MCAA 2008/2009 Education Planning Guide - Mechanical ...

The Education Association Presents
2008/2009
A Year of Learning Opportunities

Green Initiative Programs
MCAA and MSCA have developed five educational offerings designed to help your company
compete successfully in the green and sustainable building marketplace. Programs provide a wide
range of content, from the basics to the technical information you will need to gain your LEED
accreditation. MCAA also provides green building elements in many of its other educational
programs—such as the High Performance Estimating Conference—so be sure to check for detailed
program information at www.mcaa.org/education.
Green 101
This unique, four-hour industry-specific course answers your most basic questions and addresses your most urgent
concerns about the growing and increasingly important green building phenomenon. Designed for contractor and
service professionals wanting to learn the basics of the subject, the course will cover topics such as: basic terms,
definitions and technologies involving green and sustainable construction. The course is taught by Tim Wentz,
associate professor at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, a registered professional engineer, a LEED Accredited
Professional, a licensed heating contractor, and a licensed master plumber with more than 20 years of industry
experience as a mechanical contractor. The seminar may be scheduled by an individual company or by an MCAA
local association. For more information, contact Dennis Langley at dlangley@mcaa.org or Tim Wentz at tim.
wentz@alltel.com.
Attendees: principals, senior management, middle managers, project managers, estimators
Location: varies
Date: varies
Fee: contact Tim Wentz at tim.wentz@alltel.com
Green Awareness Training and Certification
new for 2008
The Green Awareness Training and Certification program has been developed to help ensure all your company
employees understand this new and emerging trend and all the new terminology, equipment, technologies and
concepts associated with “green.” Special emphasis is also focused on the specification, purchase and application
of energy efficient products. After successfully completing this program and assessment, participants will receive
certification in “green mechanical awareness.” This class is designed for personnel who need a basic understanding
of today’s green movement and how it can affect their company’s operations and their interactions with customers,
suppliers, building owners and facility managers.
Attendees: service technicians, sales managers, service managers, dispatchers
Location: TBA
Dates: TBA
Fee: $475
For more information about any of these programs, and to find out what’s new in
green building, visit MCAA’s green building website at www.greencontractors.us.

Green Building Webinar Series
new for 2008
In an effort to continue MCAA’s momentum in green building education, a series of live green building webinars
will be presented in 2008 to help members compete in this expanding new market. All webinars will take place at
1:00 p.m. Eastern time. After each presentation, a copy will be archived for viewing on MCAA’s green building
website at www.greencontractors.us. Attendance is complimentary for MCAA members, but registration is necessary
at www.greencontractors.us. For more information or to register, contact Sean McGuire smcguire@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, project managers
Dates: May 22: Economic Impact of LEED – Tim Wentz
June 26: Economic Analysis of High Performance Strategies (Part II) – Matt Gregg
July 24: Water Efficiency Products and Design – Matt Gregg
Sept. 25: New Technologies, Lessons and Opportunities in European Green Building Approaches –
Jerry Yudelson
Nov. 20: Retro Commissioning – David McFarlane
Fee: Complimentary
LEED AP Prep Course – New Construction
The MCAA LEED AP – New Construction prep course is an intensive two-day course that covers every aspect of
the LEED-NC 2.2 rating system and prepares attendees to take the LEED Accredited Professional exam for new
construction. The course will cover the processes, submittal documentation, and the interworkings of integrated
systems. LEED Accredited Professional designations provide credibility with owners and create opportunities to
bid projects with sustainable systems. Registration is limited to 40 people. For more information, contact Sean
McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, middle managers, project managers, estimators
Location: Doubletree Hotel O’Hare, Rosemount, IL
Date: June 23–24, 2008
Location: Baltimore, MD
Date: October 9–10, 2008
Location: JW Marriott Houston, Houston, TX
Date: November 11–12, 2008
Fee: $745 (includes a $150 LEED NC reference guide)
LEED EB Prep Course — Existing Buildings
This 10-hour class will prepare attendees for the LEED Existing Buildings accreditation examination with an intensive
review of the USGBC and the LEED certification and rating process for existing buildings. The course includes
an in-depth overview of each LEED prerequisite and credits required for LEED EB certification. Sample exam
questions are provided and reviewed. Instructor Dave Hubka, LEED AP, an HVAC engineer with an in-depth
understanding of the LEED process, shares his knowledge and expertise in an easy to understand and practical way.
Registration is limited to 40. For more information contact Barbara Dolim at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, middle managers, project managers
Location: Philadelphia, PA; additional locations to be scheduled
Date: May 15–16; additional dates to be scheduled
Fee: $745 (includes a $150 LEED EB reference guide)
For more information about any of these programs, and to find out what’s new in
green building, visit MCAA’s green building website at www.greencontractors.us.

2008–2009
Education Planning Guide
This listing of MCAA educational events is a convenient guide to help you plan your company’s
year of knowledge and skills development. All events are presented alphabetically within
topical sections. An index of programs and audiences appears at the end of this guide. This
guide lists events scheduled after May 15, 2008. Programs that have not been finalized are noted
as “TBA.” For the latest information about selected events, please visit www.mcaa.org/education.
MAJOR EVENTS
MCAA Annual Convention
Learn, get involved, and renew relationships with fellow MCAA members while enjoying exceptional educational
workshops, riveting special sessions, outstanding exhibits, heartwarming major events, and social functions that
never fail to amaze and delight. An extensive menu of educational sessions will help you see new possibilities and
opportunities in your professional and personal life, and will enrich the quality of both. For more information, contact
Cynthia Buffington at cbuffington@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, middle management, local association executives, family members
Location: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, AZ
Date: March 1–5, 2009; Registration opens September 2008
Fee: early bird member: $1,595; early bird spouse, guest, or family member: $550
MSCA Annual Educational Conference
Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, marketing, and 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 people go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities
for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events. For more information,
contact Barbara Dolim at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, middle management, local association executives, family members
Location: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, TX
Date: October 12–15, 2008
Fee: early bird member: $875; early bird spouse or guest: $450
PCA Annual Educational Conference
The Plumbing Contractors of America conference features two full days of plumbing-related educational sessions,
with an optional site visit and walk-through of a plumbing fabrication shop. Sessions will cover green building,
developing your middle management, medical gas commissioning and optimizing CAD resources. For details, contact
Sean McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, middle management, local association executives, family members
Location: JW Marriott Houston, Houston, TX
Date: November 12–14, 2008
Fee: $595
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

SPECIAL INTEREST CONFERENCES
Affiliated Association Executives Conference
This three-day educational program is designed for affiliated association executives. The conference explores the
legal, accounting, and business operations differences between non-profit organizations and other types of businesses.
Association executives will acquire the tools to manage and operate their organizations more effectively.
For more information, contact Sean McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org.
Attendees: local association executives
Location: Equinox Hotel, Manchester, VT
Date: August 3–6, 2008
Fee: Local association executive: $395; spouse or guest: $225
Collective Bargaining Seminar
Learn negotiating techniques and constructive approaches that will improve workforce performance along with
contractor and industry competitiveness. The seminar 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. Topics covered will include: collective bargaining innovative
terms; labor law; work conditions and productivity improvements; labor contract cost/benefit analysis; and
planning successful approaches in the bargaining relationship. For more information, contact John McNerney at
jmcnerney@mcaa.org
Attendees: principals, senior management, local association executives
Location: TBA
Date: 2009
Fee: $695
High Performance Estimating Conference
Strategic Estimating: the Process, the Advantage, the Future
In today’s highly competitive construction environment, strategic estimating is increasingly important to your
company’s success. Through discussion of the strategic estimating elements of a specific project, you will leave this
conference with an enhanced ability to: make bid/no bid decisions; identify hard vs. soft costs; estimate the project
the way you are going to build it; estimate the project so you can measure productivity accurately; estimate to
gain a competitive advantage; use scope letters and final summaries; advance into selected new markets; plan
for profitability; and sell your client on value, not price. For more information, contact Cynthia Buffington at
cbuffington@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, middle management, project managers, senior estimators, sales engineers
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Dates: June 11–13, 2008
Fee: $1,095 first registrant; $895 second registrant from the same company; $795 additional registrants from
the same company
Industry Improvement Funds Conference
Learn the proper use of industry improvement funds, including ideas for beneficial programs which they can subsidize.
Each year, the theme of the conference changes; past speakers have included economic futurists, experts
on intergenerational relations, public relations specialists, attorneys, and authorities on labor-related trends in the
industry. Other issues often addressed at this conference include the duties and responsibilities of industry improvement
fund trustees, communicating with fund contributors, financial administration and objectives of a fund,
industry education/promotion, and a fund’s long- and short-range objectives. Roundtable and panel discussions
allow participants to share information on existing programs that are supported by industry improvement funds.
For more information, contact Sean McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org.
Attendees: industry improvement fund trustees, local association executives
Location: Resort at Longboat Key, Longboat Key, FL
Date: December 3–5, 2008
Fee: $495
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

Labor Relations Conference
This program, sponsored jointly by MCAA and the UA, is aimed at strengthening communication between the
two essential components of our industry—well-trained UA craftspeople and well-educated MCAA contractors.
By coming together each year, representatives of labor and management carry out their industry stewardship by
increasing mutual market opportunities. This conference will cover the latest and most comprehensive discussions
of workforce recruiting, market initiatives, performance measures, benefits education, and approaches to meet the
industry’s future workforce challenges. Sessions will include discussions of economic and labor relations issues,
updates on building trades’ initiatives and challenges, and updates on current labor/management agreements. For
more information, contact John McNerney at jmcnerney@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, local association executives and their local UA representatives
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Date: October 29–31, 2008
Fee: TBA
Legislative Conference
In our continuing effort to adapt to the rapidly changing political landscape in Washington D.C., and in anticipation
of more rapid changes in the future, the International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied
Craftworkers (ICE), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), and The Association of Union
Constructors (TAUC) are proud to hold this legislative program in conjunction with the joint labor/management
health and welfare, pension, and apprenticeship and training program trustees who attend the International
Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans (IFEBP) Annual Legislative Update. For more information, contact John
McNerney at jmcnerney@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, local association executives
Location: Washington Court Hotel, Washington, DC
Date: May 19–20, 2008
Fee: $540
Project Performance Conference
Managing Business Risks in an Uncertain Market
This highly interactive conference will allow participants to delve into the challenges inherent in today’s construction
environment. After the introduction of a real world project, participants will spend the next two and one-half
days in teams identifying, analyzing, and assessing risks prior to bidding a high performance building. Faculty
for this conference will include 2003 MCAA President Tom Williams, NEI National Director John Koontz, and
Tim Wentz, NEI and IPM faculty member and construction management professor at the University of Nebraska
– Lincoln. For more information, contact Cynthia Buffington at cbuffington@mcaa.org.
Attendees: project managers, middle management, sales engineers, estimators
Location: Orlando, FL
Date: June 2009
Fee: $995 first registrant, $795 second registrant, $695 additional registrants from same company
Safety Directors Conference
This conference is the forum for the mechanical industry’s top safety and health professionals to maintain their
professional network and learn about current issues. Presentations and discussions will focus on the most urgent
mechanical industry safety and health topics covering jobsites, regulatory affairs and legislative developments. For
more information, contact Pete Chaney at pchaney@mcaa.org.
Attendees: MCAA member and local affiliate safety professionals
Location: TBA
Dates: TBA
Fee: TBA
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

Student Chapter Summit
This two-day program exposes students to the mechanical construction, plumbing, and service industries. Students
exchange ideas on chapter development; learn about career opportunities within the mechanical construction
industry and how to find them; test their program-solving skills and mechanical knowledge in a mini competition;
and get to hear the details about the latest national student chapter competition. Tours of facilities with interesting
mechanical systems and numerous networking opportunities are featured. For more information, contact Ann
Mattheis at amattheis@mcaa.org.
Attendees: students, faculty, local association executives, principals, senior management
Location: Embassy Suites Hotel, Omaha, NE
Date: October 10–11, 2008
Fee: Complimentary
TECHNICAL OFFERINGS
Estimating Essentials
In this “working seminar,” participants will learn about issues involved in the bidding decision, the various contract
documents, what to look for in technical specifications and plans and how to organize estimate preparations.
Each participant will be assigned to a company team that will go through the complete process of bidding a
mock project. All participants must bring a laptop computer to gain access to MCAA’s WebLEM SM (the web-based
Labor Estimating Manual), a valuable tool for determining the labor required to install a mechanical system. Your
employees will also learn how to apply correction factors, how to develop an individual company’s adjustment factors,
how to calculate loss of efficiency in overtime work and much, much more. This program is offered nationally
and is also available to individual member companies and MCAA affiliates. For more information, contact Nick
Nikpourfard at nnikpourfard@mcaa.org.
Attendees: estimators, project managers, supervisors
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date: June 9–10, 2008 (sold out)
Fee: $695 for the June 2008 program; fee varies for other locations
NCPWB Technical Committee Annual Meeting
The NCPWB Technical Committee meets annually to resolve technical welding issues, develop and approve welding
procedures, review various code activities, and exchange technical information. In addition to the annual meeting,
chapter operation seminars are held every year to educate local NCPWB chapter administrators about the policies
and procedures involved in the operation of their chapters. For more information, contact Nick Nikpourfard at
nnikpourfard@mcaa.org.
Attendees: technical representatives, chapter secretaries, NCPWB chapter executives, UA Locals’ representatives
Location: Saddlebrook Resort, Tampa, FL
Date: April 19–22, 2009
Fee: TBA
Pre-Fabrication Seminar
This seminar focuses on cutting-edge fabrication applications and tours of MCAA member fabrication facilities.
Fabrication experts lead discussions on shop layout, manpower strategies, fabrication processes, automated design,
and new technologies. Participants exchange best practice ideas for tools and fabrication applications. The seminar
is limited to 80 participants. Registration will open in mid-January for this extremely popular program. To learn
more about this program, contact Cynthia Buffington at cbuffington@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management and fabrication shop personnel
Location: Oakland, CA
Date: May 2009
Fee: TBA
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

INSTITUTES
Advanced Leadership Institute
As the owner or CEO of your company, are you looking for a world-class educational experience that will hone
your entrepreneurial and leadership skills As the coach of your company’s senior executives, are you looking
for a one-of-a-kind program that will enhance their leadership and entrepreneurial talents This custom-developed
program provides participants with a leading-edge curriculum to extend and enhance the skills they will need
to lead their companies to continued success. The program offers a unique learning experience presented by the
dynamic faculty of the world-renowned Babson Executive Education at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. The
all-inclusive fee includes room, board, and airport transfers. For more information, contact Dennis Langley at
dlangley@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management
Location: Babson College, Wellesley, MA
Date: September 14–19 and November 9–14, 2008
Fee: $9,900 (all-inclusive; includes room, board, and airport transfers)
Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM)
The AIPM was established to further develop the project management skills of experienced mechanical industry
project managers. The course offers five days of intensive, advanced-level study designed to make even the most
experienced project managers more productive and their jobs more profitable. AIPM was developed in response
to continuous requests from MCAA members who had already invested in their project managers by sending
them to MCAA’s highly acclaimed Institute for Project Management (IPM). With the industry’s best instructors
leading the way, AIPM students receive in-depth, advanced level training on: Productivity, Change Order
Management, Making the Best of Difficult Situations, Creating Long-Term Customer Relationships, and Team
Building. Successful completion of the IPM and at least two years of mechanical project management experience
are recommended to ensure participants receive maximum benefit from the course. However, all seasoned project
managers are welcome. For more information, contact Pete Chaney at pchaney@mcaa.org or Beth Miller at
bmiller@mcaa.org.
Attendees: experienced, seasoned project managers
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Date: January 11–16, 2009
Fee: $2,000
Institute for Project Management (IPM)
If you’re a project manager, this is the intensive, in-depth training you’ve been searching for. In addition to 80
hours of classroom instruction, the course uses out-of-class interactive exercises to scrutinize and evaluate problems
from authentic case studies. Coursework covers every phase and aspect of a project, from pre-construction planning
and administration to job completion. This course occurs over a two-week period that is divided into two sessions.
The second week session starts several months after the first week session concludes. For more information, contact
Pete Chaney at pchaney@mcaa.org or Beth Miller at bmiller@mcaa.org.
Attendees: project managers, supervisors, estimators
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Dates: The next available IPM classes are:
IPM Class 45: April 19–23, 2009 and September 20–24, 2009
IPM Class 46: October 25–29, 2009 and January 10–14, 2010
Fee: $2,800
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

SERVICE EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Effective Sales Managers Training Program
Many people hired into these positions have established their ability as exceptional salespersons. Others were promoted
with the expectation they would motivate their staff to achieve equal levels of high performance. Proven
sales ability is important for effective sales managers, but managing a great sales team takes other special skills. This
program provides sales managers with the tools they will need to motivate and manage their sales staff to achieve
exceptional performance. Please contact Barbara Dolim for more information at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: service managers, sales personnel
Location: TBA
Date: TBA
Fee: $1,350
Evaluating the Financial Performance of Your Service Operation
Designed specifically for the HVACR service management team, this program will provide you with all the tools
you need to properly evaluate your company and obtain the most from your service sales. You will learn how to
grow your maintenance base into a booming repair and retrofit market by properly utilizing the resources you
already possess. This program will be taught by Steve Smith, senior vice president of ACCO Engineered Systems,
Glendale, CA, the popular presenter of the financial sessions at MSCA’s Service Managers Training Program. For
more information, please contact Barbara Dolim at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: principals, senior management, middle management
Location: varies
Date: TBA
Fee: $400
Selling Skills Training Program for the HVAC Industry
This intensive three-day program focuses on fine-tuning the consultative selling skills of sales personnel involved
with selling service contracts. The program addresses the unique concerns and challenges faced by mechanical service
contractors in the competitive market of selling service contracts. In addition to defining the role of today’s
salesperson, the program includes discussions on prospecting, the impact of communication, using features and
benefits to help make a sale, handling buying objections, and win-win negotiations. For more information, contact
Barbara Dolim at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: service managers, sales personnel
Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Alexandria, VA
Date: September 15–17, 2008
Fee: $1,350
Service Managers Training Program
Get the management and leadership skills you need to help your company succeed during this intensive four-day
program. Whether you have come up through the trades with little or no formal management training or you want
to enhance your management skills to become a more effective leader, this course is for you. A variety of small
group activities, assessment tools, and skills building exercises will help you apply the skills you learn in class, preparing
you to go back to the office ready to use what you’ve learned. For more information, contact Barbara Dolim
at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: service managers
Location: Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ
Date: November 10–13, 2008
Fee: $1,500
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

Programs that Come to You
The following programs may appear on your local association’s schedule and are also available for
onsite training at your company.
National Education Initiative (NEI)
Project Management Seminars
Business improvement is a continuous process. Staying ahead of the competition means committing to lifelong learning for
you and your employees and constant innovation for your business processes. Offered on the local level through MCAA
affiliated associations or individual member companies, MCAA’s half-day, one-, and two-day courses deliver industry-critical
content on a number of topics. NEI Seminar fees include all handout materials, meals and casual expenses. Other costs,
including coach air travel, automobile travel (IRS mileage rates), rental car, and/or lodging expenses will be reimbursed at
cost. For detailed information on the course offerings, visit www.mcaa.org/nei. To determine whether a seminar has been
scheduled in your area, contact your local association or contact Beth Miller at 800-556-3653 or bmiller@mcaa.org. For
pricing, please contact the instructor listed for the course in which you are interested.
Advanced Supervisory Education Seminars
These seminars are taught by John Koontz, MCAA’s national director for project management and advanced supervisory
education. John spent 15 years in a variety of positions with MCAA contractors, and then became a tenured associate
professor with Purdue University’s Department of Building Construction Management. He served as Purdue’s mechanical
construction management coordinator and has been teaching since 1992. Topics include:
• Planning Skills for Foremen
• Productivity Improvement: Material Management and Site Planning Methods
• The Foreman’s Role in Project Documentation
• Managing Labor: Coding, Tracking, and Forecasting
• Essential Management Skills for the Project Foreman
• Managing Change at the Jobsite
• Critical Leadership Skills for Project Foremen
• Successful Survival of Project Closeout
• Everyday Negotiating Skills for Jobsite Supervisors
• Managing Your Subcontractors
• Practical Time Management Skills for Foremen
• Qualities, Characteristics, and Habits of the Industry’s Best Foremen
Attendees: supervisors, foremen
Location: varies
Date: varies
Fee: contact John Koontz at john@johnkoontz.com
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For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

Claims Avoidance Seminar
Claims have long been identified as one the most significant issues that face contractors, owners and architect/
engineers. Invariably, claims create an adverse environment that often prevents long-term relationships, the foundation
of a strong company. This four-hour seminar investigates the common causes of claims, then builds on that
knowledge to generate common-sense strategies to avoid claims. Tim Wentz highlights the case materials with
recent, real-life case studies that illustrate successes and failures by contractors as they navigate the minefield
created by claims.
Attendees: principals, senior management, project managers, estimators
Location: varies
Date: varies
Fee: contact Tim Wentz at tim.wentz@alltel.com
Fundamentals of Project Management Seminars
These seminars are taught by John Koontz, MCAA’s national director for project management and advanced
supervisory education. John spent 15 years in a variety of positions with MCAA contractors, and then became a tenured
associate professor with Purdue University’s Department of Building Construction Management. He served as Purdue’s
mechanical construction management coordinator and has been teaching since 1992. Topics include:
• Conducting an Effective Turnover Meeting
• Pre-Construction Planning and its Effect on Profitability
• Productivity Improvement: Material Management and Site Planning Methods for Mechanical Projects
• Cost Control I: Fundamentals of Job Cost Control
• Project Billings and Maintaining Positive Project Cash Flow
• Contracts I: Using the Contract as a Tool for Project Management
• Time Management Skills and Managing Multiple Projects
• Effective Project Documentation
• Change Order Management I: Procedures for Successfully Managing Change Orders
• Critical Leadership Skills for Project Managers
• Change Order Management II: Analyzing, Identifying, and Calculating the Real Costs of Project Changes
• Contracts II: Analyzing, Understanding, and Managing Contract Risk
• Essential Management Skills for the Project Manager
• Negotiating I: Basic Negotiating Skills for Project Managers
• Mechanical Scheduling I: The Basics of Scheduling a Mechanical Project
• Value-Based Mechanical Project Management
• Managing the Risk of Owner Furnished Equipment
• Profitably Managing Your Subcontractors
• Successful Survival of Project Closeout
• Basic Construction Law Concepts for Mechanical Project Managers
• High Impact Communication Skills
• Best Practices of Blue Chip Mechanical Project Managers
Attendees: middle management, project managers, estimators
Location: varies
Date: varies
Fee: contact John Koontz at john@johnkoontz.com
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.
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Job Operations Seminars
expanded for 2008
These half-day seminars, taught by Kathryn Crosby, former chair of MCAA’s Project Management Committee, are
designed to help lead men, foremen, and superintendents run more profitable, less problem-prone projects.
• General Conditions of the Contract
• Knowing the Score
• The Profitability of Safety
• Construction Financial Management: It’s More Than Accounting new for 2008
• Financial Statements: What You Always Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask new for 2008
• Safety: The Foreman’s Critical Role expanded for 2008
Attendees: supervisors, foremen, middle management
Location: varies
Date: varies
Fee: contact Kathryn Crosby at kcrosby@c-2consulting.com
Project Profitability Seminars
These one-day programs are taught by 2003 MCAA President Tom Williams and focus on identifying ways to improve
project profitability.
• Jobsite Productivity: How to Protect It…How to Improve It
• How to Turn Around a Job Going Bad: A Case Study
• Reducing Cost by Changing Your Supply Chain Into a Value Chain
Attendees: senior management, key project management personnel
Location: varies
Date: varies
Fee: contact Tom Williams at tlwilliams@mckenneys.com
Strategic Management Seminars
expanded for 2008
These half-day and full- day seminars are designed to help you to strategically manage risk. Gain insights into
proven methods for developing effective strategic plans and key factors to implement and maintain them. The
series is taught by F. James (Jim) McCarl, a nationally recognized speaker with a 30-year career at the helm of
McCarl’s, Inc.
• Strategic Planning – Your Springboard to Success
• Risk Management for the Savvy Mechanical Contractor
• Cash is King
• Profit Is Not a Dirty Word new for 2008, a full day version
• Advanced Strategic Planning new for 2008, a full day version
Attendees: principals, senior management, project managers
Location: varies
Date: varies
Fee: contact F. James McCarl at fjmccarl@mccarlgroup.com
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For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT COME TO YOU
Dispatcher Professional Development Program
This popular program, taught by Nancy Bandy, is designed to help new or experienced dispatchers advance their
careers, improve job satisfaction, understand their vital role to the company and enhance their ability to effectively perform
their job and contribute to the company’s success. Custom-designed for MSCA member companies, this two-day
program has received great reviews from all participants. To determine whether a seminar has been scheduled in your
area, contact your local association or for more information, contact Barbara Dolim at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: service dispatchers, service supervisors
Location: varies
Dates: TBA
Fee: $7,500
Managing Service Projects
This class focuses on the unique job of a service project manager and how to effectively and efficiently juggle all
facets of this fast-paced and demanding position. During this seminar, the differences between a traditional new
construction project and a service project will be discussed. Through role-playing, attendees will work with a team
on a case study to gain a better understanding of all the challenges encountered during each step of the project.
This one-day program is taught by MSCA Board Member Woody Woodall and has received very high marks. To
determine whether a seminar has been scheduled in your area, contact your local association or for more information,
contact Barbara Dolim at bdolim@mcaa.org.
Attendees: middle managers, supervisors, service managers
Location: varies
Dates: TBA
Fee: $4,000
MCAA’s Online Registration is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Go to www.mcaa.org/education
2. Click on the button
3. Fill in the blanks!*
* Online registration may not be available for all meetings.
For more information visit www.mcaa.org/education or call 800-556-3653
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.
13

Your Education
at-a-Glance
PROGRAM
Principals
TARGET AUDIENCES
Senior Management
Middle Management
Project Managers
Sales
Estimators
Supervisors/Foremen
Students
Local Executives
Green Initiative Programs
Green 101 (see page 2) c c c c c c
Green Awareness Training and Certification (see page 2) c c c c
Green Building Webinar Series (see page 3) c c c c
LEED AP Prep Course - New Construction (see page 3) c c c c c c
LEED EB Prep Course - Existing Buildings (see page 3) c c c c c
Major Events
MCAA Annual Convention (see page 4) c c c c
MSCA Annual Education Conference (see page 4) c c c c
PCA Annual Education Conference (see page 4) c c c c
Special Interest Conferences
Association Executives Council Conference (see page 5)
Collective Bargaining Seminar (see page 5) c c c
High Performance Estimating Conference (see page 5) c c c c c c
Industry Improvement Funds Conference (see page 5) c c
Labor Relations Conference (see page 6) c c c
Legislative Conference (see page 6) c c c
Project Performance Conference (see page 6) c c c c
Safety Directors’ Conference (see page 6)
Student Chapter Summit (see page 7) c c c
Technical Offerings
Estimating Essentials (see page 7) c c c
NCPWB Technical Committee Annual Meeting (see page 7) c c
Pre-Fabrication Seminar (see page 7) c c c c
c
c
14
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.

TARGET AUDIENCES
This tool will help you plan for professional
development opportunities that will maximize
your return on investment.
PROGRAM
Principals
Senior Management
Middle Management
Project Managers
Sales
Estimators
Supervisors/Foremen
Students
Local Executives
Institutes
Advanced Leadership Institute (see page 8) c c
Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM) (see page 8)
Institute for Project Management (IPM) (see page 8) c c
Service Education and Training
Effective Sales Managers Training Program (see page 9) c c
Evaluating the Financial Performance of Your Service Operation (see page 9) c c c
Selling Skills Training Program for the HVAC Industry (see page 9) c c
c
Service Managers Training Program (see page 9)
Programs that Come to You
c
The following programs may appear on your local association’s schedule
and are also available for onsite training at your company.
Advanced Supervisory Education Seminars (see page 10)
Claims Avoidance Seminar (see page 11) c c c c c
c
Fundamentals of Project Management Seminars (see page 11) c c c
Job Operations Seminars (see page 12)
Project Profitability Seminars (see page 12) c c
c
Strategic Management Seminars (see page 12) c c c
Dispatcher Professional Development Program (see page 13)
Managing Service Projects (see page 13) c c
c
Please note that the information and prices noted in this catalog are subject to change.
For more information about these programs visit www.mcaa.org or call 800-556-3653 and
ask for the MCAA staff member referenced in program description.
15

2008/2009 A Year of Learning Opportunities
M A Y 2 0 0 8
15 – 16
LEED EB Prep Course for
Existing Buildings
Philadelphia, PA
19 – 20
Legislative Conference
Washington, DC
22
Green Building Webinar Series
M A Y
S M T W T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
J U N E 2 0 0 8
9 – 13
Estimating Conference
• 9 – 10, Estimating Essentials
• 11 – 13, Strategic Estimating
Indianapolis, IN
23 – 24
LEED AP Prep
Course for New
Construction
Chicago, IL
26
Green Building Webinar Series
J U N E
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
J U L Y 2 0 0 8
24
Green Building Webinar Series
J U L Y
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
A U G U S T 2 0 0 8
3 – 6
Association Executives
Conference
Manchester, VT
A U G U S T
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8
9 – 10
Women in HVACR Conference
Atlanta, GA
14 – 19
Advanced Leadership Institute
(week one)
Wellesley, MA
15 – 17
Selling Skills Training Program
Alexandria, VA
21 – 25
IPM Class 43 (week two) SOLD OUT
Austin, TX
25
Green Building Webinar Series
D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8
3 – 5
Industry Improvement Funds
Conference
Longboat Key, FL
A P R I L 2 0 0 9
S E P T E M B E R
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
D E C E M B E R
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8
9 – 10
LEED AP Prep Course for
New Construction
Baltimore, MD
10 – 11
Student Chapter Summit
Omaha, NE
12 – 15
MSCA Annual Educational
Conference
San Antonio, TX
26 – 30
IPM Class 44 (week one) SOLD OUT
Austin, TX
29–31
MCAA/UA Labor Relations Conference
Las Vegas, NV
O C T O B E R
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 9
11 – 15
IPM Class 44 (week two)
SOLD OUT
Austin, TX
11 – 16
Advanced IPM
Austin, TX
J A N U A R Y
S M T W T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8
9 – 14
Advanced Leadership Institute
(week two)
Wellesley, MA
10 – 13
Service Managers Training
Program
Scottsdale, AZ
11 – 12
LEED AP Prep Course for New Construction
Houston, TX
12 – 14
PCA Conference
Houston, TX
19 – 21
Greenbuild International Conference
Boston, MA
20
Green Building Webinar Series
M A R C H 2 0 0 9
1 – 5
MCAA Annual Convention
Scottsdale, AZ
N O V E M B E R
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
M A R C H
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
19 – 22
NCPWB Technical
Committee Annual Meeting
Tampa, FL
19 – 23
IPM Class 45 (week one)
Austin, TX
A P R I L
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
Additional 2009 Programs
Collective Bargaining Seminar • Dispatcher Professional Development Program
Evaluating the Financial Performance of Your Service Operation • Green
Awareness Training and Certification • IPM Class 45 (second week) • IPM Class
46 (first week) • Managing Service Projects • Pre-Fabrication Seminar • Project
Performance Conference • Safety Directors Conference
Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc.
1385 Piccard Drive • Rockville, MD 20850-4340
800-556-3653 • Fax 301-990-9690 • www.mcaa.org
This brochure was printed with soy-based inks
on recycled paper that contains 25% post-consumer waste.