New speakers added for MCAA 2010
February 5th, 2010Rockville, Md. — The Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc. (MCAA) has added several new speakers to the program for its upcoming annual convention,MCAA 2010—Your Bridge to Success. The convention, known for providing top-tier educational, networking and business building opportunities, will take place March 28–April 1 in San Francisco, CA.
New speakers who will provide the tools contractors need in order to meet the challenges of these tough economic times include:
• John Koontz, director of MCAA’s National Education Initiative, on the Upside of the Downturn;
• ENR’s Stephen Jones on Lessons Learned: The Keys to Building Your Bridge to Success; and
• Attorney Michael Duffee on Unfunded Pension Liability: Everything a Contractor Should Know.
Previously announced speakers Economist Brian Beaulieu and FMI’s Lee Smither will also help contractors navigate through this difficult economic period.
Lawrence P. Carr, Ph.D. is new to the lineup of speakers who will help contractors with day-to-day business challenges, such as keeping operations running smoothly and efficiently and maintaining a motivated and productive workforce. His session on Delivering Results: Managing What Matters joins those by featured presenters Keith Ferrazzi (Who’s Got Your Back?), Tom Flick (Ready for What’s Next) and Dr. Paul Stoltz (AQ—Building Exceptional Resilience).
Two new sessions will help contractors who are seeking or want to renew their LEED® credentials. New Technologies, Lessons and Market Opportunities in Water Conservation, Reuse and Recycling with Jerry Yudelson, LEED AP, will discuss the findings of a 2009 research project funded by MCAA’s Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation.
In Opportunities in Net Zero Energy Buildings, Tim Wentz, P.E., LEED AP and other industry professionals will explain this potential business opportunity.
Additional industry insiders added to the schedule to assist contractors in plotting their course to business growth are:
• Kevin Armistead, Don Brown, Jr. and Ken Durr, on How to Set Up a Peer Group
• Robert Lake and Richard Starr on Best Practices for Success in the Service Industry
• Members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council on Tips for “Buying American”
• Walter Sperko on Welding and Brazing—Are You Managing Your Risks?
• John Yale on Standard for Excellence—Taking the Next Steps
These speakers join previously announced industry insiders Lee and Terry Resnick and William Waters.
These business-oriented sessions will join presentations by these major session speakers who will inform and inspire:
• Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Opening Session speaker, will offer important insights into the Middle East conflicts and other tension-ridden areas of the world, with particular focus on how those events are affecting, and will continue to affect, our lives.
• San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary, the featured speaker for the Annual Awards Breakfast, will tell us how his dogged determination to be the best helped him climb to the pinnacle of professional football.
• U.S. Airways Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger will share how he faced “the unthinkable” head on when he landed Flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River in
January 2009.
• Los Angeles Times Columnist Steve Lopez, the Spouse Breakfast speaker, will share his very personal story about Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless, Julliard-trained musician who became his friend and the inspiration for his best-selling, non-fiction book and related movie, The Soloist.
• Matt Weinstein, who lost his life savings to Bernie Madoff, will share how he survived and learned some valuable life lessons about what’s really important.
Contractors will also have ample time to catch up with friends and business colleagues during sensational social events, participate in a bit of friendly competition during the annual sporting events and see the latest innovations and technologies during the Annual Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit.
To learn more about MCAA 2010, take a guided video tour with MCAA President Lonnie Coleman at www.mcaavideo.org. For complete program and schedule details, visit www.mcaa.org/mcaa2010.