Sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL
Casual cocktail hour for MCAA Career Development Committee Members, MCAA Board Members, Affiliated Association Executives, MCAA Staff, GFF25 Sponsors and Speakers
Sponsored by Southland Industries
The MCAA student chapters have been going strong for over 30 years! Alumni and Career Development Committee Members are encouraged to gather for breakfast prior to the official kick-off of GFF25.
Name Badges will be available prior to breakfast (Tucson Foyer) at 7:30 AM. An Alumni group photo will be taken at 9:00 AM.
Sponsored by Aquatherm LP
Check-in, gather your swag and grab a bite at the snack station. Don’t forget to place your student chapter logo on the “We’re Here” banner and get a group photo at the selfie station.
Join us for the official kickoff of GFF25 in Salt Lake City! Conference ground rules, expectations and ‘must know’ details will also be reviewed.
Students: Please reference the sticker number on your badge for your table assignment and start your week off with peer-to-peer networking with your tablemates.
Non-Students: Please sit at any table without a number.
Learn about the Mountains of Opportunity in front of you in the mechanical contracting industry, but with a twist. Panelists will play Hot Potato while answering industry specific lighting round style questions from our FaciliTATER.
We love a good theme and have a few additional SPUDtacular plans to keep the session fresh, yet educational.
Trivia Sponsored by Watts
Work together with your school teammates over the course of GFF25 to answer trivia 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 messages mentioned throughout the conference.
The winning team will receive a $1,000 prize. The top student score will then go head-to-head vs an alumni team 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.
Sponsored by F. W. Webb Company
We love a good theme. Enjoy the potato chips!
What happens when you say “NO”? That depends. The situation of who you’re talking to and exactly what you’re saying “no” to matters, but these frequently aren’t the most important parts of a conversation arc to consider.
During this session, learn how to leverage the power of saying “no” gracefully and appropriately without burning bridges. Skills will be reviewed for building a reputation as a team player, which can ultimately create a less stressful work-life balance where your employer and personal needs are both met, valued, and understood upfront.
Sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL
Activity instructions and rules will be reviewed. Pay special attention because team trophies will be awarded on Friday morning.
Sponsored by Procore
Sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL
Ringleader: Michael Lee Evans
Judges: Harry Bederian, Douglas Bolton and Derick Rausch
This activity will require students to form intermixed teams to create a 3D structure out of toilet paper rolls. Teams will be judged for staying within budget, schedule, utilization of required materials, and creativity.
Every building has a story and mechanical contractors get to build the heart. As members of the construction industry, what you do matters.
Throughout the challenge, teams will practice hands on educational concepts, build peer-to-peer relationships with students from other schools, have the opportunity to promote their chapter/the industry via larger than life TP structure selfie posts, and make an impact on the local community. Following the event, the toilet paper will be loaded into box trucks and donated to local shelters in need of paper products for their residents. One of these shelters, Volunteers of America Utah, primarily serves youth ages 15-22.
This challenge was developed to intentionally create a sense of community within MCAA Student Chapters and to fill each participant’s needs for bettering tomorrow with their mind, body and hearts.
Special thanks to our partner, MILWAUKEE TOOL for the donation of $10,000 worth of toilet paper!
All employers should gather briefly to review the unique procedures for the Job Fair. Helpful MCAA resources will also be highlighted, such as the GreatFutures Job Board, tips for submitting an Employer Internship Grant, and where to find the Internship Guide.
Following this session, promptly check-in at the Employer Desk. A visual display will be utilized to assist the students with knowing who is represented in the room and the primary geographic location of each company.
Be sure to check the Who’s Here tab on the GreatFutures event page and on the event app to preview represented student chapters in attendance. This list will be available 1 week prior to the conference.
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 a job fair environment.
Before heading into the Job Fair, take a moment to view the “employer tv”. This visually displays companies represented in the room, as well as their primary geographic location.
Be sure to check the “Who’s Here” tab on the GreatFutures event page and on the event app to preview represented companies. This list will be available 1 week prior to the conference.
Breakfast Sponsored by Utah MCA
Job Fair: State Rooms – Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming
Interview Room: Cheyenne
This is not your traditional job fair! Identifiers will be distributed to signify if you’re looking for (or offering) an internship, full-time post-graduation job, or if you’re just there for the bacon themed breakfast. Mingle and move your way through delicious breakfast stations, share contact info via provided digital business cards, 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 in a quieter setting.
What to Wear & Bring
Students: Please wear your GreatFutures shirt that will be provided at registration.
Employers: Please wear a shirt with your company name / logo on it.
PRO TIP: Looking to make a particular connection?
App Message Example:
“I want to ensure I meet up with you at the Job fair. I’ll be at table #5 at 8:10AM, please let me know if this timing works to explore (insert company name)’s upcoming employment opportunities.”
Sponsored by CPMCA & Arizona MCA
Too busy networking during the Job Fair to enjoy breakfast? Stop by the foyer for grab and go items before heading into the next session.
Have questions about MCAA and the mechanical contracting industry? Listen in for news, resources and a personal message from MCAA President, Brian Hughes. Plus learn about MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry initiative.
MCAA Facts:
• 133 years old
• 2,800+ of the nation’s most professional and best qualified mechanical industry contractors
• 125 industry leading manufacturer and supplier companies
• 93 Affiliated Associations (local chapters)
• 43 student chapters
Sponsored by MCAA’s WiMI
Vince Poscente went from recreational skier to Winter Olympian in four short years. His high-energy story on skis is packed with humor, heart and tangible skills that can be applied to all aspects of life, but specifically when wanting to make an impact as a fresh new employee or intern.
Takeaways:
Trivia Sponsored by Watts
Students not attending the Student Chapter President +1 Meeting will have time to work on trivia questions with their school. Everyone should also take advantage of this time to submit a JRGF Scholarship Application from the QR code available onsite. Over $100,000 in scholarships were distributed to MCAA Student Chapter Members during the 2025 Convention.
If you don’t apply… you won’t win!
Non-student attendees are encouraged to utilize this time to check-in at the office and catch up on work prior to heading offsite for the afternoon and evening.
Sponsored by Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
Get ready for round 2 of 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 all return to campus with a hands-on 2D example of a mechanical system that can be utilized for classroom demonstrations and recruiting.
Mechanical Service & Systems, Utah’s largest full-service locally owned union mechanical contractor, provides comprehensive solutions encompassing construction (new build and retrofit for wet and dry side systems), service (HVAC and industrial boilers), pipe fabrication, and controls. The company prioritizes safety across its operations, serving sectors including data centers, medical, mining, sporting venues, commercial, and industrial.
The tour will feature the principles, practices, and highlights of Mechanical Service & Systems’ 40-year history. Students will browse the 8,800 sq foot pipe fabrication shop, hear from the MSS sales, operations, and detailing/BIM teams, as well as their UA apprenticeship partners, the Utah Career Center, for how they strive to be a force for good in the industry.
Review of safety guidelines and tour logistics.
Closed toe, rubber sole shoes are required for the Utah Olympic Oval portion of the tour. Long pants and a light jacket are also highly recommended.
Meeting for Faculty Advisors and Industry Advisors to discuss upcoming student chapter opportunities, review policies, and share best practices.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is transforming how mechanical contractors plan, coordinate, and execute projects. This session will explore how to harness BIM effectively through the lens of a mechanical contractor, focusing on two critical components: the VDC Management Flow Chart and BIM Coordination Best Practices.
Attendees will gain insights into how a structured VDC workflow can streamline project delivery, improve collaboration, and reduce rework. We’ll walk through a practical flow chart that outlines key decision points and responsibilities across the project lifecycle. The session will also cover proven coordination strategies—what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid common pitfalls in multi-trade environments.
Whether you’re just starting with BIM or looking to refine your current processes, this session will provide actionable guidance to elevate your coordination game and deliver better project outcomes.
Time to return anything you don’t want to bring with you on the bus to your hotel room. A light jacket and long pants are highly recommended. Closed-toe rubber sole shoes are required to participate on the rink at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Transportation Sponsored by ACCO Engineered Systems
Mechanical Service & Systems, Utah’s largest full-service locally owned union mechanical contractor, provides comprehensive solutions encompassing construction (new build and retrofit for wet and dry side systems), service (HVAC and industrial boilers), pipe fabrication, and controls. The company prioritizes safety across its operations, serving sectors including data centers, medical, mining, sporting venues, commercial, and industrial.
The tour will feature the principles, practices, and highlights of Mechanical Service & Systems’ 40-year history. Students will browse the 8,800 sq foot pipe fabrication shop, hear from the MSS sales, operations, and detailing/BIM teams, as well as their UA apprenticeship partners, the Utah Career Center, for how they strive to be a force for good in the industry.
Transportation Sponsored by ACCO Engineered Systems
Dinner Sponsored by Victaulic
The evening will begin with a rink side dinner buffet. We will then split into 2 groups and then switch:
Group A – Behind the scenes tour of the mechanical systems
Group B – Curling and ice activities
The Utah Olympic Oval “The Fastest Ice on Earth” was built in 2001, just in time for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The five-acre venue houses Utah’s only 400-meter speed skating oval and two international-sized ice sheets. Today, the Utah Olympic Oval is a dynamic multi-use facility focused on developing and growing participation in ice sports. The 2034 Winter Olympic Games are also slated to return to Salt Lake City!
Breakfast Sponsored by DEWALT
Trivia Sponsored by Watts
Submit your trivia by 7:45 AM.
Tune in for some special announcements to kick-off our final day of the GreatFutures Forum!
Ever play musical chairs? 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.
Trivia Sponsored by Watts
Trivia questions that stumped the crowd will be reviewed by two of our Career Development Committee Members, who also happen to be professors.
The winning team will receive a $1,000 prize. The top student score will then go head-to-head vs an alumni team to reveal the ultimate trivia champions and the opportunity to name a charity of choice for a $500 donation.
Prizes will be awarded during this Saturday morning session. The team must be present to win.
Lunch Gift Cards Sponsored by Harris
Be sure to stick around until the VERY end of GFF25. Students who fill out the survey and show the completion screen to our committee members stationed at the ballroom exit will receive a gift card. Who doesn’t love a free lunch?
Our session will wrap by 11AM and a noon checkout has already been prearranged for all GFF25 attendees. Head up to your rooms, grab your stuff and see you next year!
Nestled between the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountain Ranges in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Little America is within walking distance to the best shopping, restaurants, cultural and sporting events the city has to offer, while also being only 10 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport.
