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6:15 a.m. | Shuttle Departs For Falconhead Golf Club
6:15 a.m. | Shuttle Departs For Avery Ranch Golf Club
7:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. | Shotgun Start
The Annual Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, March 2, 2025, with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. This year we will be playing two beautiful courses, Falconhead Golf Club and Avery Ranch Golf Club.
Just west of Austin stands Falconhead Golf Club, which truly rises to meet the promise of its handsome site in the famous Hill Country of Texas. This is the perfect land for golf and Falconhead is the perfect layout for the Austin landscape. From their knobby oaks and cedars to their rolling hills to their creeks and ponds, Falconhead is an Austin golf course that stands above all others.
Avery Ranch Golf Club is Texas Hill Country golf at its finest. Running along Lake Avery, the 18th is Austin’s best finishing hole and provides a unique view of the Texas Hill Country. It was rated as the “Top Luxury Course” in Central Texas by Avid Golfer Magazine and earned 4.5 stars and “Best Places to Play” distinctions by Golf Digest.
Please register for the tournament during the convention registration process. You will also have the opportunity to secure rental clubs and indicate your pairing preference.
6:45 a.m. | Shuttle Departs for Eastside Paddle Club
7:00 a.m. | Registration, Breakfast & Warm Ups
8:00 a.m. | Pickleball Tournament
12:00 p.m. | Shuttle Returns to JW Marriott
The 4th Annual Pickleball Tournament is always a fun convention event for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Complete this form to register in advance and save your spot today.
Registration and breakfast will be available at 7:00 a.m. Pickleball will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 11:30 a.m. The Eastside Paddle Club is approximately 15 minutes from the JW Marriott. Transportation will be provided.
6:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast, Photos, Registration, Waivers, and Bib Collection at the JW Marriott
9:00 a.m. | Bus Boarding
9:20 a.m. | Shuttle Departs for The Driveway Motorsports Track
9:40 a.m. | Self Warm-Up, Intro & Safety Briefing
10:00 a.m. | Shotgun Start
11:30 a.m. | Shuttle Returns to JW Marriott
Enjoy the beauty of an Austin morning as you embark on a competitive 5k run or a less competitive one-mile walk. From the complimentary t-shirt to the warm-up exercises to the continental breakfast, everyone—participants and spectators alike—has fun at this annual event.
Curious which chapters are at MCAA25? Stop by the Connection Corner lounge to network with students during session breaks and note the “We’re Here” banner for a list of represented universities.
This space is perfect for both contractor/student casual employment conversations as well as student peer-to-peer meetups for chapters looking to discuss best practices and share ideas.
On Tuesday morning, connect with students at the Job Fair, located in the Griffin Hall Foyer.
On Sunday, students and faculty will have their own registration desk in the foyer outside of Orientation. Schools arriving on Saturday may visit the Sports Desk (1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) for onsite Fun Run/Walk and Pickleball registration, although advanced sport activity registration is strongly recommended.
First timers to veteran twenty-year advisors are all encouraged to attend this brief meeting to review upcoming calendars and deadlines and learn about new resources, such as the Student Chapter Recruitment Guide.
PLEASE NOTE:
Faculty Advisors = On-Campus Advisor
Industry Advisors = Local Association Exec or designated MCAA Member Advisor
Students and faculty will review MCAA25 program highlights and logistics, plus an alumni panel will share their personal roadmaps for creating a successful convention experience. The Marco Polo matching game will also return (with prizes)—don’t be late! This peer-to-peer networking game is somewhat chaotic, but that’s all part of the fun!
Student chapter members and advisors are encouraged to head over to the Networking Reception immediately following Orientation to continue building their peer-to-peer relationships. Anyone involved with a student chapter or wanting to be involved is welcome to attend. Swing by and say hello to the future leaders of MCAA!
Shine your boots, pack your denim and ten-gallon and giddy up to the Sunday Opening Party Saloon. At MCAA25 the Opening Party will be 100% Texas from the drinks to the food to the foot-stomping entertainment. This party marks the official start to MCAA25 and it’s a party you won’t want to miss. Catch up with old friends and make new ones while flaunting your best Texas look.
Beverages Sponsored by SIEMENS
Dinner Sponsored by GF Uponor
Souvenir Photos Sponsored by EVAPCO, Inc.
Souvenir Western Hats Sponsored by Procore
Curious which chapters are at MCAA25? Stop by the Connection Corner lounge to network with students during session breaks and note the “We’re Here” banner for a list of represented universities.
This space is perfect for both contractor/student casual employment conversations as well as student peer-to-peer meetups for chapters looking to discuss best practices and share ideas.
On Tuesday morning, connect with students at the Job Fair, located in the Griffin Hall Foyer.
Doors Open at 7:45 a.m.
Start the week off with President Rick Gopffarth’s reflections on the past year and what he envisions for MCAA’s future, followed by remarks from United Association General President Mark McManus on the UA’s initiatives.
Jeremy Gutsche possesses a unique perspective on innovation in the business context and draws on his background in both corporate strategy and AI to provide you with inspiration and tools to generate ideas, stimulate creativity and unlock potential. Jeremy is a creative globe-roamer with a broad appeal—an ambassador of transformational leadership for major groups.
His website TrendHunter.com is the largest, most influential, most updated collection of cutting-edge ideas available anywhere. Imagine the insight from a focus group made up of 285 million people. That’s Trend Hunter—its custom innovation advisory is changing the way the world’s most powerful brands innovate. As its founder, Jeremy relentlessly tracks and finds “The Next Big Thing”—that valuable but elusive commodity—for a global audience that generates millions of views a month. With phenomenal speed, he has grown Trend Hunter into a trusted showcase for “what’s next” in marketing, design, technology and other categories.
Shannon discusses how the gold medal mindset leads to victory on the competition floor, in the boardroom and in our personal lives. With seven Olympic medals, Shannon uses her critical insight to share what it takes to be a winner: the importance of goal setting, teamwork, maintaining a positive attitude and commitment to excellence. Through her Olympic and personal experiences, Shannon explains ways we can overcome even the most difficult obstacles standing in the way of our success. While she may not have been the most talented, flexible or even the strongest athlete, Shannon Miller was able to use these concepts to become one of the The Most Decorated Olympic Gymnasts in United States history! Your audience will leave empowered to seal the deal with that next client, work together for a positive outcome and understand the steps it takes to be a successful leader in work and life.
There are many things impacting our industry and us as mechanical contractors—more than ever before. We are continuously navigating uncertain times in the construction industry, trying to succeed in the aftermath of supply chain challenges and facing unrealistic manpower and scheduling needs, all while overseeing the daily demands of our companies, employees and families. In many instances, we can’t do it all and sometimes fall short. This highly interactive session is designed with that busy mechanical contractor in mind.
Led by MCAA’s esteemed volunteer leaders, Curtis Harbour (MCAA Executive Committee), Robert Beck (MCAA Executive Committee & Past President), Brian Helm (MCAA Past President) and Mark Rogers (MCAA Past President), attendees will have the opportunity to learn how these contractors manage to successfully juggle their own obstacles in the field and on the home front. Attendees should come prepared to share and discuss these and their own problems and triumphs and pass on their tricks and knowledge that make them successful not only in our industry, but also as a person.
By listening and learning from each other, attendees will walk away with their own plan to excel in and out of the office.
Leadership isn’t about managing the present—it’s about creating a scalable future. In this session, Dr. Valutis explains how and why you need to rethink your job and evolve your model for growth. This session challenges conventional approaches to people, leadership, and scaling a business. In doing so, Chip targets several aspects of your mindset and perspectives for leading a business. More specifically, he’ll help you to evolve your leadership approach:
These subtle but powerful transformations culminate into a compelling playbook to help you navigate the complexities of growth. You’ll leave the session with a clear understanding how you must make deliberate and targeted efforts to turn down the distracting noise in your day so you can Find Your Rhythm toward predictable profits! Join Dr. Valutis and build a mindset and toolbox to achieve scalable growth and predictable profits.
2025 looks to be a year of recovery for some markets and real growth for others, while still others can expect a measure of cyclical decline. Attendees will be able to see the future before it is here so scarce resources can be properly allocated. Tracking the leading indicators and being nimble as plans are drawn for beyond 2025 is imperative.
The winds of growth, inflation and interest rates are likely to shift as we go beyond 2025. We will present our forecasts for inflation and interest rates as well as our outlook for the forces that drive your markets. This outlook will require a change in perspective so that you can successfully plan and change to maximize your profits in the near and longer term.
A good project manager knows how to steer smooth projects to a healthy bottom line. A superstar project manager also knows how to achieve great results on the turbulent projects. Construction lawyers Dan Fierstein and Matt Gioffre have guided contractors through numerous such projects. They are eager to identify early warning signs of a problem project and teach project managers the techniques to become superstars.
Attendees will learn how to:
Doors Open at 12:05 p.m.
Lunch Served 12:10 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Kendall Toole is a lightning rod of energy, natural-born fighter and dynamic athlete who knows how to harness the collective attention in any room. Kendall is a top fitness instructor, community builder, mental health advocate, content creator and lifestyle entrepreneur on a purpose-driven mission to empower others. Kendall has quickly become one of the most influential names in health/fitness and has amassed a loyal fanbase through her ability to stay “Never Knocked Out.” Outside of fitness, Kendall advocates for causes close to her heart. She’s most passionate about destigmatizing mental health and standing as a change-maker for how society approaches 360 wellness. Kendall is fueled by leaving a positive mark on fans by motivating those around her to find their voice and believe in their inner strength.
Shannon discusses how the gold medal mindset leads to victory on the competition floor, in the boardroom and in our personal lives. With seven Olympic medals, Shannon uses her critical insight to share what it takes to be a winner: the importance of goal setting, teamwork, maintaining a positive attitude and commitment to excellence. Through her Olympic and personal experiences, Shannon explains ways we can overcome even the most difficult obstacles standing in the way of our success. While she may not have been the most talented, flexible or even the strongest athlete, Shannon Miller was able to use these concepts to become one of the The Most Decorated Olympic Gymnasts in United States history! Your audience will leave empowered to seal the deal with that next client, work together for a positive outcome and understand the steps it takes to be a successful leader in work and life.
No matter the type of organization, regardless of how big or small, the culture what makes that organization effective. Research shows that culture is not only a differentiator, but also an asset!
Culture impacts everything we do, everything we are and everything we become. It even impacts the bottom line of your company. More importantly it impacts the health and safety—physical and psychological—of the people in that organization. A person’s quality of life is directly influenced and heavily impacted by their work culture.
Yet it is the one thing we seem to have the toughest time creating and maintaining. Culture is defined by the individuals on your team—their personalities, their values and their weirdness. How do we navigate through all that to create the kind of culture that will sustain into the future and help people be their best?
No matter what you have thought about team and culture before, it is time to RETHINK!
As family-owned contracting businesses grow and evolve, so too must their approach to business management. This session will delve into the critical need for a robust data strategy to drive success in the modern construction landscape. Moving beyond the traditional focus on low margins and labor management, this session will highlight how managing project data, leveraging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and homing in on productivity can revolutionize your business operations.
The Black Swan Method is a communication approach designed to demonstrate tactical empathy, build rapport and achieve trust-based influence. Negotiation isn’t just for hostage situations. Whenever there’s a want or need involved, you’re in a negotiation. You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of our core skills, the purpose and how they can be used.
Jim and Foster McCarl, a dynamic father and son duo, share the rich history of the last 80 years of McCarl’s, Inc. and the enduring legacy of the McCarl Family. Through their experiences, they will share best business practices implemented and managed throughout the company’s growth. Providing engaging anecdotes and firsthand accounts, attendees will gain insight into the values that fuel success.
Come see the latest products and services emerging in our industry. Representatives of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council will be available to meet and discuss experiences with their products and services.
This is your opportunity to gain new insights and knowledge about how your business can grow with products and services that cut costs, save time and reduce errors. You’ll learn how innovation could move you ahead of your competition and onto new levels of success. You may even discover a new approach to using software or a device in the office, or in the field, which will significantly increase productivity and bottom-line results.
It’s all about relationship building. At MCAA, our Manufacturer/Supplier Council members are equal members of our association and participate in many events. Their executives build deep and lasting relationships with many of our contractor members. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with them!
A continental breakfast will be available.
Curious which chapters are at MCAA25? Stop by the Connection Corner lounge to network with students during session breaks and note the “We’re Here” banner for a list of represented universities.
This space is perfect for both contractor/student casual employment conversations as well as student peer-to-peer meetups for chapters looking to discuss best practices and share ideas.
On Tuesday morning, connect with students at the Job Fair, located in the Griffin Hall Foyer.
In this interactive 60-minute training session, participants will explore the concept of discomfort in professional settings, learn about the 4 Lenses personality framework and apply these insights to manage challenging conversations more effectively. Through a combination of presentations, group discussions, personal reflection and role-playing activities, attendees will gain a practical understanding of how different personalities perceive and deal with discomfort, and how these perspectives can be navigated to foster a more empathetic and productive workplace environment.
Sponsored by Women in the Mechanical Industry
Join us for an insightful session with PCA Board members Kevin Walsh and James Lowder on how to effectively start and manage a Special Projects division within your business. This session will cover essential topics to ensure your Special Projects division becomes the most profitable part of your company.
Key Topics:
This session is a must-attend for plumbing businesses looking to diversify their services, enhance profitability and streamline their Special Projects operations!
Sponsored by Plumbing Contractors of America
Join us to learn about the benefits and pitfalls of these 4 National Agreements: National Service & Maintenance Agreement (NSMA), Pipe Fabrication Agreement (PFA), National Construction Agreement (NCA/General Presidents Agreement) and the National Maintenance Agreement (NMA).
Witness our industry’s emerging leaders as they compete in the annual MCAA Student Chapter Competition. Four teams will compete for a total prize package of $26,500, sponsored by DEWALT Industrial Tool Company, with the first-place team going home with $10,000! These accomplished students secured their Final Four spot by submitting a written proposal that rose to the top of 25+ chapter submissions for a real-world project bid (contributed by Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation – Fresh Meadows, NY).
Students will display their impressive presentation skills and insightful knowledge of mechanical systems as they take the stage for Round 2 of the competition. Following their 10-minute formal presentation, each team will be put on the spot for an additional 10 minutes of live Q&A from the judges.
Don’t miss your opportunity to vote for the MVP—Most Valuable Presenter—and cheer on your favorite team!
Doors Open at 6:45 a.m.
Breakfast Served 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL Draft pick and former professional baseball player. Now, he is a speaker, college football analyst with ESPN and the SEC Network and has written five New York Times Bestsellers. But most importantly, he is the founder and leader of the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) whose mission is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. TTF is currently fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves in over 60 countries and counting.
Curious which chapters are at MCAA25? Stop by the Connection Corner lounge to network with students during session breaks and note the “We’re Here” banner for a list of represented universities.
This space is perfect for both contractor/student casual employment conversations as well as student peer-to-peer meetups for chapters looking to discuss best practices and share ideas.
On Tuesday morning, connect with students at the Job Fair, located in the Griffin Hall Foyer.
This transformative keynote empowers leaders and teams to deliver consistently excellent results through a culture of No Fail Trust®. Jason shares tactics, techniques and practical tools for navigating the inevitable turbulence of life and cultivating high-flying levels of empowerment, commitment and accountability across your organization.
This program is perfect for leaders and teams:
The audience will leave with:
Artificial intelligence (AI) might not put you out of business, but a contractor using AI just might. AI is transforming the construction industry, offering contractors new solutions to enhance efficiency, analysis and project management. This session will explore how AI technologies are being integrated into construction companies, providing real-world examples of their business applications. Join us to discover practical AI tools and applications that mechanical and plumbing contractors can start using today.
New AI tools are being developed and used in all areas of the business, with varying levels of success. This seminar will address the opportunities, limitations and failures of available AI tools in this rapidly changing field. Learn how to navigate this evolving landscape and leverage AI to stay competitive in the industry.
Most people, teams and organizations have a vision or a goal of something they would like to accomplish. But, from time to time, we can get “stuck” in almost every area of our lives. In this seminar, we’ll discuss the six stages that all people, teams and organizations go through, one of them being “stuck,” and how to recognize and navigate that space. We will chat about ways to navigate through “stuck” by taking the right steps for you and your organization. You’ll leave with a greater understanding of the principles and best practices that effective leaders and organizations use, leading to an enhanced level of influence, more fulfillment and satisfaction and lower stress levels.
Join us for an insightful education seminar designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to build an efficient and effective service team. Dive deep with a lively discussion on service sales, with a focus on Preventive Maintenance Agreements and how to pull through service work from your construction projects. Also, explore the crucial role of dispatchers in ensuring smooth operations and retaining your service techs.
With a panel of service contractors from the MSCA Board of Managers and MSCA Education Committee, you will hear from some of the best in the industry about how to create a cohesive and high-performing service team that drives customer satisfaction and grows your business!
Peer groups are considered one of the best forms of executive learning. They provide the opportunity to learn from top performing organizations and access the experience of successful construction leaders in your discipline and vertical markets. Peer groups offer the opportunity to have open and candid conversations about business challenges, openly benchmark against financials, compensation, insurance and other key areas to identify opportunities for improvement. The fast pace of change in our industry necessitates a broader lens and deep exposure to how other companies are adapting technology, leveraging AI, overcoming workforce shortages, improving margins and increasing the enterprise value of the company. Come explore what peer groups are all about, how best in class groups are run and the results they generate.
Learning Objectives:
This transformative keynote empowers leaders and teams to deliver consistently excellent results through a culture of No Fail Trust®. Jason shares tactics, techniques and practical tools for navigating the inevitable turbulence of life and cultivating high-flying levels of empowerment, commitment and accountability across your organization.
This program is perfect for leaders and teams:
The audience will leave with:
This program focuses on the hard choices and key strategies contractors must consider to remain relevant and competitive in a market that is struggling to attract qualified workers. Today’s contractors are attempting to market themselves more attractively to the next generation of leaders and have been focused on recruitment, retention, cultivation and development rather than overpaying for mediocre talent. Using culture as an advantage is critical in setting your company apart from the competition.
Learn the best practices of some of the industry’s top contractors, many of whom have been at this for more than ten years, placing themselves ahead of the curve. Bring your leadership team to empower them to start taking more ownership and action on these priorities. Find effective and immediate takeaways that can be integrated into your talent pipeline and development process. The next evolution of construction is already here—find out where you are on the success curve of making it work.
This presentation will help mechanical contractor managers learn how understanding the rules in the ASME B31 Piping Code can reduce risk and how subtle provisions in customer specifications can lead to unanticipated rework.
Let’s understand AI and how it applies to construction. Data and tech are maturing, so what about the NOW and the NEXT? With this panel, you will learn how best-in-class companies drive digital transformation to leverage the power of AI in HVAC System design and how AI development and use will impact facilities supporting AI’s timeline and construction schedule. Learn how to use AI to begin automating the quoting process internally. Explore where AI fits into marketing initiatives, the project scope, estimating write-ups, submittal activity and more!
This session will explore the key trends contractors are experiencing across the country, offering insights into the current market landscape. Attendees will learn about the benefits and opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the industry, as well as the challenges and roadblocks that can arise during transactions. From the buyer’s perspective, the session will address what they are seeking in potential acquisitions, and from the seller’s side, what concerns arise, particularly for those who have been long involved in the business. Additionally, we will discuss the mindset of contractors who are stepping aside after decades of involvement and whether they have concerns about the future of their companies post-sale. This comprehensive discussion will help contractors understand the market dynamics and the implications of selling or buying in today’s environment.
Two student leadership representatives from each chapter are encouraged to attend and share ideas to assist MCAA’s Career Development Committee in planning relevant experiences at the annual GreatFutures Forum, as well as give feedback on areas of needed support to elevate local and national student chapter programming.
Join your friends and colleagues at the Closing Reception hosted by MILWAUKEE TOOL, the perfect prequel to the Closing Dinner & Concert.
Hosted by MILWAUKEE TOOL
Bryan Adams has the reputation of being one the most exciting live musicians in the world. He has 17 studio albums including his latest album “So Happy It Hurts” (nominated for a Grammy), “Pretty Woman – The Musical”, Classic pt. I and pt. II, which feature new recordings of his greatest hits, released digitally and in ATMOS with Platoon, are also available physically with BMG. His song writing has garnered him numerous awards and accolades including three Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations and a Grammy Award and 20 Juno Awards.
Beverages Sponsored by Daikin Group
Curious which chapters are at MCAA25? Stop by the Connection Corner lounge to network with students during session breaks and note the “We’re Here” banner for a list of represented universities.
This space is perfect for both contractor/student casual employment conversations as well as student peer-to-peer meetups for chapters looking to discuss best practices and share ideas.
On Tuesday morning, connect with students at the Job Fair, located in the Griffin Hall Foyer.
Doors Open at 8:30 a.m.
MCAA President Rick Gopffarth will pass the gavel to his successor Brian Hughes, who will share his vision for the year ahead. We will recognize our outgoing and incoming Board of Directors and our new MCAA officers will be presented to the membership.
Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin has produced, written and co-written albums and songs that have sold more than 30 million copies for artists such as Taylor Swift, Train, Sugarland, Barenaked Ladies, Christina Perri and James Blunt, among others. He scored a #1 hit in 2005 with Howie Day’s “Collide.” In 2010, Griffin had Sugarland’s #1 Country hit, “Stuck Like Glue” which became the 11th most downloaded country music song of all time.
Recently, Kevin teamed up with fellow songwriter Sam Hollander to form Band of Merrymakers, a rotating-cast Yuletide super group featuring today’s biggest artists such as Fitz and the Tantrums, Natasha Bedingfield and Neon Trees. Kevin is also involved in artist management, publishing, creative lectures and this fall will be an adjunct professor and writer-in-residence at NYU’s Clive Davis School of Music. He is a founder and partner along with Justin Timberlake in Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, which is a two-day event in Franklin, TN.
Speaker Sponsored by Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
Located in the heart of downtown Austin, Texas, the JW Marriott Austin offers luxury comfort and sophisticated amenities. The urban resort features an on-site spa, outdoor rooftop pool, room service, seven bars, four restaurants, Starbucks and the largest guest rooms in the city with floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel is located just steps from the best attractions and entertainment options Austin has to offer.
