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March 20, 2024

Hello,

MCABC is thrilled to announce our First Round of Speakers for the 2024 Business Conference - Klayton Gonçalves, Jennifer Lee, and Steve Howe! 

Plus, we're pleased to welcome THREE new members to MCABC. As a member, you gain access to customized education to elevate your professional growth, exclusive networking opportunities and an Association dedicated to advocating for your business.

Lastly, as part of #WomensHistoryMonth, we continue to feature women in the trades and this week, we're highlighting Glenda Downey, a certified journeyperson sheet metal worker at Radian Mechanical.

Thanks for reading!

- Your MCABC team

MCABC Business Conference: First Round of Speakers! 

MCABC is excited to present our first round of speakers for the 2024 Business Conference & Trade Show!

Klayton Gonçalves

Klayton Gonçalves is Senior Economist and Head of Business Intelligence with BuildForce Canada. He is at the forefront of producing BuildForce Canada’s annual labour market forecasts, producing insightful reports and delivering engaging presentations.

Jennifer Lee

Jennifer has been with BMO Capital Markets Economics for over two decades and is perhaps best known for her analysis on the U.S. economy, as well as her commentary on global financial market and economic activity. Her entertaining, easy-to-understand and call-it-like-it-is style has earned her a devoted following.

Jennifer is a regular in the media and is a frequent guest on Bloomberg. Most recently, she took the #3 spot in the 2023 Focus Economics Survey for Euro Area policy rates among 31 global firms.

Steve Howe

With over 18 years in the construction industry, Steve Howe understands the daily hazards faced by workers and why safety is often viewed as an impediment. In the spring of 2006, while working as a young tree faller on the Sea to Sky Highway project in British Columbia, Steve suffered an unimaginable injury. 

As a safety consultant, Steve travels across the country sharing his story and inspiring audiences to trust their gut. He reminds us that he used to live to work but now he works to live. This keeps what's important - his family, his health, his life - at the forefront of every safety decision he makes today.

Haven't grabbed your delegate passes yet? Early bird rate ends this Friday, March 22nd at 11:59PM.

Welcoming our new members!

Viega LLC

Viega offers plumbing, flushing, and heating and cooling system solutions for contractors in commercial, industrial, residential as well as marine markets throughout North America.

Viega specializes in delivering press fitting products and innovative pipe pressing technology.

BMI Canada

BMI Canada serves as a Master distributor of PVF (pipe, valves, and fittings) products, supplying the plumbing, industrial and HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) wholesale industries across North America.

Operating from various locations across Canada, including a spacious 20,000 square feet warehouse in Vancouver, BMI Canada carries an extensive range of steel, bronze, copper, cast iron, brass and many more fittings.

Hydrowest Products Ltd.

Hydrowest supplies natural heating and gas products throughout BC, with a focus on serving the Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley areas.

In addition to being a wholesale supplier of heating & cooling equipment, they offer custom prebuilt Hydro panels, delivering expertise and tailored solutions to customers.

📣 Meet Glenda

During #WomensHistoryMonth, MCABC continues to spotlight women who are breaking barriers and making waves in the mechanical contracting industry.

Meet Glenda, a certified journeyperson sheet metal worker from Radian Mechanical.

Glenda began her journey into the trades through Okanagan College’s Gateway to the Building Trades for Women, a program designed to introduce women to various trades through both in-class and in-shop learning in Kelowna, BC.

After exploring a variety of trades through the program, Glenda found her passion in sheet metal work. Upon graduation, she quickly landed an opportunity with Radian Mechanical and joined the company as the only woman on the team. Glenda credits Radian Mechanical for fostering a welcoming environment that allowed her to thrive and be part of a great team. She says, “Everyone is so supportive at Radian. The guys are always willing to help.”

Glenda has now transitioned from working on-site to in-shop projects and she remains committed to her professional development, honing her skills such as building a curb adapter and learning different fabrication techniques. Glenda’s hard work and dedication is paying off and in December 2023, she was recently certified as a journeyperson.

Upon reflection regarding her career, Glenda notes the freedom and confidence she has gained working in the mechanical trades. She says, “Women: don’t be scared to get into the trades! It’s so rewarding, you have a great life outside of work and the pay is fantastic. If you're considering the trades, I highly recommend giving it a try!”

Glenda now advocates for more women to join the trades, demonstrating through her own journey the endless opportunities available for women to build fulfilling careers in the industry. For more information on the Gateway to the Building Trades for Women:

Promoting our trades at Skills Canada BC

MCABC is a proud sponsor at the Skills Canada British Columbia Competition on April 17th, 2024 at the Abbotsford Tradex. 

The 2024 Provincial Competition welcomes over 600 participants from grades 6-12, post-secondary institutions, and apprenticeship programs. The participants will compete in 50+ trades and technology categories such as construction, welding, robotics, aerospace, automotive, 3D animation, baking and beyond! This event is a fantastic opportunity to promote and learn about the trades! For more info: 

MCABC visit with MP Tracy Gray

The urgent issues facing the mechanical contracting industry were the focus of discussion with Member of Parliament (Kelowna-Lake Country) Tracy Gray on March 13th. As part of a roundtable discussion, MCABC Board Directors, members and staff shared the challenges related to labour shortages, apprenticeship training, and immigration policies.

We were proud to showcase our industry in action with a tour of a member company which included examples of how BIM and prefabrication are advancing our industry. Thank you to Ms. Gray and her team for the visit. We look forward to seeing you in Kelowna-Lake Country very soon.

Women Trading Up #coffeetalk

MCABC members are invited to join our March #coffeetalk featuring a powerhouse panel of four women breaking barriers in the industry.

Join us on March 28th to learn about their journeys and how they found success in building careers in the mechanical contracting industry.

When: Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Time: 8AM - 9AM

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

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