I wasn’t a member of the organization, but I was treated like one. From the fantastic staff, who all seemed uniquely placed to augment my experience, to the other contractors who made me feel like I belonged there, I felt part of something big and important, and it fired up my excitement to be in this industry.

Even the program’s format differed from other training seminars I’ve attended. It focused on how, as a collective community mind, we could all work together to further the industry. Plus, the group format allowed me to start relationships with other contractors from around North America.

The NCI Summit format divided attendees into groups so we could experience Summit together. All group sessions were led by NCI instructors who facilitated brainstorming discussions. My group members immediately connected and collectively shared our hearts and minds throughout this journey. I developed lifelong friendships with the people I was fortunate to be paired with in my group.

The lessons learned from applying for the Summit Scholarship including taking time to network and create industry experiences.
John Whitehead (far right) was one of eight “first timers” to receive a scholarship
to the 2023 NCI High-Performance HVAC Summit in Branson, MO.

Lessons Learned from “Ah-Ha” Moments

As a potential brand-new NCI contractor member, I opened my eyes to the many principles and fundamentals that have fallen by the wayside in our trade. That is what NCI teaches and then takes it to the next level. The light bulb went off as I realized that anyone hungry for the best and willing to put in the work could become a high-performance contractor.

From measuring and testing carbon monoxide safety to financing, Summit sessions covered enormous amounts of excellent subject matter that we could take home and apply directly to our business model. The transformation that our business experienced as a direct result of the Summit has been amazing.

Other lessons learned came from the vendor partners. Yes, that is what NCI calls the manufacturers and suppliers who showcased their products and services during the tradeshow. Spending time with them introduced me to the importance of using the right tools and instruments to succeed as a high-performance HVAC contractor.

For example, spending time with the team from Sauermann caused a definite shift in my consciousness around CO safety. Learning about Sauermann’s current offerings helped us move flawlessly into our current heating season with the right tools to ensure our customers’ safety and health.

The next life-changing vendor I met was Jim Bergmann with MeasureQuick. Our company had recently started using MeasureQuick, and meeting Mr. Bergmann and his team solidified our commitment to measuring to the next level.

Meeting the TruTech Tools folks helped us better understand the investments in the instruments that will alter our company. It was a great experience.

Every vendor we met was top-notch and added to our growing list of “ah-ha” moments.

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