MCABC Leadership Conference lands in Vancouver for milestone 2026 edition
Leading through change, future-readiness, and seizing new opportunities define 2026 gathering.
The Mechanical Contractors Association of British Columbia (MCABC) hosted its annual Leadership Conference in Vancouver on June 10–11, offering a jam-packed program of expert insight, high-impact networking, and forward-looking conversation.
Held at the Westin Bayshore, the day-and-a-half event brought together leaders from across B.C.’s mechanical contracting industry, united by a shared purpose: identify common challenges, explore new ideas, find shared solutions, and start building for what’s next.
“The goal this year was clear,” said MCABC Chair, Kyle Wisniewski. “Equip attendees with the skills and strategies needed to lead the way with confidence in a rapidly changing industry.”
Relive all the action from the 2026 Leadership Conference
A pre-Conference Profitability Bootcamp set the tone with a focused, practical exploration of the core fundamentals required to operate a stronger, strategic business—from risk management and financial controls to HR practices, performance management, and navigating contract changes and delay claims.
That momentum carried into an Opening Night Reception that paired an immersive tradeshow with food stations from around the world and an interactive Games Night—striking a welcome balance between high-energy entertainment and opportunities for meaningful connection.
Day two delivered a neatly curated educational agenda. Bridging big-picture thinking and real-world application, a future-forward approach was reflected not only in the topics discussed, but in the voices leading the discussion.
Anna Sainsbury moderates an industry panel on AI
Opening keynote Anna Sainsbury, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of GeoComply, cut through the noise around AI, reframing it as a set of tools every business can leverage to drive performance, before moderating a panel where the emphasis was on use cases specific to the mechanical contracting industry.
“New technologies only help if they can be translated into tangible actions and results. Moving from theory to practice is what this year’s AI session was all about”, said MCABC CEO, Kim Barbero.
From there, the focus widened to the broader forces shaping the industry. Economist Linda Nazareth provided clarity on navigating economic uncertainty, while Laura Lurz, Chief Strategy Officer at SkilledTradesBC, outlined what B.C.’s recent $241M trades training investment means for the future workforce.
Delegates attend an education session at the 2026 Leadership Conference
Veteran political commentator Keith Baldrey added clear-eyed political context, followed by a timely session with representatives from the B.C. Ministries of Infrastructure and Attorney General on how industry can contribute to shaping the province’s prompt payment regulations.
After lunch, the conversation turned to opportunity. Jacqueline Spray (BC Hydro) highlighted how evolving capital and energy plans are opening doors for mechanical contractors, while Lucy Griffith, Dean of the School of Trades, Technology & Design at Vancouver Community College, presented a new apprenticeship training model underway at VCC.
“There are massive opportunities coming down the line for our industry,” said MCABC Past Chair, Trevor Hildebrand. “The priority now has to shift to readiness—making sure we’re able to capitalize when the time comes.”
Delegates take part in closing speaker Mark Brand’s interactive session
Closing keynote Mark Brand brought the focus back to people. In a rousing session that received a standing ovation, his reflections on radical collaboration made it clear that prioritizing people isn’t just an effective leadership strategy—it’s key to solving the industry’s workforce challenges.
A sense of connection carried naturally into the Closing Reception, capping off an event defined by future-looking conversations and forward momentum.
From left: Kyle Wisniewski, Kim Barbero, Trevor Hildebrand
MCABC has already confirmed the Leadership Conference will return to Vancouver in 2027, building on a debut that set a new benchmark for energy and impact.