BUI L DING CONNEC T IONS AND GROWING MARKE T S


An Owner’s Perspective


AGC of California Owners S BY CAROL EATON


Events Help Build Connectionsections and Critical Infrastructure in Califfornia


ners Showcase ornia


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Michael Thomas, capital program unit manager with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.


lines. Tose were just a few potential benefits for hundreds of contractors and construction professionals who attended nearly a dozen Owners Showcase events at the AGC of California CONSTRUCT conference in October 2026. Tese forums have become a defining


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feature of the conference during the past few years, and they again hit the mark at 2026 CONSTRUCT as contrac- tors embraced the opportunity to hear about billions of dollars of infrastructure work on the horizon in California. More


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026


uilding connections, learning about upcoming work opportu- nities, and growing their bottom


than two dozen owners and agency representatives showcased their current and future construction programs in the airport and rail, education, maritime, and water and utility market sectors. While contractors clearly derive a host of benefits from attending AGC of California Owners Showcase events, owners similarly benefit from partici- pating. Increasing contractor interest in, and competition for, upcoming work can create a more favorable bidding environment, helping owners achieve greater return on taxpayer dollars. Te showcases also give owners a chance to hear industry feedback firsthand


and forge valuable partnerships with construction leaders, improving the project delivery process for all.


Sharing MWD’s CIP with Contractors To hear an owner’s perspective on these Owners Showcase events, Cali- fornia Constructor recently spoke with Michael Thomas, capital program unit manager with Metropolitan Water Dis- trict (MWD) of Southern California. Thomas’ participation at a Water & Utility Showcase on October 8 during CONSTRUCT marked the second con- secutive year he presented on MWD’s


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