ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHTS Record Turnout for Annual AGC Meeting


Variety of Education, Business, and Networking Forums Highlight 2015 Annual Conference in Desert


By Carol Eaton


industry professionals attended AGC of Califor- nia’s Annual Conference and Meetings in Rancho Mirage October 21-23, 2015.


A Te meetings and


record-setting turnout of nearly 400 construction


nearly 60 students from AGC Student Chapters across California. Conference attendees


conference drew many of the state’s top construction industry leaders who elected the association’s leadership for 2016, discussed key industry issues, and focused on the future strategic goals and direction of AGC. Te strong turnout for AGC’s newly formatted Annual Conference, which combined the former spring and fall conferences into one blockbuster event, included AGC members and guests, as well as


AGC of America President Chuck Greco, Linbeck, spoke to the AGC of California State Board.


participated in numerous educational forums, business meetings, and networking events, while also interacting with nearly 30 leading suppliers and solution providers that exhibited in the adjacent Construction Expo hall. Te AGC Training &


Education Department


provided more than a dozen educa- tional sessions for attendees to choose from during the three days. Leading industry experts addressed topics ranging from “Lean Construction Principles” to “BIM, IPD, Design- Build, and the New Reality of Commercial Construction Risk in a 3-D World” and “How to Leverage


California Building Industry Association President Dave Cogdill addressed the AGC Building and Jt. Engineering Divisions regarding AB 2235, the $9 billion School Bond Initiative which AGC supports.


Mobile Based Technology to Increase Construction Productivity,” among many others.


Diversity in the Industry Takes Center Stage


Diversity in the construction


workforce was a major theme addressed during the 2015 AGC conference. Highlighting that issue was Frank Wilson’s opening keynote address “A Road Less Traveled - Diversity in the Construction Workforce.” Wilson, President of BFW Contractors of St. Louis, MO, presented his powerful message that included insights into his own challenging journey from entry level laborer to construction company owner and adjunct faculty member/ professor at the Washington University School of Engineering, where he teaches construction management. Wilson cited numerous statistics


about the state of the U.S. construction industry, which faces current and future projected workforce shortages and an aging workforce. He noted that increasing the diversity within all segments of the construction industry is vital to ensure its future growth. “Te homogenous nature of the


Frank Wilson, BFW Contractors, delivered the opening keynote address at the AGC of California 2015 Annual Conference and Meetings and met afterwards with AGC members.


28 January/February 2016


construction industry in this country gives rise to repeated questions about the lack of diversity in the workforce, whether it’s boots on the ground, in the jobsite trailer or the management


California Constructor


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