Career Stage: Operations Personnel

2025 Industry Funds Conference

This conference covers proper use of industry improvement funds and explores ideas for beneficial programs they can subsidize. Hear from economic futurists, relations specialists, attorneys, and authorities on labor-related trends in the industry. Learn the many ways that industry funds can be used in educational classes, industry promotions, cyber security, industry research, advertising & marketing, subsidize MCAA registration fees, legislative expenses (including consultants), administrative expenses for your association, PAC fundraising events, student chapter expenses, industry legal expenses, collective bargaining, and more! Roundtable and panel discussions allow participants to share information on existing programs around the country that are supported by industry improvement funds.

2025 PCA Plumbing Service Conference

This two-day conference will cover all aspects of plumbing service, starting with the basics and covering customer service, profits and cash flow, incentives, labor, and lone worker safety. The format combines instruction with peer-to-peer interaction and discussion.

2026 Safety & Health Conference

MCAA, SMACNA, TAUC have partnered together to host the Safety & Health Conference, the biggest construction safety event of the year. The conference brings together safety professionals from across the construction industry to collaborate and explore the challenges and opportunities within our field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a range of educational programs designed to enhance their professional skills. Subject Matter Experts will cover various aspects of jobsite safety, including discussions on emerging technologies and evolving best practices that can be implemented in their operations. Hands-on workshops will also be available, allowing experts to delve into new safety & health concepts in detail and provide practical guidance to help attendees better understand these innovative ideas. Two summits will also be offered, a pre-conference Construction Mental Health Summit and a post-conference Construction Risk Management Summit. 

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.

MCAA 2027 Annual Convention

The MCAA Annual Convention is the highlight of the association’s year. With a reputation as the industry’s premier educational event, the MCAA Convention offers something for all members. Attendees will experience a first class trade show featuring the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council, social functions that never cease to amaze and delight, exceptional education seminars and the chance to network and connect with industry peers. Don’t miss the opportunity to see what your trade association can do for you.

MSCA 2028 Annual Education Conference

Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, service technology, training, and recruiting issues. This is the only industry conference specifically geared to service companies and the unique challenges and issues they face. Also included is an exhibit of products and services that can help you run your business more efficiently. Education sessions will help you make your time, resources, and personnel go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events.

 

Job & Company Operations (JCO) Seminars for Construction

Every member of your field and office leadership team will benefit from the Job and Company Operations Seminars. Developing highly trained field and office personnel with good operational practices and solid procedures will lead to more productive projects, reduced duplication of effort, and allow your company to measure tangible results.

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 Kathryn Crosby include:

  • JCO 100: Introduction to Project Management
  • JCO 101: Successful Business Communications–It Begins at the Beginning
  • JCO 102: Construction–A People Business
  • JCO 103: Contract Language–What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
  • JCO 104: Dealing With Difficult People at Work
  • JCO 105: The Art of Being an Effective Manager
  • JCO 106: Written Communication Skills
  • JCO 107: Managing Your Cash Flow
  • JCO 108: Control Your Life by Controlling Your Time
  • JCO 109: Understanding and Resolving Conflict
  • JCO 110: Interpersonal Skills of the Project Team
  • JCO 111: The Business of Contracting: Back to the Basics
  • JCO 112: Basic Business Writing for Foremen and Service Technicians
  • JCO 113: Managing Project Risk with Solid Documentation
  • JCO 114: Financial Statements–What You Always Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask
  • JCO 115: Construction Financial Management–It’s More than Accounting
  • JCO 116: General Conditions of the Contract
  • JCO 117: Knowing the Score – Understanding the Impact of Project Forecasting
  • JCO 118: The Profitability of Safety
  • JCO 119: Safety–the Foreman’s Critical Role
  • JCO 120: Knowing the Craft is Not Enough
  • JCO 121: The Successful Entrepreneur 
  • JCO 122: Re-Energize Your Workforce
  • JCO 123: Construction Finance Fundamentals – What your accountant wants you to know
  • JCO 124: Navigating the Numbers – Business Finance for Mechanical Service Professionals

     

Advanced IPM Class 22, January 2026

Advanced Institute for Project Management was established to further develop the project management skills of experienced mechanical industry project managers.

The course provides five days of intensive, advanced level study designed to make even the most experienced project managers more productive and their jobs more profitable.

With the industry’s top instructors leading the way, AIPM students will obtain a highly advanced level of education on leadership, how to keep clients forever, legal issues on difficult jobs, insurance and bonding, how to stay on top of scheduling and productivity impacts, negotiating skills for avoiding litigation, and operational management.

Advanced IPM Class 21, January 2025

Advanced Institute for Project Management was established to further develop the project management skills of experienced mechanical industry project managers.

The course provides five days of intensive, advanced level study designed to make even the most experienced project managers more productive and their jobs more profitable.

With the industry’s top instructors leading the way, AIPM students will obtain a highly advanced level of education on leadership, how to keep clients forever, legal issues on difficult jobs, insurance and bonding, how to stay on top of scheduling and productivity impacts, negotiating skills for avoiding litigation, and operational management.

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.

2025 Safety & Health Conference

MCAA, SMACNA, TAUC have partnered together to host the Safety & Health Conference, the biggest construction safety event of the year. The conference brings together safety professionals from across the construction industry to collaborate and explore the challenges and opportunities within our field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a range of educational programs designed to enhance their professional skills. Subject Matter Experts will cover various aspects of jobsite safety, including discussions on emerging technologies and evolving best practices that can be implemented in their operations. Hands-on workshops will also be available, allowing experts to delve into new safety & health concepts in detail and provide practical guidance to help attendees better understand these innovative ideas. Two summits will also be offered, a pre-conference Construction Mental Health Summit and a post-conference Construction Risk Management Summit. 

2025 NCPWB Annual Technical Conference/Committee Meeting

The NCPWB Technical Committee Conference is held annually to provide a forum for exchanging technical information among attendees and to offer presentations on topics related to pipe welding. The committee meeting portion of the event covers topics such as policy and producers regarding the joint UA/NCPWB welder certification program and addresses chapter inquiries. In addition to the annual event, chapter operation seminars are held every other year to educate chapter administrators about the policies/procedures associated with maintaining welder qualification records.

MSCA 2030 Annual Education Conference

Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, service technology, training, and recruiting issues. This is the only industry conference specifically geared to service companies and the unique challenges and issues they face. Also included is an exhibit of products and services that can help you run your business more efficiently. Education sessions will help you make your time, resources, and personnel go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events.

 

MSCA 2026 Annual Education Conference

Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, service technology, training, and recruiting issues. This is the only industry conference specifically geared to service companies and the unique challenges and issues they face. Also included is an exhibit of products and services that can help you run your business more efficiently. Education sessions will help you make your time, resources, and personnel go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events.

 

MSCA 2025 Annual Education Conference

Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, service technology, training, and recruiting issues. This is the only industry conference specifically geared to service companies and the unique challenges and issues they face. Also included is an exhibit of products and services that can help you run your business more efficiently. Education sessions will help you make your time, resources, and personnel go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events.

 

MSCA 2027 Annual Education Conference

Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, service technology, training, and recruiting issues. This is the only industry conference specifically geared to service companies and the unique challenges and issues they face. Also included is an exhibit of products and services that can help you run your business more efficiently. Education sessions will help you make your time, resources, and personnel go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events.

 

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