BSCAI Las Vegas Conference Focuses On Education

The Contracting Success Conference provides three days of education and networking for building service contractors who want to improve their businesses Photo courtesy of BSCAI

Building Service Contractors Association International’s (BSCAI) Annual Convention is now the Contracting Success Conference, a name change designed to underscore the organization’s year-round commitment to giving building service contractors, whether owners of a small contract cleaning company or those with larger firms, the tools and support needed to achieve their business objectives.

As such, the conference — held this year at the Bellagio Las Vegas and Las Vegas Convention Center from Sept. 13 to 15 — will give attendees the opportunity to connect with more than 500 peers.
The conference is co-located with ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America, meaning registrants of the Contracting Success Conference will also have access to that show’s exhibit hall of nearly 700 vendors and be able to hear keynote speeches from Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Troy Aikman and comedian Howie Mandel.

Along with a new name, this year’s convention has a different schedule, with events better integrated with ISSA so attendees can seamlessly move between the two shows. 

Naturally, education is a big part of the event. The seminar schedule features six tracks of educational sessions in the areas of finance, general management, human resources, operations, sales and marketing, and technology.

“Our members are looking for ways to take advantage of technology to improve efficiency, profitability and quality,” says Chris Mundschenk, BSCAI’s executive director. “They are also looking for insights on company culture, labor-management issues, sales and marketing, bidding and estimating, safety, finance, and much more. All of the education BSCAI offers members through the Contracting Success Conference is focused on these, and additional, areas.”

The popular peer-to-peer sessions, where building service contractors share their expertise and best practices, run on Sept. 13 and Sept. 15.

“These feature all industry professionals, not paid speakers,” says Mundschenk. “Attendees are hearing from industry experts, directly from individuals that have had the experience, so this is something they won’t want to miss.”

BSCAI members will also benefit from the accomplished keynote speakers presenting at the event. On the docket is Sarah Robb O’Hagan, CEO of Flywheel Sports (an indoor cycling company), past global president of Gatorade and Equinox, and past marketing director for Nike. O’Hagan embraces the learning experiences offered by “epic fails,” including her own back-to-back firings while in her mid-20s. She will give the Opening Keynote on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m.

Then there’s Jonathan Fader. A licensed performance psychologist and director of mental conditioning for the New York Giants, Fader also regularly serves as an expert psychologist on TV and radio, sharing advice on performance improvement and how people can achieve their full potential. He will provide Friday’s keynote at 9 a.m., and be available for smaller sessions throughout the day.

Before the conference officially starts, attendees have the opportunity to attend the Bidding And Estimating Seminar on Tuesday, Sept. 12. This long-standing and vital session provides novice building service contractors the knowledge to accurately price accounts.