The association’s 73rd Annual Convention was held in Phoenix. Posted: November 7, 2016.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING: The Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) hosted its 73rd Annual Convention in Phoenix in October. The event featured four days jammed full of educational programming and social activities.
CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR: Angela Simon, president of Western Allied Mechanical, Menlo Park, California, received the SMACNA Contractor of the Year award at the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s (SMACNA) 73rd Annual Convention from SMACNA President Guy Gast. Simon is the first woman to be honored with the award.
COMEDIC VALUE: Ryan Hamilton, one of Rolling Stone’s “Five Comics to Watch,” kicked off SMACNA’s opening session at its 73rd Annual Convention by poking gentle fun at the conference’s educational program titles.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP: Guy Gast (left), president of SMACNA, awards Tony Adolfs, executive director of the SMACNA Greater Chicago chapter (right), with the Chapter Executive Legislative Advocate of the Year at the organization’s 73rd Annual Convention in Phoenix.
HIGHEST HONORS: John Sickle Jr., owner and president of Duct Fabricators Inc. and Ohio Fabricators Inc. (right), was recognized as the Legislative Contractor of the Year at SMACNA’S 73rd Annual Convention. SMACNA President Guy Gast (left) presented the award.
SETTING THE ATMOSPHERE: SMACNA President Guy Gast gives opening remarks before the keynote address during SMACNA’s 73rd Annual Convention in Phoenix.
SUCCESS AND DETERMINATION: Army veteran Daniel Rodriguez discusses his incredible journey of serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan; fighting at the Battle of Kamdesh, one of the bloodiest fights in the war in Afghanistan; coming home and walking onto the Clemson football team in order to fulfill a promise to a friend who died on the battlefield; and finally, signing with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent at SMACNA’s Annual Convention.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM: Attendees at SMACNA’s 73rd Annual Convention, held at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, were able to mingle and speak directly with company executives and learn more about innovative solutions for their business needs during the Product Show.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE: Attendees at SMACNA’s 73rd Annual Convention, held at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, were able to learn about innovative solutions, handle products, and ask questions directly to company representatives during the event’s Product Show.
SHOW AND TELL: Darcy Shunk (left), America’s sales manager, MEP Division, Trimble, demonstrates product features to Ken Groeschel Jr., of Butters - Fetting Co. Inc., Malone, Wisconsin, at SMACNA’s Product Show during its Annual Convention.
LIVE AUCTION: The Product Show at SMACNA’s Annual Convention included new technology sessions as well as new live and silent business item auctions that benefited the SMAC PAC Administrative Fund. Items were donated by participating Product Show exhibitors.
STANDARDIZED DECISION-MAKING: A panel of SMACNA members discusses using new market entry decision framework, developed by the New Horizons Foundation, to make successful market entry decisions. From left to right: Ron Rodgers, former president of J.B. Rodgers Mechanical Contractors, Phoenix; Jera Sullivan, faculty member, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Angie Simon, president, Western Allied Mechanical Inc., Menlo Park, California; Mark Watson, treasurer, Climate Engineers Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Guy Gast, president - Iowa Division, The Waldinger Corp., Des Moines, Iowa.