PALM DESERT, Calif. - The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor's National Association (SMACNA) presented many awards during its 62nd annual convention at the T.W. Marriot Resort and Spa. David McKenney, CEO of McKenney's Inc., Atlanta, was recognized as the Legislative Contractor of the Year. Ron Rodgers, Peoria, Ariz., received the Special Legislative Service Award. Thomas Goodhue, executive director of SMACNA's Columbia Chapter was awarded the Chapter Executive Legislative Advocate of the Year award.

This year's convention, however, was about more than just awards. Several specialty forums took place covering topics from architecture to politics. Besides keynote speakers Terry Bradshaw, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and Cokie Roberts, senior political news analyst, business and education seminars offered included Risk Transfer Trouble Spots, Getting Beyond No, Safety Cultures of High-Performing Contractors, Measuring Contractors' Loss of Labor Productivity, and The Washington Political Equation and You.

Forums spanning four market sectors were also offered. The architectural contractors forum covered tools of the trade and finishing techniques. The HVAC contractors' forum covered expertise in the HVAC field. The residential contractors forum covered growing residential market share, and the industrial contractors forum covered positioning the company to secure industrial ventilation projects.