Events Type: Meeting

PIPM Class 30, April-July 2025, Mornings

The PIPM is designed to provide a strong foundation in mechanical project management education. This program is delivered online, with weekly 90-minute sessions on topics fundamental to successful project management that are applicable regardless of company size. Our team of contractor-instructors provide an introductory education on everything from planning to scheduling; from cost control to time management. Lectures are live, never recorded, and students are regularly called upon to come onscreen and contribute. Lessons learned in class are reenforced through quizzes and homework assignments.

Classes will take place 11:00am-12:30pm EDT (8:00am-9:30am PDT).

PIPM Class 31, April-July 2025, Afternoons

Classes will take place 2:30pm-4pm EDT (11:30am-1pm PDT).

PIPM Class 32, April-July 2025, Wednesday Mornings

Classes will take place 11:00am-12:30pm EDT (8:00am-9:30am PDT).

PIPM Class 33, April-July 2025, Wednesday Afternoons

What Is It?

An online program, intended to be a precursor to the MCAA’s Institute for Project Management, overseen by the same committee that manages the IPM and AIPM.
A 12-week curriculum, taught as a series of 90-minute classes, covering topics fundamental to project management at an introductory level.

Who Should Attend?

Individuals on the project management track, who have relatively little (0-3 years) experience.
This includes:
- Assistant Project Managers
- Project Engineers
- Recent college graduates
- Employees transitioning from field to office, or from estimating to project management

Course Structure

Pre-IPM is designed and taught by 6 experienced contractors and professional instructors who have first-hand understanding of the challenges facing project managers, and the skills required to meet those challenges.
Each session is a combination of lecture and Q&A, ensuring that students are involved in a dynamic learning experience.
Participants will complete weekly quizzes and homework assignments, demonstrating what they have learned.
Upon completion of all course requirements (lectures, quizzes, and homework), students will receive MCAA Pre-IPM certification.

Curriculum Overview by Topic

Understanding The Project Manager’s Role
Planning: The Key to Successful Projects
The Project Manager’s Impact on Productivity
Knowing Your Costs, Catching Problems Early, and Getting Paid
Documentation: Why Great Projects Need Great Records
Project Scheduling: The Importance of Having a Clear Game Plan
Relationships Are Everything: Understanding Yourself and Managing Others
Being A Professional: Problem-Solving and Issue Resolution
Change Orders 101: Identification, Importance, and Management
Time Management & Personal Efficiency
Leadership at All Levels: Your Ability to Influence Others
Project Completion: Starting Strong and Finishing Stronger

How Will This Benefit My Workforce?

The Pre-IPM curriculum is designed to build participants’ understanding of key components of mechanical project management.
Pre-IPM will improve participants’ efficiency, management skills, and ability to adapt to change. Practical application is a core focus, and participants will walk away from each session with new ideas and skills to apply to their jobs.

Participation Requirements

Students must attend all 12 lectures. Lectures will not be recorded.
Students must complete all quizzes and submit all homework assignments by their respective deadlines to be eligible for Pre-IPM certification.
Students must be able to participate on a computer (not a tablet or phone), with audio and video capability and a reliable high-speed internet connection that allows video streaming. Each student must be signed in on their own computer, and must be prepared to come onscreen and ask/respond to questions.

2025 Course Information

All 2025 courses begin the week of April 28th and conclude the week of July 28th.
Classes will take place 2:30pm-4pm EDT (11:30am-1pm PDT).
There are no classes the weeks of May 26th or June 30th, due to holidays.
Participants much attend all sessions to be eligible for certification

Registration & Waitlist Information

If you have any questions or issues with registration (including payment), email events@mcaa.org
Tuition is payable online during registration. Refunds will not be issued after the first day of class, nor for partial completion of the program.
When the 2025 classes are filled, we will maintain a waitlist in case of cancellations. If you would like to add yourself or someone from your company to the waitlist, please complete and submit the form below.
If we receive a cancellation, waitlist requests will be processed in the order in which they are received.
You will only be notified if we receive a cancellation in a class that you have indicated you are able to attend (please select all that apply in the waitlist form).

2025 PCA Plumbing Service Conference

The PCA Plumbing Service Conference is a two day must-attend event for contractors looking to enhance their service operations, drive profitability, and embrace innovation. To see the full schedule, click the register button and it will show you the speakers, agenda and hotel details.

Highlights of the PCA Plumbing Service Conference:

Tour of Murphy Company and Local 562 – In a PCA first, not only will attendees get to tour the operations, training and sales strategies of Murphy, but see Local 562’s cutting edge plumbing service training facilities. There will be multiple stops at each location, with an opportunity to engage with peers.

Contractor-Led Education Sessions – You will have the opportunity to dive deeper with the team from Murphy as they provide sessions on how to utilize SmartSheets, Sales strategies for plumbing service, and how to create a best-in-class safety culture that addresses mental health issues.

Technology & Innovation – Jonathan Slain, popular “Rock the Recession” speaker from MCAA Convention is back with a brand new keynote on AI and plumbing service. He will work to demystify AI, and give you tools to take back so you are working smarter, not harder.

Roundtable Discussions – Engage in an interactive roundtable session that address the key challenges and opportunities in plumbing service, from attracting and retaining talent, leading a team, and operational excellence.

UA Update – UA Director of Plumbing, Tom Bigley, will be presenting on Plumbing Service focused UA updates.

Peer-to-Peer Networking – Connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and build relationships that can help you set your business apart.

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 Converge

The MCAA Converge isn’t just a meeting; it’s a meticulously crafted experience designed to address the unique needs of your company. Picture executive-to-executive meetings, a melting pot of strategic discussions, and an atmosphere buzzing with innovation. At Converge, we redefine engagement, offering a top-tier, strategic experience that goes beyond the local level. Executives from 25 Manufacturers & Suppliers and 40 Member Contractors converge to explore a spectrum of topics: from current and future market conditions to upcoming significant projects, emerging technologies, and the invaluable art of relationship building.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

Monday, June 23:
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration at the Lofton Hotel Minneapolis
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Meeting Suite Move-In at the Target Center (600 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55403)
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Reception & Dinner at the Lofton Hotel Minneapolis

Tuesday, June 24:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the Target Center (600 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55403)
8:15 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Converge Meetings (4)
11:50 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Converge Meetings (4)
5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception at the Lofton Hotel Minneapolis
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Dinner at the Lofton Hotel Minneapolis

Wednesday, June 25:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the Target Center (600 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55403)
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Converge Meetings (4)
12:00 p.m. Grab & Go Lunch

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.

2025 Collective Bargaining Seminar

The Collective Bargaining Seminar is designed to highlight MCAA’s Collective Bargaining Guide. Attendees will learn negotiating techniques and constructive approaches that will improve workforce performance along with contractor and industry competitiveness. The workshop will help members and local association executives improve their understanding of the bargaining process to assist in preparing properly for negotiations and to make bargaining a constructive event for management and labor.

2025 UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference

The conference, jointly hosted by the United Association (UA) and MCAA, will feature networking opportunities, and panel discussions focused on topics such as the current need for manpower, organizing, workforce development, and other topics that involve our UA/MCAA partnership. This is a great opportunity for local labor/management teams to attend and develop strategies to help protect our industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Field Leaders Conference, April 2026

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.

2026 WiMI Conference

Field Leaders Conference, September 2026

MSCA 2026 Annual Education Conference

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.