ROCKVILLE, Md. - The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) hosted a second annual MSCA Star Summit. Meeting April 6 and 7 at the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rated Palazzo Resort, Hotel, and Casino in Las Vegas, 40 of MSCA’s highly qualified MSCA Stars attended educational sessions focused on developing marketing expertise and branding in a challenging economic environment.

Attendees also saw, first hand, the sophisticated heating and cooling command center for the large facility. According the U.S. Green Building Council, the Palazzo is four times the size of the second-largest LEED-certified building.

Attendees participated in a focused strategy session led by Don Neal, an internationally known marketing, branding, and customer management expert based in Washington, D.C. Neal walked the attendees through an up-to-date marketing plan tailored for mechanical service companies operating in a challenging business environment. Many of the Star Summit attendees are MSCA GreenStar-qualified as well.

Chris Klehm, of the U.S. Green Building Council LEED faculty, gave attendees a rundown of opportunities and roadblocks in the months ahead. He described key aspects of the recent stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, that are important to service contractors. He also explained how to take advantage of these new opportunities.

Summit attendees received company-specific marketing materials created and provided by MSCA and aimed at communicating the standards-based quality of service provided by MSCA Star and GreenStar contractors.

Publication date: 04/27/2009