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PAC Reception & Dinner

SMAC PAC Dinner & Fundraising Event:  SMAC PACarnival - All things fun and fair!

Communication and Building Connections

Presenter:
Danielle Quesenberry, Engagement Director, Inclusivv

All humans crave a sense of belonging and connection. This is true in all aspects of our lives, whether that’s at home, at school, at work, with our friends, in our neighborhoods or even online. Unfortunately, many people feel like they don’t belong. Whether through stereotypes, policies or more subtle encounters, messages of exclusion work their way into the wider culture. It’s time to come together to explore our own sense of belonging.

Harnessing the Power of AI in the Sheet Metal Industry

Presenter:
Lauren Wattie, Vice President, Vault Communications

In this presentation, we dive into the fascinating world of Generative AI. Generative AI not only learns from existing data but also possesses the remarkable ability to generate entirely new and original content. It is a powerful tool for unleashing creativity and innovation across various domains, including the sheet metal industry.

Through real-world examples and case studies, we unravel the underlying principles of Generative AI, where advanced algorithms produce new content, such as images, music, text, and even entire narratives. By leveraging the power of Generative AI, you will learn about cutting-edge products to explore in your everyday life.

Proven Process for Driving a Service Culture (repeat of the 9:30 a.m. session)

Presenter: 
John Tschohl, President and Founder, Service Quality Institute

John Tschohl, the internationally recognized service strategist and customer service guru, will share a customer service strategy SMACNA members can use to increase sales and build better customer relationships. John will share the Proven Process for Driving a Service Culture. 

Service leaders have mastered this process. It focuses on building passion and strategy. How many of your employees know they are in customer service? Amazon does, and it increased sales by $44 billion in 2022.   

Leadership: Develop your leaders to manage, motivate and lead an empowered customer-driven workforce and reduce the friction that prevents an awesome customer experience. 

Tools: Change attitudes and behaviors and develop Customer Centric employees. Tschohl will share the blueprint to create Customer Service "Rockstars." 

He will cover the 9 Principles of Creating a Service Culture. Service Strategy, Reduce the Friction, Empowerment, Speed, Training, Remember Your Name, Service Recovery, Reduce Costs, and Measure Results.  

John is the author of 8 bestselling books on customer service, including Relentless, his latest book. He has developed over 20 customer service programs available in 9 languages. 

Communication Across the Generations: Generation Everyone

Presenters:
Rebecca Klein Scott and Keith Scott, TALLsmall Productions

Let’s face it — Baby Boomers (1946-1960), Gen Xers (1960-1980), Millennials (1980-1994), and Gen Z (1994+) require a Communications GPS system for navigating around and avoiding misunderstandings with each other. The session starts with a lighthearted trivia game to see if everyone can identify hip phrases from each generation. This helps everyone open up and prepare for the following conversation and activities as we:

• Examine perceived communication styles by generation. Delve into and debunk stereotypes.
• Troubleshoot hypothetical and real communications challenges faced.
• Learn how simple tweaks to wording and body language help avoid potholes in communication across generational divides and get things done.
• Discuss age-related words and phrases that might be worth avoiding.

Attracting and Developing our Workforce Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond (A NHF Project)

Presenter:
Clark Ellis, Principal and Founding Member, Continuum

Panelists:

• Leah Rambo, Deputy Director, Women’s Bureau, Department of Labor
• Angie Simon, P.E., Executive Director and Co-Founder, Heavy Metal Summer Experience
• Darrell Roberts, Assistant to the General President, SMART

The New Horizons Foundation will identify practices, strategies, and tactics that have already been proven effective in various aspects of workforce development: focusing primarily on recruitment but including onboarding, training, career path migration, mentoring, and others. It will also validate the effectiveness of these practices so that organizations, companies, and individuals who emulate them will know that they are worthy of their investments of time, money, and people. This research will cast a wide net by evaluating the Sheet Metal construction sector and other building and nonbuilding trade sectors such as high tech, health care, and manufacturing. Finally, the New Horizons Foundation will capture the practices using video, audio, and other visual and written media and make the methods available to the industry as educational content. This project intends to stimulate direct action that will improve workforce development nationwide.

Keynote Presentation and Lunch

   James Lawrence

After breaking several Guinness World Records, James wondered if he had truly found his mental and physical limits. He knew there was more. Experience firsthand the remarkable journey of James Lawrence and his family.

Known as the Iron Cowboy, James earned this nickname from the public after he started to wear a cowboy hat during the marathon portion of his Ironman races to be identified by his children quickly. With two Guinness world records under his belt, James and his family attempted to do something every person deemed impossible, 50 full distance triathlons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days (aka: 50.50.50).

Sports Illustrated ranked James in the top 50 fittest freaks with Lebron James and Conor McGregor, two of James’ favorite athletes. RedBull declares that ‘when it comes to endurance, he is unstoppable’ and Success magazine named him ‘The Most Enduring Man In The World.’ He has redefined the definition of impossible and shares his journey with audiences around the world.

His combination of energy, humor, determination, and achievements captivates his audience and creates an inspirational and awakening phenomenon for all. James’ story of reaching new limits is one everyone can relate to. He is an ordinary guy, whose extraordinary personal story will make you laugh, cry, reflect, and leave you inspired to reach higher. James has spoken all over the world, on stages in more than 20 countries.

Change Orders – Too Much of a Good Thing

Presenter:
Guy Gast, Past President, Waldinger Corporation – Iowa Division

Attendees will get an eye-opening presentation on the negative impacts of change orders, with specific advice on cost impacts, recommendations on methods and best practices in calculating and presenting changes successfully.

Contractors for Change: Embracing Heat Pumps, Building a Greener Tomorrow

Presenter:
Roberto Herrera, Senior Product Manager, Split Systems, Daikin Comfort

The session covers the topics of residential heat pumps, energy efficiency, federal funding, and grants available to help contractors tackle the emerging residential heat pump market. It explores the importance of heat pumps in achieving decarbonization and sustainability while empowering contractors to embrace energy-efficient solutions.

We will explore the importance of heat pumps, highlighting their energy efficiency, ability to provide heating and cooling, and their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also emphasizes the significance of federal funding, grants, and incentives to support contractors in expanding their service offerings and capitalizing on the growing demand for residential high-efficiency heat pump solutions. Encourages contractors to take the lead in HVAC innovation, positioning them as key players in the energy revolution and contributors to a greener and more sustainable future.

Proven Process for Driving a Service Culture

Presenter: 
John Tschohl, President and Founder, Service Quality Institute

John Tschohl, the internationally recognized service strategist and customer service guru, will share a customer service strategy SMACNA members can use to increase sales and build better customer relationships. John will share the Proven Process for Driving a Service Culture. 

Service leaders have mastered this process. It focuses on building passion and strategy. How many of your employees know they are in customer service? Amazon does, and it increased sales by $44 billion in 2022.   

Leadership: Develop your leaders to manage, motivate and lead an empowered customer-driven workforce and reduce the friction that prevents an awesome customer experience. 

Tools: Change attitudes and behaviors and develop Customer Centric employees. Tschohl will share the blueprint to create Customer Service "Rockstars." 

He will cover the 9 Principles of Creating a Service Culture. Service Strategy, Reduce the Friction, Empowerment, Speed, Training, Remember Your Name, Service Recovery, Reduce Costs, and Measure Results.  

John is the author of 8 bestselling books on customer service, including Relentless, his latest book. He has developed over 20 customer service programs available in 9 languages. 

Back on Track: Why Software Implementation Derails and How to Fix It

Presenter:
Claire Wilson, Head of Construction Solutions, SITELINE

You would never buy new equipment for your shop without ensuring your team knows how to use it efficiently. So why not put the same effort into new software tools? Construction companies are leveraging software to combat labor shortages, supply chain woes, and increased material costs. But, introducing new software to your team can bring headaches and stress. Implementation often never goes as planned (or as the salesperson promised), taking months or years longer than expected. Why? Software implementation requires a detailed plan, strategic internal communication, and executive buy-in. Here's your game plan on how to implement software the right way.  

Key takeaways:  

• Understand how and why software implementation fails and how to overcome implementation roadblocks  
• Identify markers of a great implementation plan  
• Gain strategies to ensure a successful software implementation 

2024 SMACNA Technical Services / What Makes Rainscreen Walls Work

Presenter:

Eli Howard, Executive Director, Technical Services and Research, SMACNA

This fast paced presentation will cover SMACNA’s Technical Services Standards, Manuals & Guidelines Collection of newly revised documents and further research & products for the Sheet Metal Industry. SMACNA’s Technical Staff will also cover the key issues emerging in today’s market for the HVAC & Architectural industry.

Todd Kimmel, Architectural Specifications Manager, ROCKWOOL North America

Curious or confused about what “rainscreen” means or how it relates to wall performance? This seminar provides an overview of rainscreen wall designs, including all the visible and hidden components and important factors in performance. Claddings and attachments, the air cavity and why width matters, water control, structural considerations, fire and combustibility, exterior insulation. All of these topics and more will be touched on during the discussion. 

Building Resilience: Safeguarding Mental Health in the Sheet Metal Industry

Presenters:
Aldo Zambetti, Administrator, SMOHIT
Chris Carlough, SMART MAP Program Coordinator, SMART
Jeremy Holburn, Helpline Counselor, SMOHIT

SMOHIT’s SMART Members Assistance Program (MAP) is an awareness and peer member training program for those dealing with problems associated with mental health issues, such as substance abuse. This session will focus on finding quality mental health resources including treatment centers and Employee Assistance Programs for our industry partners.

Integrating the Tech Stack

Presenter:
Kris Blankenship, Industry Advisor, ServiceTitan

Join us for an engaging session to explore the transformative power of integrating technologies. Gain valuable insights into the specific strategies employed, challenges overcome, and the measurable impact of integrating your tech stack. 

How Sheet Metal Contractors are Using Digital Workflows to Streamline Field/Office Communication

Presenters:
Lee Browning, Regional Sales Manager, Trimble
David Keane, Americas Sales Director, VDC Software Solutions, Trimble

Projects today are moving at ever-increasing paces, and the urgency to streamline communication between the field, shop, and office has never been higher. The risks of broken or lagging communication are apparent: poor productivity, high trucking costs, and constantly being in “React Mode.” Luckily, the advancement and accessibility of technology is providing an answer.

New Opportunities for Industrial Contractors - From Carbon Capture to Green Hydrogen and Beyond

Presenters:
David Gardiner, President, David Gardiner and Associates
Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Fuel and Carbon Management
Stan Kolbe, Executive Director, Government and Political Affairs, SMACNA

Explore the dynamic landscape of market opportunities awaiting industrial contractors in the ever-evolving energy sector, especially as it moves to decarbonize. Discover the pivotal role industrial contractors play in the emergence of the fast-paced industrial market for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Carbon capture technology and the mega projects already underway, are drawing record amounts of private capital into the energy sector’s battle to lower carbon emissions, and contractors are at the forefront. Explore the engineering feats involved in capturing and repurposing CO2 emissions, from innovative technologies to large-scale CCUS projects.

Engaging Emerging Leaders at the Local Level

Presenter:
Clark Ellis, Principal and Founding Member, Continuum Advisory Group

Panelists:
Jordan Belew, Vice President, ACP Sheet Metal/Midwest Fabricators
Ashley Duncan, Mechanical Division Manager, General Sheet Metal
Garrett Montrone, Project Manager, Western Sheet Metal

Where will the Union Sheet Metal Industry’s next leaders come from? 40% of construction workers will retire or leave the industry by 2031. Women and under-represented demographic groups comprise a small percentage of current building trades union members. How can we attract great people to our industry and support our dynamic emerging leaders?

Convention Registration

PAC Registration

Meet & Greet Reception

Emerging Leaders Reception with the College of Fellows

College of Fellows Meeting

Clay Shooting Event

College of Fellows Golf Tournament

Convention/PAC Registration

Transportation to Clay Shooting Event

College of Fellows Buffet Breakfast

Convention/PAC Registration