2027 MCA Winter Meeting Speakers: Get Insights, Innovation, and Industry Intelligence
The 2027 MCA Winter Meeting brings together experts who will help you navigate the opportunities and challenges shaping our businesses, workforce, and industry.
From economic forecasting and artificial intelligence to resilience, wildfire protection, architecture, and market development, this year's program offers a broad mix of education designed for executives, sales and marketing professionals, technical leaders, and industry decision-makers.
You'll hear from respected voices from both inside and outside the metal construction industry, gain practical insights you can apply immediately, and connect with peers who are tackling many of the same issues facing your organization.
Meet three of our featured guest speakers below. Then, save the date to join us January 26-28 in Carlsbad, California, for 3 days of learning, networking, and strategic discussions that will help position your company for success in 2027.
Laura Blaul
Building Better Against Wildfire: Why Material Choices Matter
11 am-Noon Tuesday, January 26
Representing the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), Laura Blaul will examine issues related to wildfire exposure and the role building materials and design decisions play in creating more resilient structures and communities. With Laura’s expertise in building resilience and wildfire preparedness, this timely session will provide valuable perspective for those interested in metal’s performance, durability, and risk mitigation in the built environment.
Alex Chausovsky
Keynote Address: Navigating 2027 and Beyond; Economic, Policy, and Labor Market Trends
9:45-10:45 am Tuesday, January 26
An MCA favorite, Alex Chausovsky will provide timely insights into the economic trends and market dynamics expected to impact the construction and manufacturing sectors in 2027. A nationally recognized economist, market analyst, and business strategist, Alex helps organizations understand the economic forces driving business performance. Join us for this translation of complex economic data into practical guidance on growth, workforce planning, and strategic decision-making.
Gene Marks
AI and Metal in Construction
8:45-9:45 am Wednesday, January 27
Explore the growing influence of AI and what it means for companies operating in the metal construction marketplace with Gene Marks, AI & Business Keynote Speaker, Forbes Columnist, and Author. Marks cuts through the hype to identify real-world strategies that drive results. That’s why business leaders across the country turn to Gene for practical advice on technology, artificial intelligence, workforce trends, and the future of business. Marks cuts through the hype to identify real-world strategies that drive results.
Ramsey Daham
Trends in Metal from an Architect's Perspective
10-11 am Wednesday, January 27
What trends are shaping the future of metal in architecture, and what do design professionals and contractors really want from manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers? Ramsey Daham, founder and president of Breakform Design, for an insider's look at the evolving role of metal in today's built environment. Drawing on his experience as an architect designing projects and a general contractor delivering them, from concept through construction, Daham will share the architectural trends, material preferences, performance priorities, and emerging opportunities influencing specification decisions. Leave with a clearer understanding of how decision-makers evaluate metal products, what drives project selection, and how the metal construction industry can better align with the needs of the designers and contractors.