Meet the MCA Summer Meeting Expert Speakers
You’re doing business in a fast-changing economic and political landscape. The MCA Summer Meeting can help you get up to date, navigate new challenges, and create strategies for success.
We’re bringing together four experts to address up-to-the-minute changes affected your company and the environment you do business in—so you can determine how to adapt and thrive. They are:
- Keynote speaker Chris Kuehl with corporate intelligence on tariffs, supply chain issues, labor trends, and reshoring
- Don Griffin Sr., discussing the insurance industry changes caused by natural disasters, incentives for resilient materials, claims-adjustment revisions, and more
- Alan Scott with important updates you need to know about LEED v5, which is expected to be in use this summer
- Paul Trombitas, debuting the 2025 MCA Market Study with the numbers to drive and support your business decisions
With rapid shifts in policies and regulations, it's crucial to stay informed and prepared. Our experts will provide valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don't miss this opportunity to gain knowledge and tools for making informed decisions in uncertain times.
Meet the speakers and learn more about their discussions below.
Keynote Speaker Chris Kuehl
8:15 - 9:30 am Tuesday, June 10
We are thrilled to welcome back Chris Kuehl as our keynote speaker. Chief economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, Chris will provide up-to-the-minute insights into the rapidly changing economic and business environment so that you can understand trends, challenges, risks, strategies, and opportunities to stay ahead of the curve.
Key discussion topics include:
- Tariffs’ impact on metal producers and manufacturers
- Supply chain issues
- Labor trends amid U.S. deportations
- Reshoring and tax incentives for reshoring
- Outlooks for key industries that use primary metals
The managing partner and cofounder of Armada, Chris is chief economist for several national business associations and is one of the chief editors for the Armada Flagship Brief, which reaches several thousand business executives three times a week. He holds a doctorate in political economics and advanced degrees in Soviet studies and Asian studies. Before starting Armada, he was a professor of international economics and finance for over 15 years.
Insurance Expert Don Griffin Sr., CPCU ARC ARe ARM AU
1:45-2:30 pm Tuesday, June 10
With natural disasters reshaping the landscape of the property casualty insurance industry, Don Griffin Sr. will delve into the latest trends and transformative changes impacting your business. He’ll discuss
- Current trends in the property casualty industry: Highlighting how natural disasters have significantly influenced changes.
- Adoption of resilient materials: Exploring incentives that promote the use of materials like metal that are designed to withstand disasters.
- Insurability of structures in “event” zones: Examining how insurance practices are evolving in areas prone to natural disasters.
- Revisions in claims adjustments: Detailing changes in how claims are processed and adjusted in the wake of disasters.
Don is the department vice president and project coordinator in the Policy, Research, and International Division for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). His insights will provide valuable knowledge and data that can help your metal construction industry business.
Sustainability Practitioner Alan Scott, FAIA LEED Fellow WELL AP CEM
8:15-9 am Wednesday, June 11
Expected to be available for project use this summer, LEED v5 includes important updates and new prerequisites and credits. Find out what has changed and how it could affect you in the first update to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system in 11 years!
This newly ratified version aims to drive real-world impact and positive change in the built environment by focusing on decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration. It emphasizes greater accountability and alignment with critical imperatives such as reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices.
A registered architect and sustainability practitioner with more than 35 years of experience, Alan Scott will provide an overview of what to expect, with a focus on updates to the energy and atmosphere and materials and resources categories and the new requirements for climate and natural hazard resilience.
Alan is the vice chair of the USGBC Resilience Working Group, the vice chair of the AIA Resilience and Disaster Response (RADR) Committee, and a member of the USGBC LEED Environmental Quality Technical Advisory Group. His presentation at the 2024 MCA Summer Meeting was well received, and we look forward to learning about LEED v5 from him.
2025 MCA Market Study Presenter Paul Trombitas
11 am - 12:15 pm Tuesday, June 10
Get the first look at the MCA-exclusive data the comprises the 2025 MCA Market Study! Paul Trombitas—who leads the building products sector team at consulting firm/investment bank FMI—will discuss insights his firm discovered while analyzing new data for this year’s report.
Paul will guide you through interpreting key takeaways from this year’s report before it’s available free to MCA member companies. Get insight to help guide business decisions and navigate challenges. Paul will discuss highlights like:
- How metal is performing against competitive materials
- Key trends and drivers for metal construction
- Regions experiencing growth
- Projects forecast for expansion
- Sectors expecting flat or decreased sales