Backend Category: Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative

Register Now for MCAA25: MCAA25 Regular Rate Deadline Is January 31

The Regular Rate Deadline of January 31, 2025, is approaching fast! Register for MCAA25 today to lock in the Convention’s most favorable registration rates.

The late registration period will begin on February 1, 2025.

Gain Practical Skills to Help You and Your Business Succeed

MCAA25 will feature a series of engaging and highly relevant sessions designed to provide real-world solutions to the challenges mechanical construction, service and plumbing professionals face every day. Highlights include:

PCA Lunch & Learn

Join James Lowder and Kevin Walsh for an informative session on how small plumbing projects can significantly impact your business. This presentation will provide practical insights on starting and managing a Special Projects division, with a focus on making it the most profitable part of your company. Key topics include establishing a Special Projects division, hiring the right talent, maximizing profitability, integrating with existing operations, and navigating the National Service Agreement. Whether you’re looking to diversify your services or streamline operations, this session is a must-attend for plumbing contractors aiming to boost efficiency and enhance business growth.

WiMI Lunch & Learn

Join Alex Willis for an engaging and interactive session on Navigating the Uncomfortable – Building Skills for Difficult Conversations. In this 90-minute training, participants will explore how discomfort plays a role in professional settings and learn how to manage challenging conversations more effectively using the 4 Lenses personality framework. Through a mix of presentations, group discussions, personal reflection, and role-playing, attendees will gain valuable insights into how different personalities perceive and handle discomfort. This session will equip you with the skills to navigate difficult conversations with empathy, fostering a more productive and harmonious workplace environment.

National Agreements Lunch & Learn

Join Moderator Ed Kommers as he leads Renee Fiorelli, Steve Hinshaw, and the UA’s, Mike Pleasant, for an insightful Lunch & Learn session on National Agreements. This discussion will delve into the benefits and pitfalls of four crucial National Agreements: the National Service & Maintenance Agreement (NSMA), the Pipe Fabrication Agreement (PFA), the National Construction Agreement (NCA/General Presidents Agreement), and the National Maintenance Agreement (NMA). Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of each agreement’s unique aspects so that you can better navigate these complex contracts and make informed decisions for your business. Whether you’re new to these agreements or seeking to enhance your knowledge, this session is a must-attend for anyone working in the construction industry.

Don’t Miss Out – Register Today!

By registering today, you’ll lock in the best available rates for MCAA25 and ensure your place at the premier event for mechanical contracting professionals. Registration rates will increase starting February 1, 2025, so now is the time to act.

Register today and join industry leaders, experts, and peers for an unforgettable educational experience at MCAA25! Act before the Regular Rate Deadline of January 31, 2025, and take advantage of these rates!

When registering, you will find a list of available hotel options. All official MCAA25 events and meetings will take place at the JW Marriott Austin.

Important: Please carefully review the MCAA Cancellation Policy during your registration.

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.

Enhance Your Company’s Training & Leadership and Meet Your Financial Objectives with Skills from NEI Instructor Leah Gutmann – New Classes Added

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Leah Gutmann, owner of First Forward Consulting, LLC. Leah teaches instructors to enhance their skills, managers to build leadership skills, and finance teams to meet company objectives. Her newest classes focus on building the fundamental leadership skills of our industry’s field leaders, service leaders, and project managers.

Leah is certified to deliver training on a wide variety of leadership and financial topics. She has over 12 years of experience in the design, implementation and facilitation of educational programs, classes and seminars. Her 20-year career as a CFO and Finance Manager in the mechanical construction industry has given Leah the unique ability to offer training and consulting from a hands-on, in the trenches perspective. 

Leah offers six course series, each tailored for a specific audience and purpose.

The Field Leadership Series (FLS) builds the fundamental leadership skills every field leader must know, believe in, and be able to apply in practical and consistent ways to drive long term success for individuals, crews, projects, and organizations.

The Service Leadership Series (SLS) teaches participants to apply critical leadership skills to real service team problems, building confidence at both the individual and team level. Everyone participating will leave with tools and strategies that can be applied immediately to improve results at all levels.

In the Project Manager Leadership Series (PML), project managers will learn the essential tools needed to gain respect, get noticed, and be the project leader others follow because they want to, not because they have to.

The Instructor Training Series (ITS) Seminars train JATC instructors, association instructors, and organization subject matter experts to increase retention of material, connect with students, and transfer critical industry knowledge to the next generation, thus enhancing their organization’s competitive advantage. All classes are adapted to fit the needs of each instructor group and their application to the mechanical construction industry. 

In the Leadership Development Series (LDS) Seminars for Service and Construction, management level employees and team leaders focus on building strong communication skills and self awareness to help them be successful leaders.

The Financial Development Series (FDS) Seminars for Service and Construction offer customized coursework to 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.

Like our other NEI instructors, Leah brings her unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members. 

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the 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 website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.

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.

2024 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.

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 2024 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 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.

 

Check Out the Line Up for MCAA’s 2023 WiMI Conference

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN at the Grand Hyatt and is packed with opportunities to learn, grow and discover all that you are capable of and what this industry has to offer.

Keynote Sessions

Our industry’s own, Kathy Crosby will use the personal DISC assessment tool to help attendees uncover valuable information about themselves and others. 

Best selling author, Diana Kander will show us how we can level up our simple questions to get significantly better results and drive innovation in the opening keynote presentation; Unleash Your Curiosity.  

In our Closing General Session, Be Who You Came to Be, through personal experience, stories, and research, Tara Renze, author and thought leader, will walk her audience through a three-step process to “be who they came to be”.

Education Sessions

In the Women & Mental Health in Construction session, Sally Spencer-Thomas, Co-Founder & President, United Suicide Survivors International, will dive into why mental health matters for women in construction, why leaders need to attend to risk factors and environmental drivers, and what action steps they can take.

John Koontz, MCAA Director for Project Management Education and Kathryn Crosby, Owner and Founder of C2 Consulting, Inc, have seen hundreds of success stories in this industry, and they will share the traits they all have in common in the Quality, Traits and Characteristics of Successful People in Our Industry session.

Colene Rogers, speaker and Executive Coach, will lead the session, Change the Conversation. Change the Culture, and provide practical tips to help attendees have conversations that address differences of opinion to resolve issues; what Colene calls Tough Talks.

Industry Panels

Keynote speaker, Diana Kander, will moderate an interactive discussion with some of our WiMI Committee members on lessons learned and keys to being successful in our industry.

Discover Your Allies, will be moderated by UA’s Special Representative for Training and Outreach, Laura Ceja and feature Ray Boyd, UA’s Director ‑ Education and Training, Bill Tavenner, Vice President of Sales at Ferguson Enterprises, Tom Bello, Executive Vice President of Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington and MCAA’s Director of Project Management Education, John Koontz. The panel will discuss how men can be allies and support the growth of women in our industry.

Additional Opportunities for Development & Networking

We have two sessions of roundtable discussions that will cover a variety of industry and growth-related topics led by WiMI committee members. Our evening receptions will provide additional time for networking and connecting with peers.

Check out the full line up of this year’s conference. Hotel rooms are filling up fast, so register today and lock in the group rate by May 14!

DISCover Your Professional Style at MCAA’s 2023 WiMI Conference

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference kicks off on Monday, June 12th with our Opening General Session – DISCover You. In this session led by Kathryn Crosby, attendees will complete a “style analysis” profile to produce a graph of the behavior and personality tendencies for each letter designation used in the popular DISC system specific to the attendee. Attendees will uncover valuable information about themselves and others, including why some relationships work and some don’t, along with why it is essential to adapt. Crosby will also reveal your “secret weapon “and how to use it.

Kathryn Crosby has more than 30 years experience in the construction business. While serving as Vice President and CFO for a mechanical contractor she was elected to the MCAA Board of Directors, nominated as chair for MCAA’s Project Management Education Committee, was active in the AGC, and served on the faculty of the MCAA’s highly acclaimed Institute for Project Management (IPM). Today, as owner and founder of C2 Consulting, Inc, Kathryn continues her dedication and love for the construction industry doing seminars and training throughout the U.S. and Canada. She currently serves on the faculty of IPM, Construction Education Institute, MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) and the UA’s Instructor Training Program. Kathryn has developed custom training programs for several trade organization and construction companies including the UA and Asbestos Workers.

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN. See you there!

WiMI-KC Featured in P1 Group, Inc. Newsletter

A recent MCA of Kansas City WiMI Committee (WiMI-KC) event inspired Tiffany Oldham, a digital media specialist with P1 Group, Inc., to write an article for her company’s newsletter. Learn more about the event and how WiMI-KC is engaging, empowering, inspiring and mentoring women in Kansas City’s mechanical industry.

Registration for MCAA’s 2023 Women in the Mechanical Industry Conference Is Open

MCAA launched our Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative in 2018 and it has continued to grow year after year. The WiMI initiative was created to enable women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities. Over the years WiMI has brought education opportunities across all of MCAA’s events, including MCAA’s Convention, MSCA’s Education Conference, MCAA’s Safety & Health Conference and the MEP Innovation Conference. WiMI’s largest opportunity for education and networking for women in the industry is at our annual WiMI Conference.  

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN and is a great opportunity for all women to DISCOVER  their potential. The 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 attendees 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.  

See you there!

Celebrate Women in Construction Week & Register for MCAA’s 2023 WiMI Conference

Women in Construction Week or WIC Week celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. In 1998, NAWIC held the first WIC Week and it has grown and expanded each year since. This week, MCAA wants to celebrate the many successful women among our membership and this amazing industry.  

MCAA launched our Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative in 2018 and it has continued to grow year after year. The WiMI initiative was created to enable women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities. Over the years WiMI has brought education opportunities across all of MCAA’s events, including MCAA’s Convention, MSCA’s Education Conference, MCAA’s Safety & Health Conference and the MEP Innovation Conference. WiMI’s largest opportunity for education and networking for women in the industry is at our annual WiMI Conference.  

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN and is a great opportunity for all women to DISCOVER  their potential. The 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 attendees 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.  

New Year, New Roles for Some MCAA Staff

MCAA has realigned some staff responsibilities for the future. Sean McGuire is the new Executive Director, JRGF (John R. Gentille Foundation). He continues in his role as Executive Director, Innovation Technologies & Fabrication. Sean has turned over his Plumbing Contractors of America (PCA) role to Teresa Pezzi, who also handles the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA), a natural fit since mechanical and plumbing service frequently go hand in hand. Teresa’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) role has transitioned to Michaela Mueller, who continues as Director, Special Projects & Initiatives. Please join us in congratulating them on their new roles!

Enhance Your Company’s Training & Leadership and Meet Your Financial Objectives with Skills from NEI Instructor Leah Guttman

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Leah Gutmann, owner of First Forward Consulting, LLC. Leah teaches instructors to enhance their skills, managers to build leadership skills, and finance teams to meet company objectives.

Leah is certified to deliver training on a wide variety of leadership and financial topics. She has over 12 years of experience in the design, implementation and facilitation of educational programs, classes and seminars. Her 20-year career as a CFO and Finance Manager in the mechanical construction industry has given Leah the unique ability to offer training and consulting from a hands-on, in the trenches perspective.   

Her Instructor Training Series (ITS) Seminars train JATC instructors, association instructors, and organization subject matter experts to increase retention of material, connect with students, and transfer critical industry knowledge to the next generation. All classes are adapted to fit the needs of each instructor group and their application to the mechanical construction industry. 

In her Leadership Development Series (LDS) Seminars for Service and Construction, management level employees and team leaders focus on building strong communication skills and self-awareness, skills that will help them to be successful leaders. 

Finally, her Financial Development Series (FDS) Seminars for Service and Construction offer customized coursework to 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. 

Like our other NEI instructors, Leah brings her unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Even during the COVID-19 era. Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members. 

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*

Learn More About Leah’s Classes

Instructor Training Series (ITS) Seminars

Leadership Development Series (LDS) Seminars for Service and Construction

Financial Development Series (FDS) Seminars for Service and Construction

*This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.

Build Your Service Company’s Relationships & Success With Skills from NEI Instructor Nancy Bandy

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Nancy Bandy, Managing Director of TRAINSITIONS Consulting Group LLC. Nancy provides service contractors and employees with the skills they need to build on the company’s relationships and success.

Nancy draws on many years of experience in training and management consulting to develop and deliver highly effective custom training programs using proven experiential learning methods.

She is well known among MSCA members and has been responsible for developing and delivering many of the MSCA courses, webinars, and other resources highly popular with MSCA members. Prior to starting her own company, Nancy’s previous experience included executive positions with Coldwell Banker, Koll Real Estate Services, CB Richard Ellis and Strategic HR Services.

She offers four NEI seminar series designed specifically for service.

The Sales Development Series (SDS) Seminars for Service series is designed for your service sales team to excel by successfully prospecting, building presentation skills and fostering strong relationships with the customer.

Employee Development Series (EDS) Seminars for Service are geared towards all team members as they focus on developing and building the skills necessary to perform their best in and out of the office.

The Management Development Series (MDS) Seminars for Service are designed for managers to hone their coaching skills through positive feedback, motivation and recognition. The seminars teach how to build accountable teams and manage the dynamic of change. Fostering the idea of team success is key.

The Customer Service Series (CSS) Seminars for Service are designed for service professionals to enhance their service skills and create a culture of service starting at the top, with emphasis on customer loyalty and managing their most valuable assets.

Like our other NEI instructors, Nancy brings her unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*

Learn More About Nancy’s Classes

Sales Development Series (SDS) Seminars for Service

Employee Development Series (EDS) Seminars for Service

Management Development Series (MDS) Seminars for Service

Customer Service Series (CSS) Seminars for Service

*This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.

Go beyond & Give Back at MSCA22 by Supporting Convoy of Hope

Since 2010, MSCA has partnered with Convoy of Hope during the Annual MSCA Education Conference to support a local organization in the community where the conference is being held with needed supplies and hands-on assistance. Over the years these organizations have included food banks, homeless shelters, rescue missions and women’s shelters. Due to the generosity of our members and local associations, we have been able to provide over $650,000 in products and services to these organizations.  

In 2022, we will support the Community Action Partnership Orange County, a charity that has worked to enhance the quality of life in their community since 1965 by seeking to end and prevent poverty. CAP OC works tirelessly to stabilize, sustain, and empower their community with the resources they need when they need them.  

Your support can help us:

  • Raise $50,000 to deliver a tractor trailer full of needed supplies to CAP OC 
  • Support volunteers that will perform much needed tasks to support the Orange County community
  • Enjoy each other’s company while we pack thousands of hygiene kits at MSCA22 during the Convoy of Hope Packing Party on October 18, 2022

Check out our 2021 project and packing party videos and then join us in supporting the Community Action Partnership Orange County. $50,000 is a lofty goal, but now is the time to go above and beyond. Checks payable to “Convoy of Hope” should be sent to MSCA, 1385 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. Thank you in advance for your support.

And don’t forget, registration is now open for MSCA22 beyond. Spots are filling up quickly, so don’t miss out! 

WiMI Conference Delivered Education & Networking

MCAA thanks everyone who attended the second annual Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference in Austin. It was a time to come together, to learn from peers in the industry, to expand networks, and to grow this incredible initiative. We are proud to have brought together such a dynamic group of women! Take a look at how the attendees spent the three jam packed days.

WiMI 2023 Conference

The 3rd 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.