Career Stage: Estimator

2025 Fabrication Conference

MCAA Fabrication conference is one of the most popular educational events of the year. The focus of the conference is on off-site manufacturing techniques, processes and strategies. Each year the conference includes an operations tour with a full explanation of how the host contractor performs fabrication. This is paired with practical education sessions that feature contractors showcasing best in class case studies of their own operations from around the country.

 

2026 MEP Innovation Conference

MCAA, NECA and SMACNA have partnered together to host the MEP Innovations Conference. Known as the best technology conference for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, service and sheet metal contractors, this conference will provide educational sessions led by contractors from all three trade associations. This three day event includes innovative presentations, collaborative roundtable discussions, and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations highlighting the recent technologies that can improve MEP contractors’ productivity and profitability.

2026 WiMI Conference

The annual WiMI conference will feature exceptional speakers, interactive educational sessions, industry related roundtables and opportunities to build lasting relationships with fellow women in the mechanical industry. A full menu of educational offerings will help you discover all the opportunities this industry has to offer. From industry newcomers to executives, and everyone in between, this is the event to attend for all women in the mechanical contracting industry.

2025 MEP Innovation Conference

MCAA, NECA and SMACNA have partnered together to host the MEP Innovations Conference. Known as the best technology conference for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, service and sheet metal contractors, this conference will provide educational sessions led by contractors from all three trade associations. This three day event includes innovative presentations, collaborative roundtable discussions, and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations highlighting the recent technologies that can improve MEP contractors’ productivity and profitability.

2025 WiMI Conference

The annual WiMI conference will feature exceptional speakers, interactive educational sessions, industry related roundtables and opportunities to build lasting relationships with fellow women in the mechanical industry. A full menu of educational offerings will help you discover all the opportunities this industry has to offer. From industry newcomers to executives, and everyone in between, this is the event to attend for all women in the mechanical contracting industry.

Legal and Risk Management (LRM) Seminars

The Legal and Risk Management Seminars were created to help contractors better understand the risks imposed on their company throughout a contract and how to handle them. Learn how to identify risks, shift risks and negotiate terms, deal with government contracts, handle labor and best practices to maintain an ethics and compliance program.

These courses are eligible for a 20% rebate on instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class. This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI Initiative portal.

Classes taught by Charles F. Mitchell include:

LRM 101: Killer Contract Clauses 
LRM 102: Project Risk Management
LRM 103: Fundamentals of Federal Government Contracting
LRM 104: Change Order and Claim Management
LRM 105: Labor and Employment Disputes
LRM 106: Ethics and Compliance
LRM 107: Financially Distressed Contractors

Leadership Access Institute (LAI)

The Leadership Access Institute is designed for emerging & high potential leaders, executives, managers and supervisors. It is here to help them communicate better as well as solve problems, negotiate, understand diversity in the workplace, handle conflicts and understand better business etiquette.

These courses are eligible for a 20% rebate on instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class. This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI Initiative portal.

Classes taught by C. Richard Barnes include:

LAI 101: Foundational, Essential and Transformative Skills (Part 1) 
LAI 102: Foundational, Essential and Transformative Skills (Part 2)
LAI 103: Strategic Negotiation Skills (Session 1) 
LAI 104: Strategic Negotiation Skills (Session 2) 
LAI 105: Leading Focused Conversations
LAI 106: Briefing, Educational and Speech Techniques (Part 1)
LAI 107: Advanced Public Speaking Skills

Fabrication (FAB) Seminars

These seminars are designed for those who are interested in implementing or developing fabrication operations. Project Managers, New and Existing Fab Shop Managers, Field Personnel, Project Managers, Operations Managers, and Company Executives interested in starting or expanding their fabrication process. Regardless of your company’s current capacity, there is opportunity to develop processes that lead to increased project success and profitability, by transforming the way you look at fabrication.

These courses are eligible for a 20% rebate on instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class. This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI Initiative portal.

Classes taught by Greg Fuller include:

FAB 101: The Evolution of Fabrication I: Why, How and When (Now)
FAB 102: The Evolution of Fabrication II: Implementing Manufacturing Process for the Construction Industry

Fundamentals of  Service (FOS) Seminars for Service

These seminars are designed to 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.

These courses are eligible for a 20% rebate on instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class. This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI Initiative portal.

Seminars taught by Woody Woodall include:

  • FOS 100: Customer Service Class Outline
  • FOS 101: Project Management for Service Outline
  • FOS 102: Transition from Field Tech to Office Professional

Financial Development Series (FDS) Seminars for Service and Construction

Through a series of questions about the audience, area of focus, market, organizational structure, and depth of required knowledge, Leah will create a workshop or series of workshops specifically addressing desired objectives and application of construction and service financial knowledge. Target audiences can range from service teams and technicians to project managers and support staff and to field crews and supervision. Workshops address foundational, intermediate, or advanced topics for your identified group and will include direct application and practice to relevant projects, service work, and company financials.

These courses are eligible for a 20% rebate on instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class. This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI Initiative portal.

Seminars taught by Leah Gutmann include:

FDS 100: Mechanical Service Financial Management
FDS 101: Financial Management for The Project Manager – The Basics
FDS 102: Construction Foundations for Foremen
FDS 103: Financial Management for the Mechanical Contractor
FDS 104: Mechanical Construction: The Bigger Financial Picture

Fundamentals of Project Management (FPM) Seminars

These seminars are specifically directed to junior and senior level project management personnel such as field engineers, project engineers, assistant project managers, project managers, senior project managers, estimators, senior estimators, etc.

These courses are subsidized by MCAA. No rebate is available.

Seminars taught by John Koontz, MCAA Director, Project Management Education, include:

  • FPM 100: Planning Skills for the Project Team
  • FPM 101: Productivity Improvement for Mechanical Projects
  • FPM 102: Using the Contract as a Tool for Project Management
  • FPM 103: Fundamentals of Job Cost Control
  • FPM 104: Time Management Skills and Managing Multiple Projects
  • FPM 105: Effective Project Documentation
  • FPM 106: Change Order Management: Best Practices for Success
  • FPM 107: Project Billings and Maintaining Positive Cash Flow
  • FPM 108: Essential Management Skills for the Project Manager
  • FPM 109: Basic Negotiating Skills for Project Managers
  • FPM 110: Mechanical Scheduling: Project Leader vs. Project Follower–Understanding the Basics
  • FPM 111: Critical Leadership Skills for Project Managers
  • FPM 112: Profitability Managing Your Subcontractors
  • FPM 113: Successful Survival of Project Closeout
  • FPM 114: Best Practices of Blue Chip Mechanical Project Managers