b'INDUSTRY SUMMIT DISCUSSESISSUES OF IMPORTANCE FOR MCACMCAC members and partners examined the current industry environment and how the national association can address significant issuesW hen the MCAC Board of Directors and MCA staffto address on behalf of its members, as the group identified six from across Canada met in April and May of 2019,key themes and areas of importance as the association moves they kicked the meetings off with an Industry Summit.forward. These themes included:The purpose: to discuss the new and emerging trends that mayMembershipimpact the mechanical contracting industry, and determine howRegarding membership, one of the important areas highlighted best MCAC and its partners can respond to those changes.was the need for MCAC to continue to provide value for its Over the course of the day, the Summit was conducted in members across Canada, and to ensure members have access to three phases.the resources needed to assist them in operating their business. The first phase consisted of two presentations and a panelIt was also noted that MCAC has a role to play in broadening discussion. BuildForce Canada provided an economic outlookrepresentation across all regions and segments in the industry, discussing labour market developments/challenges in the future.in order to truly reflect and represent the entire mechanical Dirk Beveridge (an industry consultant from Chicago) providedcontracting industry in Canada. examples of disruptive changes expected to transform theAt the same time, MCAC must continue to enhance its construction landscape and challenge the status quo.communications abilities and connection with the membership, At the same time, a panel comprised of provincial MCAgovernment and key industry partners so it can provide managers highlighted the concerns they have at the substantial value with MCAC membership. association level.Continued EducationThe second phase consisted of an open discussion where allThrough the Construction Education Council, education participants had the opportunity to raise the key issues andhas remained a cornerstone of MCAC service offerings, and a threats they face as practitioners and association managers.significant value to the membership. Because of this, the Industry Summit reiterated the importance of education, and the need to Finally, the third phase consisted of roundtable discussions wherestay current while seeking new opportunities for members. each group was tasked to elaborate on the themes that arose fromThis includes providing better access to grants and funding made the previous discussion and to identify available by government and other entities, focusing education desirable outcomes. on key areas of interest for MCAC members, utilizing new After all three phases and a full day of discussion concluded, ittechnologies for training, and the promotion and celebration of became abundantly clear that MCAC has a number of key issuesinnovation in the industry. 20 www.mcac.ca'