Learn more about the practical education that this critical conference will bring to the table from one of SMACNA’s leading innovators.
At the 2025 MEP Innovation Conference, Jennifer Clark of General Sheet Metal made a strong point: training is the key to realizing the full value of your technology investments and avoiding falling short.
“If you don’t train people, they will not adopt the technology. They won’t know how to use the tools fully. You won’t get your money’s worth. You won’t get that ROI.”
Even experienced users can miss out. As Jennifer explained, most people are comfortable with the basics, but there are always hidden features that go unnoticed unless one has the proper education. When contractors provide training that employees request, participation increases, adoption improves, and companies achieve stronger results.
This focus on practical education is precisely what defines the MEP Innovation Conference. The sessions are built by contractors, for contractors. That means the insights come directly from people in the field who are solving the same challenges you face — not vendors pitching solutions, but peers sharing tested strategies and real-world case studies.
Looking ahead, MEP 2026 (January 26–28, Austin, TX) will continue this mission. Attendees can expect sessions on technology adoption, fabrication strategies, and data-informed decision making, all geared toward delivering actionable takeaways.
You can watch Jennifer Clark’s full clip from MEP 2025 here: Don’t Forget the End Users: Internal Training and Development for Non-Tech People.
Registration for MEP 2026 is now open at mepconference.com.
Sep 23, 2025 — Member Update
Oct 21, 2025 - Jake Olsen, CEO of Stratus, joins Angie Simon to talk about how the SMACNA associate member works to assist contractors and how the space must collaborate to find the next generation of workers.
Oct 21, 2025 - Program is meant to celebrate the exceptional work by contractors in promoting a safe, secure and conducive environment for their workers.
Oct 21, 2025 - By attending this essential program, you'll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of collective bargaining effectively.