BUILD CALIFORNIA The Next Chapter for CalCon Expo


Construction Expo’s Legacy to Live on Through Major Donation to Build California By Carol Eaton


F


ourteen years after a ground- breaking Southern California expo first brought together public


agency officials and contractors for a full day of networking and exposure to billions of dollars in construction work oppor- tunities, the California Construction Expo – CalCon – has announced it is closing up shop. It’s bittersweet news for


many who regularly partici- pated in the annual industry event that once counted its attendance in the thousands. CalCon’s rich legacy in the Southern California construction industry will live on, however. Tat is thanks to the nonprofit’s decision to commit a large portion of its closing reserves to support workforce growth through AGC’s new Build California initiative. Nicole Soulages, Vice President


the past several years. She said the CalCon Board made the decision to donate 60 percent of their final reserves to Build California, with the remainder to be split between two other worthy groups.


Te Board made the decision after inviting and hearing presenta- tions from several different organizations. “Te biggest thing for


Nicole Soulages


us was we were looking for somebody that had awareness of CalCon but also understood what we stood for,” Soulages commented. “From the disabled veteran contractor to the disadvantaged business enterprise to the large


with Orange-based Commercial Surety Bond Agency, played a key role organizing and planning CalCon over


contractor, we were constantly trying to bridge that gap of communica- tions and help the industry grow. To us, Build California encompasses all of that. Once we heard what Build California was all about, it was a no brainer to partner with them and be able to contribute a significant amount of money to help Build California grow.”


“The biggest thing for us was we were looking for somebody that had awareness of CalCon but also understood what we stood for. From the disabled veteran contractor to the disadvantaged business enterprise to the large contractor, we were constantly trying to bridge that gap of communications and help the industry grow. To us, Build California encompasses all of that.” – Nicole Soulages


Giving Back Soulages devoted extensive time


planning, promoting and helping run the CalCon Expo over the past seven years or so, the last few years working closely with Darla Macomber and Kate Mergen from AGC of California, among others, who were committed to ensuring the show’s continued success. Given her strong family ties to


The CalCon Expo in 2017 14 November/December 2019


the Southern California construction industry, Soulages viewed it as a chance to give back by supporting an event that offered contractors of all sizes exposure to work opportunities


California Constructor


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