All That’s Good and Necessary

NAEC Spring Education Conference 2025 embraces growth and change.

The 2025 National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) Spring Education Conference began under gray skies and rainy conditions. It didn’t aptly fit the mood of the day, however, which was full of sunny dispositions and jovial gatherings. The Westin Hilton Head Island in Hilton Head, South Carolina, played host to NAEC’s first major event of the year, a well-attended one at that. It wasn’t an event held out of time, however. The realities of the day made themselves known quickly. The uncertainty of newly and soon-to-be implemented tariffs, the need for more educational offerings, challenges to the current Code and safety issues were just a few of the topics discussed on day one and throughout the rest of the week. As always, it was a gathering that coupled business with pleasure, the serious with the social, in a seamless, comfortable way, reminding us we are all in this together. According to NAEC President Bill McGrath: 

“The 2025 Spring Education Conference was an incredible few days filled with learning, collaboration and meaningful conversations that continue to strengthen the fabric of our industry. With over 300 attendees, the success of this event was a powerful reminder of the dedication and passion that lives within our membership. Whether you were attending sessions, networking with peers or sharing your own experiences, you helped make this conference one to remember.”

Sunday, March 16   

The registration table is always a busy spot on day one. It is the first place many attendees encounter one another after some time apart, and there was some definite lingering that happened. The freshly baked cookies and refreshments didn’t hurt either. 

Sunday afternoon kicked things off with Contractor, Supplier and Associate Member meetings, which were all well attended and allowed for updates and sharing ahead of the week’s busy education session schedule. 

The evening’s Welcome Reception was moved indoors because of the inclement weather, but spirits weren’t dampened. The buffet’s first course consisted of a spring mix salad and crab bisque, a quick favorite. The line progressed to reveal proteins including fish, ribs and chicken and popular Lowcountry sides such as succotash, Lowcountry caviar and cole slaw. Pecan pie, banana pudding and peach cobbler rounded out a pleasing meal. Hyperion’s Morgan Jones and Carlos Escobar, speaking on behalf of their company, the evening’s sponsor, welcomed everyone to the Spring Conference, and encouraged a good time and a fulfilling experience. 

Monday, March 17

Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, started early with an Opening Breakfast and a lot of green outfits. NAEC Executive Director Rená Cozart welcomed everyone to the first day of education sessions by announcing the event’s registration had reached a record-breaking 332. She thanked everyone for making the journey, despite challenges with the weather, and shared that it was the first time the NexGen and NAEC Education Conference were happening concurrently. She also thanked breakfast sponsor The Peelle Co. before introducing McGrath. 

McGrath introduced the new slate of officers set to take the helm at the NAEC fall convention in Houston this September. They are: 

• Amy DiPaolo – President
• Matt Hollingshead – Vice President
• Blake Pilgrim – Treasurer
• Veronica Querales – Vice Treasurer
• Teru Irvin – Secretary

“The future looks so bright,” said McGrath, regarding the new officers. He encouraged attendees to nominate worthy candidates for NAEC’s most prestigious award, the William C. Sturgeon Distinguished Service Award. He also recognized the “great panel of speakers and educational classes” in store for attendees over the course of the week, asking speakers to stand and receive recognition. “A lot goes into this,” he said. “It’s more than just the hour it takes to deliver the education.” 

McGrath then updated the group on NAEC’s latest news, including the association’s new website, which launched on March 24. A lot of hard work went into the site, and it deserves a look by all attendees, he said. A “firm believer in being forthcoming to the membership,” McGrath shared that this ideal led him to visit NAEC headquarters in Conyers, Georgia, taking a day to get to know NAEC staff members and understand the behind-the-scenes workings of the association. He said it was so beneficial it has been decided that every NAEC president will do this moving forward. Along those lines, from now on, each new NAEC president and vice president will have a private lunch with committee chairs. “We’re making changes for the future,” McGrath explained. “Change or die. We need to keep moving forward and know that change is good and necessary.”   

McGrath introduced The Peelle Co.’s Mike Ryan, who spent some time discussing NAEC’s many programs, including its four certification programs, CET^®, CAT^®, QEI and VTMP, and its affinity programs, including NexGen and Women in Motion. He joked that he was asked to present on this topic because Cozart “wanted someone long in the tooth” who’d been around long enough to understand the programs and their evolution. His longevity gives him perspective, he says, knowing that a program like NexGen would have been helpful when he was a young employee with Peelle, for example. Ryan said: 

“You can be a part of these programs and build relationships. You can have an impact and give back by becoming a leader. You can take the education and, over time, give back education. You have the opportunity to have your voice heard through NAEC.” 

After breakfast, the morning’s education began with two diverse sessions: “Safety First: Unpacking the 2025 Safety Handbook” presented by Dot Mynahan of National Elevator Industry Inc. (NEII) and Dave Smarte with NAEC and “Upping Your LinkedIn Game” presented by Alyssa Gelbard with Point Road Group. Both sessions boasted healthy-sized crowds and ended with lengthy question-and-answer periods. 

The day’s second set of concurrent education sessions were delivered by Wurtec’s Mark Yako and A+ Elevator and Lifts’ Chris Harris and Justin Hansen. Yako presented “Elevator Emergency Multimedia Communication: What You Actually Need To Know” to an engaged crowd that asked plenty of questions and offered personal anecdotes related to the subject. Harris and Hansen presented “Safety Hazards Associated with Existing Home Elevators, Rectification and Risks” for continuing-education credit to a sizable crowd.

The rest of the day was set aside for the Official Golf Tournament held at The Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club’s Barony Course. For those who didn’t golf, complimentary shuttles from the hotel to nearby Shelter Cove Towne Center and Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina provided options for dining, shopping and entertainment. Hotel amenities were also plentiful, with restaurants, a spa, heated pools and a hot tub, along with the beautiful, sparkling Atlantic Ocean steps away. The evening was free for attendees to enjoy cocktails and dinner on their own or with colleagues or friends. 

Tuesday, March 18

The full day of education sessions began with plenty of energy, thanks to Vong Keovongsa, who presented “Turning Diversity into Business Dollars – Why Diversity Wins Every Time!” and Ben Smith and Rodney Pearcy, who delivered important information about “AI Troubleshooting in the Field.” The next set of concurrent sessions were presented by Country Home Elevator’s Craig Jones discussing “Safety on the Job for Field & Sales Team Members” and LiftLogic Advising’s Brittany Brothers presenting “Elevators and Architects: Effective Practices for Stronger Partnerships & Better Projects.” The last sessions before lunch were presented by Sean Madden, who covered the topic of “Informed Decision-Making: Aligning Your Business With Industry Standards” and Carlos Escobar and Peter McIntosh, who discussed “Where the Cable Meets the Cast Iron.” 

After lunch, which many attendees enjoyed at the outdoor, beachside café, the afternoon sessions commenced. Kings III’s Don Holloway presented “Evolving Elevator Technologies: Emergency Communications.” At the same time, Alliance Elevator’s Travis Hall and Mohawk Global Trade’s Tom Brackenridge covered the timely topic of “Navigating Trade Compliance & Tariff Impact.” John Koshak of eMCP, LLC followed with his presentation titled “Making an MCP, Elements of Code Compliance.” The last session of the day, titled “Leadership in Motion: The Art of Effective Management,” was a panel discussion moderated by American Elevator Group’s Amy DiPaolo and sponsored by the Women in Motion committee. Panelists included Lisa Diaz of Turf Advisory, Mynahan of NEII, Pete Meeks of Delaware Elevator and Dan Walsh of Vantage Elevator Solutions. 

The day’s sessions were well attended and interactive. Audiences were challenged to participate and, in general, they rose to the occasion with vigor, sharing insights and asking pertinent, important questions. For all their effort, attendees were invited to enjoy a cocktail reception overlooking the beach at the resort’s Grand Ocean Terrance replete with light hors d’oeuvres and the beginning of a beautiful sunset. 

Wednesday, March 19

The day started early with a Women in Motion breakfast open to all attendees. Three educational sessions followed, concluding the week’s offerings. They were: 

• “Understanding Automatic Door Operation in Residential Elevators” by Walter Barnes of Electronic Control Inc. 
• “Grounded Leadership: Prioritizing What Matters and Building a Future of Impact” by Diaz
• “The Effect the NEC Changes Have on the Elevator Code” by Dan Newlin of Elevated

The afternoon’s No Frills Golf Tournament kicked off at noon at the Robbers Row Course. For those who stayed at the resort, a beach cleanup was open to anyone who wanted to join. As always, the Spring Education Conference concluded with a Dregs Party.

Looking ahead, McGrath said: 

“I’m proud of the direction we’re heading as an association, and the energy from Hilton Head has made us more excited than ever for what’s to come. This fall, we’ll take that momentum to Houston for our Annual Convention & Expo, and I can assure you it’s shaping up to be an event you won’t want to miss. Yeehaw! Get ready for big ideas, bold conversations and a Texas-sized welcome as we continue to grow together.”

The NAEC 76th Annual Convention & Exposition is set for September 14-17 in Houston, Texas.