innovation Conference is a premier event for professionals in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing industries. Hosted collaboratively by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), this conference is a vital platform for learning, networking, and development.

The conference offers a comprehensive array of educational sessions designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of attendees. With nearly 50 education sessions, including breakout sessions, interactive workshops, roundtables and general sessions, participants can delve into a wide range of topics. These sessions cover cutting-edge subjects such as construction technology, efficiency improvements, and innovative practices, providing attendees with practical insights to apply in their work.

A highlight of the MEP Innovation Conference is the prestigious MEP Innovator of the Year presented by each of the sponsoring organizations. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to innovation within the industry. Past recipients of the MCAA award, such as Jeff Elwell, Doug Smith and Ryan Hoggatt, have been acknowledged for their leadership in adopting new technologies and improving operational efficiencies. Their achievements serve as inspiration for others in the field to pursue innovative solutions. If you know of anyone worthy of the MCAA award in 2025, nominate them here. Nominations are due by November 22, 2024.

The MEP Innovation Conference is more than just an event; it is a catalyst for change and advancement in the construction industry. By attending, contractors can gain invaluable insights, connect with peers, and position themselves at the forefront of industry developments. Whether you are looking to learn, network, or be recognized for your contributions, this conference offers unparalleled opportunities to grow and succeed in today’s fast-paced world.

MCAA is partnering with the Lean Construction Institute and Dodge Construction Network to study the national utilization of Lean in design and construction. The 12-15 minute survey will reveal important benchmarking data to determine the progress of Lean use throughout the industry, and we invite you to participate.

As a design and construction professional, your input is critical to the success of this study, whether you utilize Lean or not. This research will determine the degree to which the design and construction industry is aware of and utilizing the specific Lean practices and provide the comparative data needed to understand trends based on previous years’ studies. 

Participants need to be familiar with project outcomes (budget compliance, schedule compliance, etc.) and contracting methods, as well as the processes in which project teams engage. Owners, architects, interior designers, engineers and contractors with experience with all types of building projects, from commercial to industrial to infrastructure, are eligible.

To thank you for your participation, upon completing the survey, you will be eligible to receive a copy of the findings of this study and LCI’s Lean Deployment Guide. Please note that your participation will be completely confidential – results will be analyzed and reported to the industry in aggregate only. Individual replies will only be made available to the survey participants.

MCAA congratulates Ryan Hoggatt, UMC, Inc.’s Director of Manufacturing, on being our MEP Innovator of the Year. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to the construction industry in the areas of efficiency, productivity, and innovation. His efforts have improved UMC, Inc.’s operations and encouraged others to adopt innovative practices.

Hoggatt plays a crucial role at UMC, Inc., overseeing areas such as corporate manufacturing, virtual construction, construction technology adoption, prefabrication, and modular construction. His work focuses on making processes more straightforward and efficient, cutting waste, and ensuring high standards of quality and safety.

Beyond his work at UMC, Inc., Hoggatt is known for sharing his insights on innovation with the wider construction community. This commitment to innovation was on display at the 2024 MEP Innovation Conference. During the Dear Software Vendor session, Hoggart and co-presenters Darren Young of UMC and Mark Lotspeich from Dynaletric, shared the contractor perspective on integrating new software tools with both contractors and industry developers.

Looking forward, Hoggatt advocates for collaboration, embracing change, and continuous improvement in the construction industry. His approach serves as an inspiration for future innovation, aiming to make the industry more sustainable and successful.

MCAA congratulates Hoggatt on the award and thanks him for sharing his knowledge with us.