PROGRAM

2024-09-25
2024-09-25
5th Avenue Room
2024-09-26
2024-09-26
Whidbey
TopGolf Renton
Grand Foyer
Grand 2 & 3
2024-09-27
2024-09-27
Seattle Aquarium
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
Grand Foyer
Grand Crescent
Grand 2 & 3
Grand 1
2024-09-28
2024-09-28
Grand Foyer
Grand 2 & 3
5th Avenue Room
Whidbey
TopGolf Renton
Grand Foyer
Grand 2 & 3
Seattle Aquarium
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
Grand Foyer
Grand Crescent
Grand 2 & 3
Grand 1
Grand Foyer
Grand 2 & 3
17:00 - 18:00 (PST)
Career Development Committee Cocktail Hour 5th Avenue Room
  • Sponsored by:
  • MILWAUKEE TOOL

Recommended attendees: Career Development Committee members, MCAA Board Members, Local Association Executives, GFF24 sponsors and speakers.

08:00 - 09:00 (PST)
Alumni Breakfast Whidbey
  • Sponsored by:
  • Southland Industries

The MCAA student chapters have been going strong for over 30 years! Alumni are encouraged to gather for breakfast prior to the official kick-off of GFF24.  

  • Registration for Alumni will be available from 7:30 – 8:00 am in the Foyer, prior to breakfast.  
  • An Alumni group photo will be taken following this informal breakfast gathering.  
12:30 - 14:15 (PST)
Registration & Snack Station Grand Foyer
  • Sponsored by:
  • NIBCO
  • ,
  • Ferguson
  • ,
  • Viega

Snack station sponsored by NIBCO
Bags sponsored by Ferguson
Shirts sponsored by Viega

Check-in, gather your swag and grab a bite at the snack station. Don’t forget to place your chapter logo on the “We’re Here” banner! 

14:30 - 15:00 (PST)
Welcome Grand 2 & 3

GFF24 kickoff and welcome from the Career Development Committee Chair, Andrew Palcan and MCAA President, Rick Gopffarth. Conference ground rules and expectations will also be reviewed.  

Speakers
Welcome image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
Welcome image
Rick Gopffarth
VP of Preconstruction, Dynamic Systems, Inc. | MCAA President
15:00 - 16:00 (PST)
Moving the Needle – Panel Grand 2 & 3

What does the future hold for a career in the construction industry? How will your contributions help shape the future? Will mechanical lead the way? Listen in during this panel discussion for insights into technology, sustainability and the educational opportunities that will move the needle for your career in mechanical contracting.   

Speakers
Moving the Needle – Panel image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
Moving the Needle – Panel image
Michael Evans
Talent Learning, MILWAUKEE TOOL
Moving the Needle – Panel image
Sarabeth Gandara
Preconstruction Manager, U.S. Engineering Construction
Moving the Needle – Panel image
Andrew Nguyen
Applications Engineer, W.E. Bowers
16:00 - 16:15 (PST)
Trivia Announcement Grand 2 & 3

Work together with your school over the course of GFF24 to answer trivia-style questions related to mechanical contracting. Topics will range from resources to help your team with the MCAA Student Chapter Competition, to historical construction facts, and even a few hidden easter eggs that will be mentioned throughout the conference.  

The winning student team will receive a $1,000 prize. Then the student winners vs alumni team will go head-to-head from their scores to reveal the ultimate trivia champions and the opportunity to name a charity of choice for a $500 donation.   

Prizes will be awarded on Saturday morning. The team must be present to win.  

Speakers
Trivia Announcement image
Shannon Nicklaus
Professor, Pittsburg State University
Trivia Announcement image
Ryan Manuel
Assistant Professor of Practice, Purdue University
16:15 - 16:45 (PST)
Break

This is the time to return anything you don’t want to bring with you on the bus to your hotel room. Check the weather and potentially grab a jacket! TopGolf is an outdoor event.  

16:45 - 17:45 (PST)
Mastering the Swing of Social Etiquette Grand 2 & 3

Navigate the greens with golf and grace. What’s the proper etiquette for paying the bill during a business event? Is it polite to excuse yourself for a work call? What are tips and tricks for maintaining professionalism at events with open bars? When is it ok to decline an invitation? Learn how to be a master of casual conversation by knowing a little about a lot of topics…including golf basics! Prior to heading to TopGolf, we’ll go over golf lingo and traditional course etiquette to keep everyone from scoring a bogey at a social outing.  

Speakers
Mastering the Swing of Social Etiquette image
Krista Ebbens
EVP HR and General Counsel, J.F. Ahern Co.
Mastering the Swing of Social Etiquette image
Darren Black, PGA
Director of Instruction, TopGolf
17:45 (PST)
Bus Loading
18:00 - 18:45 (PST)
Bus Ride to TopGolf Renton
  • Sponsored by:
  • ACCO Engineered Systems
18:45 - 21:45 (PST)
TopGolf Renton TopGolf Renton
  • Sponsored by:
  • Procore

Time to test out your new business event skills with an evening of TopGolf, mocktails and dinner.  

21:45 - 22:15 (PST)
Return to The Westin Seattle
07:15 - 07:30 (PST)
Job Fair Prep: For Employers Grand 2 & 3

All employers should gather briefly to review the unique procedures for the Job Fair. Helpful MCAA resources will be highlighted, such as the GreatFutures Job Board, tips for submitting an Internship Grant, and where to find the Internship Guide, which is packed full of how to’s for where to start if your company hasn’t previously employed an intern.  

Following this session, be sure to promptly check-in at the Employer Desk. A new visual display will be utilized this year to assist the students with knowing who is represented and where each company is primarily located.  

Speakers
Job Fair Prep: For Employers image
Kurt Voss
Vice President - Engineering, Integrated Facility Services
07:45 - 08:00 (PST)
Job Fair Prep: For Students Grand 2 & 3

All students should gather briefly before the Job Fair doors open for a quick-hit session of tips and tricks on networking, specifically geared towards the job fair environment.  

Speakers
Job Fair Prep: For Students image
Anne Finerfrock
W.E. Bowers, Vice President
Job Fair Prep: For Students image
Robin Cowper
Executive Director, MCA of Western Washington
08:00 - 09:30 (PST)
Job Fair and Breakfast Grand 1
  • Sponsored by:
  • MCA Western Washington

Breakfast sponsored by MCAWW

This is not your traditional job fair! Identifiers will be distributed to signify if you’re looking for (or offering) an internship, full-time job, or if you’re just there for the bacon breakfast. Mingle and move your way through delicious breakfast stations, share contact info via your name badge QR code, and find your employment match in this fun and relaxed environment. A breakout room will also be available for employers who are looking to have a quick on-site interview.  

  • Students – please wear your GreatFutures shirt that will be provided at registration.
  • Employers – please wear a shirt with your company logo on it. 

We will not be utilizing stationary booths. Please do not bring trinkets, handouts, or backdrops. Everyone will be moving around the room throughout the event. New this year will be ‘pop-up corners’ to assist in finding connections more quickly for specialized employment needs.   

09:30 - 09:45 (PST)
Beverage Break Grand Foyer
  • Sponsored by:
  • CPMCA
09:45 - 10:50 (PST)
Innovation – An Intertwined Future Grand 2 & 3

Thank you to MCAA WiMI for sponsoring this session.

Introduction with Stacy Johnson

Discover the process for pushing an initial spark of an idea into a widely accepted industry standard with a TED talk speaker who already has a decade of experience and influence in the tech world, yet is only 20. Google Developer Expert for Machine Learning and AI & Software Architect for IBM Watson Apps, Tanmay Bakshi, will share how to identify useful patterns across different domains to create impactful solutions within previously undefined intersecting fields. Tanmay will also utilize live demonstrations to take attendees on a journey to a prediction for the future workplace. Will it be full of robot overlords or a cohesive vision where the past, present and future of technology is intertwined? Listen in (be kind to your Siri/Google) and learn how to create lasting positive change. 

Speakers
Innovation – An Intertwined Future image
Stacy Johnson
President, Auburn Mechanical | MCAA Women in the Mechanical Industry Committee
Innovation – An Intertwined Future image
Tanmay Bakshi
Keynote Speaker
10:50 - 11:00 (PST)
Break
11:00 - 12:00 (PST)
Competition Skills: Takeoff Basics Grand 2 & 3

Takeoffs have to start somewhere. Learn what to pre-prepare in advance, how to keep organized throughout the process, and what to do when you get stuck along the way.  

MCAA offers student chapter members complimentary utilization of WebLEM (web-based labor estimating manual), which can be used as a useful tool for the student chapter competition. This session will cover WebLEM basics, as well as how to import the data into Trimble Estimation MEP, which is also provided as a complimentary resource for the competition.  

Speakers
Competition Skills: Takeoff Basics image
Justin Blackledge
Project Manager, The Waldinger Corporation
Competition Skills: Takeoff Basics image
Ron King
Director NCPWB & WebLEM, MCAA
11:00 - 12:00 (PST)
Faculty Advisor/Industry Advisor Meeting Grand Crescent

Meeting for Faculty Advisors and Industry Advisors to discuss upcoming student chapter opportunities, review policies, and share best practices.  

Speakers
Faculty Advisor/Industry Advisor Meeting image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
12:00 - 13:00 (PST)
Lunch Buffet Grand 2 & 3
  • Sponsored by:
  • Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
13:00 - 13:45 (PST)
2024-2025 Competition Introduction Grand 2 & 3

Student chapter competition details will be reviewed, plus time will be available for Q&A 

Speakers
2024-2025 Competition Introduction image
Michael F. Russo
Chief Operation Officer, Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp.
2024-2025 Competition Introduction image
Sarabeth Gandara
Preconstruction Manager, U.S. Engineering Construction
2024-2025 Competition Introduction image
Scott Hinton
Executive Vice President, Enerfab Power and Industrial
2024-2025 Competition Introduction image
Chris Milone
Project Executive, Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp.
13:45 - 14:00 (PST)
Break Grand Foyer
14:00 - 14:45 (PST)
Trivia Work Time Grand 2 & 3

Students not in attendance at the Student Chapter President Meeting will have time to work on trivia questions. Everyone should also take advantage of this time to submit a scholarship application from the provided on-site QR code.  

Non-students are encouraged to utilize this time to check-in at the office and catch up on work prior to heading offsite for the duration of the afternoon. 

14:00 - 14:40 (PST)
Student Chapter President + 1 Meeting Grand Crescent

Each chapter may send up to 2 representatives (Student Chapter President + 1 additional future leader) 

Speakers
Student Chapter President + 1 Meeting image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
14:45 - 15:00 (PST)
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions Tour Information Grand 2 & 3

Review of safety guidelines and tour logistics. 

Closed toe shoes and long pants are required for the tour.   

Speakers
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions Tour Information image
Rory Olson
President, Building Services – MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
15:00 - 15:15 (PST)
Break & Bus Loading for Tour

This is the time to return anything you don’t want to bring with you on the bus to your hotel room. Check the weather and potentially grab a jacket! The tour is indoor/outdoor and the aquarium will start with a mocktail hour on the pier before heading indoors.  

15:15 - 15:30 (PST)
Bus Ride to MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
  • Sponsored by:
  • ACCO Engineered Systems
15:30 - 18:00 (PST)
Tour of MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions is a leading full-service design-build commercial mechanical contractor in the Pacific Northwest.  With 12 offices across Washington and Oregon and a 100,000 sq. ft. fabrication shop, they specialize in HVAC and plumbing solutions for commercial buildings and critical environments, including research and development, life sciences, healthcare, and data centers.

The tour will highlight the lean manufacturing principles embedded into their daily shop logistics, showing the productivity, pride and use of technology within their sheet metal, fitting and plumbing trades.  Attendees will experience how MacMiller utilizes innovative technologies, including virtual reality solutions.  Learn about their commitment to sustainable energy and expertise in engineering and smart building services by going hands-on in their controls systems training lab.  Get ready to experience the culture and innovative work at MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, a leader in the mechanical industry.

18:00 - 18:30 (PST)
Bus Ride to Seattle Aquarium
  • Sponsored by:
  • ACCO Engineered Systems
18:30 - 09:30 (PST)
Seattle Aquarium and Dinner Seattle Aquarium
  • Sponsored by:
  • Victaulic

Dinner sponsored by Victaulic

The evening will begin with a mocktail hour on the historic pier, followed by a buffet dinner and time to leisurely explore the exhibits inside the Seattle Aquarium.  

21:30 - 21:45 (PST)
Return to The Westin Seattle
07:00 - 07:45 (PST)
Breakfast & Submit Trivia (by 7:45 AM) Grand 2 & 3
  • Sponsored by:
  • DeWALT

Make sure your team submits your trivia answers by 7:45 AM.

07:45 - 08:45 (PST)
The Mechanical Puzzle Grand 2 & 3

Get ready to journey through the mechanical puzzle in this student requested, crash course on mechanical systems. This session will go piece by piece (literally) through a system for how it is built, connected and utilized by end-users.  

Chapters will be able to return to campus with a hands-on 2D example of a mechanical system that can be utilized for classroom demonstrations and recruiting.   

Speakers
The Mechanical Puzzle image
Kurt Voss
Vice President - Engineering, Integrated Facility Services
The Mechanical Puzzle image
Tyler Holman
Project Executive, North Mechanical Contracting, Inc.
08:45 - 09:00 (PST)
Beverage Break Grand Foyer
09:00 - 10:15 (PST)
Building Your Chapter Roundtables Grand 2 & 3

Stand up, stretch out and connect with fellow students to discuss best practices for building your student chapter. This interactive session will have you moving throughout the room and going home with a to-do list full of new ideas 

Speakers
Building Your Chapter Roundtables image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
10:15 - 10:45 (PST)
Trivia Answers & Prizes Grand 2 & 3

Trivia questions that stumped the crowd will be reviewed by three of our Career Development Committee Members, who also happen to be professors. The winning team will be announced for a $1,000 prize. Then the student winners vs alumni team will go head-to-head from their scores to reveal the ultimate trivia champions and the opportunity to name a charity of choice for a $500 donation.   

Speakers
Trivia Answers & Prizes image
Ryan Manuel
Assistant Professor of Practice, Purdue University
Trivia Answers & Prizes image
Shannon Nicklaus
Professor, Pittsburg State University
Trivia Answers & Prizes image
Marie Patterson
Chair of Construction Management, California State University, Chico
10:45 - 11:00 (PST)
Final Wrap-Up & Survey Grand 2 & 3

Be sure to stick around to the VERY end of GFF24. Students who fill out the survey and show the completion screen to our committee members will receive a gift cardWho doesn’t love a free lunch?  

Speakers
Final Wrap-Up & Survey image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
11:00 (PST)
Hotel Checkout
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