Tradeswomen Build Nations 2024 Inspired the Women Making a Difference in the Trades

The Tradeswomen Build Nations conference took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, from September 27-30, 2024. MCAA was honored to be part of this inspiring event, which drew over 5,200 attendees representing a diverse array of trades, including members of the United Association (UA), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Teamsters, Bricklayers (BAC), and many more.

The conference kicked off on Friday, September 27th, with a full day of exhibits. Key industry manufacturers and suppliers were featured, including major names like DEWALT and MILWAUKEE TOOL. The day concluded with an opening reception, setting the stage for a weekend of learning, networking, and solidarity.

On Saturday, September 28th, the plenary session began with a reflective and respectful opening prayer and Land Acknowledgment, followed by a warm welcome from North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Tradeswomen Committee Chair, Vicki O’Leary. In her opening remarks, Chair O’Leary emphasized the importance of the event and the progress being made by women in the trades.

Next, attendees heard from Sean McGarvey, President of NABTU, who delivered an empowering speech, along with other notable leaders. A special moment followed when the Honorable Julie Su, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, shared a message of support. Capping off the morning’s highlights, President Joe Biden delivered a heartfelt message of solidarity and encouragement to the tradeswomen, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping the nation’s workforce.

One of the most anticipated moments of the weekend followed the President’s address. Tradeswomen proudly took to the streets of New Orleans for the annual banner parade, cheering each other on in a vibrant display of unity and sisterhood.

The day continued with a UA-led caucus, where over 1,000 union women gathered to hear updates from UA leadership on key topics such as safety, training, recruitment, and groundbreaking new maternity benefits. The session also included remarks from MCAA President Rick Gopffarth, who spoke passionately about the growing opportunities within the industry. He highlighted a few initiatives such as the joint efforts between the UA and MCAA, The Foundations of Field Leadership course, the Women in the Mechanical Industry Conference, and the Safety Excellence Initiative focus on mental health. He concluded by emphasizing the crucial role women play in the trades and the transformative impact they continue to have on the industry.

The Tradeswomen Build Nations 2024 conference was a powerful testament to the strength, resilience, and growing influence of women in the trades, with this year’s event marking another step forward in the movement for equality and representation.