November 12, 2012

Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada conference begins in Hawaii

OTTAWA

Contractors from across Canada will converge in Maui Nov. 12 to 15 for the 71st annual national conference of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) .

The theme of this year’s event, being held at the Hyatt Regency Maui, is “3Ps to Success: productivity, profitability, (in) paradise.”

MCAC president Richard McKeagan said the association felt the theme was an apt one, given that two of the major elements necessary for businesses to survive are increased productivity and adequate profitability.

“As we are having our conference on the beautiful island of Maui, which some say is definitely paradise, it was simple to come up with the theme,” he said.

“Seminar content also relates to profitability and productivity.”

The conference features a mix of business and social events.

Keynote speaker at the opening breakfast is Jeff Salz, an anthropologist, explorer, mountaineer, author and television personality.

Also on the agenda are four educational sessions.

Consultant Perry Danishgari is scheduled to address the topic of reducing labour composite rates by segregation of work.

Janaka Ruwanpura, a professor at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary, will give two presentations: one on innovative technological tools to improve construction productivity; and the second on the role of a construction productivity improvement officer.

Awad Hanna, a professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will focus on achieving greater project success and profitability through pre-construction planning.

Also at the conference, the Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada will host a one-day forum.

The topic is energy services, with a focus on energy assessment. Speakers will include Steve Horwood, business development manager at Black & McDonald and Alan Sutton, senior associate – integrated asset management at Stantec Consulting Inc.

Various awards will be presented at the annual Mechanical Contractors Network breakfast.

More than 375 people are expected to attend the conference.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada represents close to 1,000 companies.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

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