Let’s be real — leading a team or working on a team isn’t always the dream. Sometimes it’s eyerolls, awkward silences, dropped balls and a whole lotta, “Was that really my job?” Every team has a mix of personalities, skills, dysfunction, weirdness and the occasional “I’ll do it later” vibe. How do we turn that mix into magic?
Great teams are made of great people! Every great team needs its rockstars. We’re talking about safe, collaborative, high impact, high performing players that bring their A-game and make others better. Those people you do not want to live without. But where do they come from?
Well, they don’t happen by accident. They are built by intentional leaders. Leaders that can spot potential, amplify strengths, get everyone working together and coach their people into rockstar team players.
In this jam-packed, fun session, we’ll dive into what it really takes to develop team players who are confident, accountable and all-in on the mission (without the drama or diva behavior).
We’ll chat about this and more…
Expect real talk, practical tools and a few laughs along the way as we figure out how to transform dysfunction into flow.
[Bring your own weirdness with you…we can use it to help with the cause!]
Welcome to your first MSCA Conference! Start your week off right with an introduction to the conference and meet some of the MSCA Board of Managers and Education Committee members in this relaxed and friendly reception.
The 39th annual MSCA Education Conference kicks off with MSCA Chair Adam Wallenstein as he welcomes you to an amazing Conference. UA General President Mark McManus will also take the stage to share an update on what our partners at the United Association have been doing.
Then, join opening keynote speaker Stan Phelps as he helps us to Excel Under Pressure and Thrive in the Game of Business. In the world of mechanical service contracting, pressure is constant — deadlines, client expectations, workforce challenges and margins. To lead effectively in this environment, it’s not enough to be technically skilled; leaders must master the human side of performance to transform.
This high-impact keynote introduces the Vasana Styles framework — an innovative, practical tool for leading teams, managing pressure and building trust. Participants will learn how to manage their own behavioral responses in high-stress situations while gaining insights into how to motivate and engage others. By understanding and applying behavioral styles, leaders can foster stronger collaboration, elevate performance and create future-ready cultures.
Objectives:
Tools – Learn how to recognize and manage your own behavior under stress.
Skills – Understand your own style through the Vasana Styles Indicator and use that insight to lead more effectively.
Empathy – Build stronger teams by recognizing what drives and stresses each style — and how to communicate accordingly.
Connect with the companies that are driving change in our industry and gain new insights on the latest products and services. Learn how innovation can propel you ahead of your competition and toward greater success. Raffle prizes will start being awarded at 11:30 a.m., so seize the opportunity to network and win big!
Don’t miss out on an exciting and interactive afternoon with your host, Alex Willis, along with myriad MSCA members as we dive deep into the 2025 Benchmark Survey results as well as member KPIs.
Join us for an engaging series of roundtable discussions covering diverse topics crucial to your success in the mechanical service industry. From analyzing and discussing the 2025 MSCA Benchmark Survey Results to leveraging technology, navigating service sales and diving deep on KPIs, explore service topics in depth and discover what your peers in the industry are doing.
All are welcome to attend this WiMI Networking Happy Hour. This is a great opportunity to connect with mechanical service industry leaders, sponsored by DeWalt.
Join us for day two as MSCA Chair Adam Wallenstein invites us to share our gifts and give back to the community as we celebrate the 11th anniversary of MSCA Everyday Heroes. Then our MSCA Barbara Dolim Scholarship winners will be announced.
Then, our morning keynote speaker US Army Ranger Kris Paronto – known as “Tanto” by his fellow rangers – shares lessons learned from the attacks in Benghazi and other deployments in some of the most hostile environments around the world, providing insight on how to persevere, lead, stay focused, while making strategic decisions in the midst of chaos and severe trials.
Come celebrate our Everyday Heroes and learn how to turn adversity into establishing a “Never Quit!” mentality.
We will also be celebrating our 2025 MSCA Everyday Hero, sponsored by ServiceTrade. You can see our past winners and nominate your Everyday Hero here: https://www.mcaa.org/msca-everyday-hero-award/
The Convoy of Hope Packing Party is back for another year of feel good, do good! MSCA has partnered with Convoy of Hope since 2010, bringing in over $750,000 in donations and packing tens of thousands of hygiene and meal kits for people in need all over the country and the world. Join us for an energetic and exciting morning while giving back to those in need.
The HVACR Industry has been and will continue to go through a refrigerant transition. Each sector and subsector of the industry is in line for some change. Many of the next generation refrigerants are ASHRAE-classified as A2Ls. This session will discuss the most recent regulations and standards related to this transition. Some of the additional items to be covered are:
Join Alex Ivanov of Murphy Company and Brian Rich of G.A. Rich and Sons as they share practical insights from their successful plumbing service field supervisor training programs.
In this informative session, Alex and Brian will walk through how their companies develop and support frontline leaders to:
You’ll learn how investing in leadership development for your field staff can improve job performance, boost morale and strengthen your service business from the ground up.
Whether you’re creating a new training program or looking to enhance an existing one, this session offers actionable tools and real-world strategies tailored specifically for the plumbing service industry.
Join MSCA contractors Dave Bavisotto, Wayne Turchetta and Chris Carter for a deep dive into the true power of PMA sales. In this interactive session, these seasoned leaders will walk through how a focused and intentional PMA sales strategy can boost profits, drive sustainable growth and reduce overall business risk.
In this session, you will learn to:
AI tools are quickly becoming part of everyday business. This session starts with the basics—how to use AI to streamline tasks in tools you already use, like Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Teams. Then we’ll move into how mechanical service contractors can take the next step: building custom workflows, connecting systems with APIs and embedding AI into apps or service platforms. Whether you’re just starting or ready to explore advanced uses, this session will show how AI can create real value in your operations.
Join us for an engaging series of roundtable discussions covering diverse topics crucial to your success in the mechanical service industry. From analyzing and discussing the 2025 MSCA Benchmark Survey Results to leveraging technology, navigating service sales and diving deep on KPIs, explore service topics in depth and discover what your peers in the industry are doing.
Rivaling its famous sister course in both beauty and playability, the Randy Heckenkemper-designed Champions Course offers an ideal desert golf experience. Built on the former site of TPC Scottsdale’s Desert Course, the layout was completely revamped in 2007 to flow seamlessly within the naturally rugged terrain, meandering between natural ravines and through picturesque foothills.
Registration costs $325 per player and includes the green fee, cart fee, range balls, transportation, boxed lunches on arrival and scramble tournament fees. Club rentals are available for $135/set. Registration is limited to the first 120 paid conference registrations received. All registered attendees and partners are welcome to play.
Please Note – Registration for Golf will open up in September.
Discover the serene beauty of the Sonoran Desert from a unique vantage point — aboard oversized rafts floating gently down one of Arizona’s pristine waterways. Along the way, you’ll witness breathtaking desert landscapes and may even spot wild horses, herons and other native wildlife.
To ensure you stay comfortable and protected throughout this scenic outdoor adventure, we recommend comfortable athletic clothing (shorts, t-shirt, bathing suit, long sleeved shirts if the weather is cooler), secure sandals or water shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a towel. Transfers from the Princess Scottsdale Fairmont are 45 minutes each way.
Please note: Children are allowed but must be at least 35 lbs. and accompanied by an adult.
Unleash your creativity at one of the only glass blowing studios in the Phoenix area, where a skilled instructor will guide you through shaping and designing your own unique piece. Choose from a variety of items like paperweights, sun catchers and votive holders, and bring your vision to life while the professionals handle the heat.
Glass pieces will be delivered to the hotel on Wednesday to be taken home.
Please note: The studio gets HOT, so comfortable, natural fiber (i.e., cotton) clothing is recommended. Closed toe shoes are REQUIRED for this hands-on, high-energy experience.
Stroll through the charming Main Street Art District on this curated walking wine tour in Old Town Scottsdale, featuring three distinct tasting rooms and a deep dive into Arizona’s growing wine scene. Enjoy farm-to-table bites, expertly guided tastings and interactive experiences like a blind tasting challenge — all led by knowledgeable sommeliers and local wine experts. Comfortable shoes are a must for this flavorful and informative journey through the heart of Historic Old Town.
Start your final day early with a motivating walk or run around the beautiful Fairmont Princess Resort. Winners will be announced during the closing General Session!
7:00 a.m. – Grab & Go Breakfast snacks provided
7:15 a.m. – Shotgun start
Learn how to build a team in which people can be the best version of themselves.
Well, there are plenty of people who would answer a resounding YES to all the above. Why? Because it just isn’t safe!
Believe it or not, this is happening in a lot of organizations, and it might be a sign that people are not feeling safe. This is where psychological safety steps in. In today’s fast paced world, psychological safety is no longer an added benefit or a “nice to have” — it is essential!
We will dive into the world of psychological safety — aka, how to build a vibe and a team where people feel totally cool sharing ideas, asking questions, helping other team members, communicating at a higher level and even making mistakes [yep, they’re allowed!]. Teams get more effective the safer they are! We’ll keep it real, and you will get straight talk and real ideas to create a team where people can speak up, step up and show up as their full selves whether you’re leading a team or just want to make your workplace feel a little more human.
WARNING: Mindset shift may need to occur!
In the face of challenges, one moment of recognition can transform exhaustion into engagement, turning a burnt-out individual into a motivated team player. The reality is, however, that we aren’t doing a good job in the U.S. of recognizing our employees and capitalizing on this powerful practice. In fact, 85% of U.S. employees say they aren’t recognized enough at work.
Join us as we highlight current, new and future training opportunities in the service sector that will help you gain market share. Special emphasis will be put on:
When things go wrong, most companies lose customers. But world-class companies turn mistakes into loyalty-building moments that strengthen relationships and create new opportunities. This session teaches how to:
The best companies don’t avoid mistakes; they turn them into wins that build stronger, longer-lasting relationships.
Learn how to build a team in which people can be the best version of themselves.
Well, there are plenty of people who would answer a resounding YES to all the above. Why? Because it just isn’t safe!
Believe it or not, this is happening in a lot of organizations, and it might be a sign that people are not feeling safe. This is where psychological safety steps in. In today’s fast paced world, psychological safety is no longer an added benefit or a “nice to have” — it is essential!
We will dive into the world of psychological safety — aka, how to build a vibe and a team where people feel totally cool sharing ideas, asking questions, helping other team members, communicating at a higher level and even making mistakes [yep, they’re allowed!]. Teams get more effective the safer they are! We’ll keep it real, and you will get straight talk and real ideas to create a team where people can speak up, step up and show up as their full selves whether you’re leading a team or just want to make your workplace feel a little more human.
WARNING: Mindset shift may need to occur!
In the face of challenges, one moment of recognition can transform exhaustion into engagement, turning a burnt-out individual into a motivated team player. The reality is, however, that we aren’t doing a good job in the U.S. of recognizing our employees and capitalizing on this powerful practice. In fact, 85% of U.S. employees say they aren’t recognized enough at work.
The number one concern from MSCA contractors is how to fill the labor shortage of service techs in our industry. In this session, co-presented with the UA, you can learn how to effectively recruit vetted junior service techs by engaging with HVAC Excellence-rated schools. These programs are given the HVAC Excellence seal that shows they have fulfilled the basics of HVAC service training. The graduates of these schools are motivated students who’ve already chosen HVAC as their career path, are investing in their own training and are in search of a good career. Learn how the program works and how to build relationships with your local HVAC Excellence-rated community college or votech schools so you can create a steady pipeline of HVAC techs.
When things go wrong, most companies lose customers. But world-class companies turn mistakes into loyalty-building moments that strengthen relationships and create new opportunities. This session teaches how to:
The best companies don’t avoid mistakes; they turn them into wins that build stronger, longer-lasting relationships.
Join us for an engaging series of roundtable discussions covering diverse topics crucial to your success in the mechanical service industry. From analyzing and discussing the 2025 MSCA Benchmark Survey Results to leveraging technology, navigating service sales and diving deep on KPIs, explore service topics in depth and discover what your peers in the industry are doing.
Join us for the final general session as we announce the winners of our MSCA Golf Tournament and the 12th Annual Sun Run & Walk. Then, MCAA President Brian Hughes will share his insights on service, what he has seen throughout the year and what he thinks will be transforming the industry in 2025. Following this, our closing Keynote Speaker, Alison Canavan teaches us how to “Lead from Within.”
We are in a period of transition where the possibilities are limitless, and the future of leadership invites a paradigm shift. This requires leaders who understand the power of self-awareness, authenticity, and compassion. “Leading from Within” is a visionary approach to leadership that fosters personal growth, inspires teams, and catalyzes positive change in society through the mastery of one’s own energy.
People think they need better time management, but they actually need better energy management. In a world where people feel like they are always playing catch up with a never ending to do list, it can be helpful to understand energy management. Understanding energy helps us to become more present, focused, efficient, and less stressed, all qualities that make you a great leader.
Our session ends when MSCA Chair Adam Wallenstein moves chairs and introduces his successor, David Geith, who will share his vision for the year ahead and recognize our incoming Board of Managers.
Close out MSCA25 with a Stagecoach-style celebration like no other! Join us outdoors for a Western-themed music festival featuring Junior Marvin and The Wailers, bringing reggae rhythm to the heart of the Wild West. Enjoy a sizzling BBQ feast, ice-cold drinks, and a night full of dancing under the stars. Throw on your boots and hats as we blend country flair with legendary grooves for an unforgettable closing party experience.
Leave the day-to-day behind and journey to a world of endless adventure. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a haven of on-site activities and fresh experiences for guests of all ages, with five award-winning restaurants and bars, multiple sparkling pools and cabanas, Well & Being Spa, gym, a world-class golf course and plenty of outdoor spaces to connect with friends.
Thank you for all of your support!
