The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.

News

NECA, MCAA and SMACNA Celebrate Most Successful MEP Innovation Conference to Date

Feb 5, 2024

Over the last four years, the upward trajectory of the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Innovation Conference’s success and popularity has continued to skyrocket. This 2024 conference saw the largest number of registrants ever, with more than 700 participants in attendance. Individuals from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) have collectively grown this meeting into one of the premier construction events of the year.

This year’s gathering took place in Orlando, Florida from January 29–31 as innovators and industry pioneers from all three associations expanded their comprehension, relationships and skills across all building trades. Every year, registrants better understand new technologies and project trends as well as develop collaboration opportunities.

“This is my third year attending and I look forward to it every year because it’s a great opportunity to network with individuals across the trades,” said Construction Manager at Christenson Electric, Tiffany Robison. “It’s amazing to see we’re still facing the same challenges, the same hurdles and the same issues. These discussions have significantly contributed to my understanding and my personal effectiveness within the industry.”

Since the MEP Innovation Conference’s inception in 2021, the number of attendees has jumped from 450 registrants to more than 620 attendees in 2023. In 2024, that registrant number grew even more, approximately a 20 percent increase than the year before and the number of exhibitors increased as well.

“We’re doing something truly groundbreaking which is coming together to determine how we can work better together into the future on projects,” said Collin Weiner, President of CalEnergy Corporation. “This is the conference of multi-trade collaboration with the innovation in AI and construction software technologies being able to come together and share all of this information has been extremely phenomenal.”

NECA’s 2024 Innovator of the Year was announced at the MEP Conference, recognizing Adam Davis, Senior Manager of Fabrication and Modular Solutions at Miller Electric Company in Jacksonville, FL. Davis is an industry pioneer who champions innovation across his NECA member company and the entire NECA community, always eager to embrace new techniques and technologies.

Every year, conference organizers aim to improve the learning experience for attendees and in 2024, that meant more intentional dialogue and educational sessions to bridge the gap between trades. A big hit in 2023, registrants again were able to partake in tours of local training centers, innovation centers and contracting companies. NECA member contractors Carter Electric, Maddox Electric and Miller Electric opened their doors to show all listed tradespeople their efficient operations and processes.

For questions about the MEP Innovation Conference or how to get involved, email [email protected].