Seeking dynamic presentations for the 2027 MBCEA Conference

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026 

The Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) is seeking dynamic presentations for the 2027 MBCEA Conference. Our members consistently rank peer-to-peer learning and practical business solutions among the most valuable conference experiences. For 2027, the Conference Committee is prioritizing sessions that help contractors, erectors, and business leaders build stronger organizations, develop their workforce, improve financial performance, and gain greater visibility into project success. We are looking for presenters who can share proven practices, lessons learned, case studies, tools, and actionable strategies that attendees can immediately take back to their businesses on the following topics:

1. Workforce Development, Labor Pipeline & Retention: The labor shortage remains one of the industry’s greatest challenges. We are seeking presentations that explore comprehensive strategies for attracting the next generation of craft professionals, building sustainable apprenticeship and career-development programs, developing field leaders and foremen, and strengthening the long-term labor pipeline. Topics may also address compensation and incentive programs, positive company culture, employee engagement, succession planning, and strategies for retaining top performers while preserving company values.
2. Financial Management, Project Visibility & Field Engagement: Successful contractors understand that profitability depends on more than winning work. It requires strong financial discipline, reliable project information, and alignment between the office and the field. We are seeking presentations that explore how companies manage cash flow, forecast project performance, maintain visibility into job health, and equip leaders to make informed decisions before problems impact profitability. Topics may include financial reporting systems, job costing, cost-to-complete forecasting, change order management, labor productivity tracking, billing and collections practices, and the key performance indicators that provide real-time insight into project success. We are also interested in sessions that address how organizations communicate budgets, productivity goals, and performance expectations with field teams, create accountability throughout the organization, and foster a culture in which employees understand how their daily decisions influence project outcomes and company performance.
3. Building Processes That Scale: As companies grow, the need for repeatable processes, consistent execution, and reliable information becomes increasingly important. We are seeking presentations that showcase how contractors have developed systems, workflows, and operational processes that create greater visibility, consistency, and scalability across the organization. Sessions may explore project startup and handoff procedures, standard operating procedures, project management workflows, technology and software implementation, ERP systems, reporting structures, artificial intelligence applications, and leadership practices that help owners and managers maintain a clear understanding of business and project performance. Presentations should focus on practical approaches, lessons learned, and proven strategies that improve decision-making, operational efficiency, communication, and sustainable growth.

 
Presentation Formats

We welcome:

• Educational Presentation: 45-minute presentation followed by Q&A.
• Panel Discussion: Owner, manager, and contractor panels discussing real-world experiences and lessons learned.
• Contractor Roundtable: Facilitated peer-to-peer discussion focused on challenges and solutions.
• Case Study Session: Project, operational, or business case study highlighting lessons learned and measurable results.

What We're Looking For

Preference will be given to presentations that:

• Share practical lessons learned
• Include real-world examples and metrics
• Avoid sales pitches
• Provide actionable takeaways
• Encourage audience participation
• Address challenges specific to metal building contractors and erectors

Proposal Submission Information

Please include:

• Presentation title
• Speaker name(s) and company
• Brief speaker biography
• Session description (200-500 words)
• Key learning objectives
• Preferred format (presentation, panel, roundtable, case study)

Questions to Consider

When developing your proposal, ask yourself:

• What process has significantly improved our business?
• What mistake did we learn from that others can avoid?
• What information do we review weekly to understand project health?
• How do we know if a project is succeeding before it is complete?
• What are we doing to develop and retain our workforce?
• What tools, systems, or processes have delivered measurable results?

Help Shape the Future of the Industry

By sharing your experience, you can help fellow contractors strengthen their businesses, develop future leaders, and build a stronger metal building industry. We encourage contractors, erectors, project managers, financial leaders, and business owners to submit proposals and contribute to the conversation.

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026
Conference Dates: May 5-7, 2027
Location: Sheraton Crown Center, Kansas City
Submit Proposals To: Ginger Roberti, admin@mbcea.org