2023 MEP Innovation Conference Recap
2023 MEP Innovation Conference Recap
In January, Bay Area SMACNA members networked in Texas with colleagues and industry leaders from across the country at the 2023 MEP Innovation Conference — an event that has become known as the best technology conference for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, service and sheet metal contractors.
A joint partnership by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and SMACNA, this year’s conference featured innovative presentations, collaborative roundtable discussions and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations.
“As a company, our biggest takeaway — and why we love going — is we get real interaction with our peers. This was my first time attending this specific conference, and it was such a good experience,” said Hannah Monteiro, Director of Administrative Operations at Silicon Valley Mechanical. “A lot of times at conferences you feel like you’re getting sales pitches. This is a conference that’s of value more so than others because it’s a realistic approach to what we all struggle with every day. We got to focus on lessons learned and engage in very candid dialog.”
Educational sessions focused on lean manufacturing, improving process flow and improving coordination and communication between all trades. Various SMACNA standards and guidelines were also discussed. Other technology-focused sessions detailed hot-button topics like data management, how to build out an effective tech-stack that can promote company-wide effectiveness and how to unify different technological solutions into one streamlined operational model.
Several SMACNA members were also recognized for the contributions to the industry, including former SMACNA President Angie Simon, who was named the inaugural recipient of the Msuite Industry Advocate Award for her work with the Heavy Metal Summer Experience.