As contractors, you need to deal with rapid technological advances and a stunted economy. You can no longer rely on business as usual, and making connections and being able to communicate well with all partners in a project has become a necessity. Come to AGC's 93rd Annual Convention, starting next Tuesday in Honolulu, and figure out how to deal with these challenging times. It's not too late to register.

Below is an outline of the distinguished guests who will be appearing at the convention, and a brief recap of some recent construction industry news as well as some tips on making connections.

Watch your inbox on March 21 for a comprehensive recap of all of the convention's events.

Want to learn how to use BIM as a delivery method tool or use it in the field? Wonder how you can maximize the impact of social media in your projects or better plan and manage a technology-driven construction project? Interested in learning to use advanced visualization to boost productivity or manage a plethora of electronic data? Then you're covered; there are several sessions to choose from. Presenters include:

• Richard Andrews, Zurich North America
• Ted Bumgardner, Experagroup
• Dace Campbell, BNBuilders
• Matt DeVries, Stites & Harbison PLLC
• Stephen A. Jones, McGraw-Hill
• Atul Khanzode, DPR Construction
• Brian Larson, Barton Malow Company
• Peter Lasensky, NoteVault
• Rodd Merchant, PE, LEED AP, JE Dunn Construction
• Hans Milberger, Hans Milberger

Want to learn how to use government incentives to help you win work and eliminate a culture of entitlement? Curious about succession planning, strategic-decision making or how to make diversity work? Need a better way to plan your tax strategies and manage risk; evaluate lean construction or the value of your business? There are sessions for that. Presenters include:

• Steven Anderson, Ph.D., Integrated Leader
• Dr. William Bender, Jr., Central Washington University
• Patti Burquest, McGladrey
• Melanie DePaoli, Omicle
• Jim Eisenhart, Ventura Consulting Group
• Neal Flesner, Ventura Consulting Group
• Glenn Gelman, CPA, MS-Tax, Managing Director, Glenn M. Gelman & Associates
• Brad Hams, Ownership Thinking, LLC 
• Brian K. Humes, CPA, Clifton Gunderson LLP
• David MacNeel, Baker Concrete Construction
• Ron Magnus, FMI Corporation
• Langston Trigg, GSA
• Denny Watts, Watts Constructors
• Timothy P. Muehler, CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, JD, Clifton Gunderson LLP

• Anthony Huey, Reputation Management Associates
• Connie Merritt, author of McGraw-Hill's "McGraw-Hill: Too Busy For Your Own Good"
• Kelly Riggs, Vmax Performance Group
• Makana Risser Chai, Certified Speaking Professional of the National Speakers Association
• Cindy Sakai, TH!NK, LLC
• Shawn Steiman, owner of Coffee Consulting
• Julie Theroux, author, speaker, master face reader