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News for contractors and the construction industry | March 21, 2012

Introduction

People are still talking about AGC's 93rd Annual Convention
AGC's 93rd Annual Meeting was a power-packed event that featured appearances by John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil Company, and founding CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy; Karl Rove, former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush; Daniel Burrus, a leading technology forecaster and business strategist, and founder and CEO of Burrus Research; and Bryan Townsend, author of "Life is An Adventure" and "Making Good Things Happen."
Each participant offered views on the landscape for the construction industry in the post-Great-Recession environment. Sessions on technology, industry updates and personal development offered attendees excellent insight on what to expect in changing times and how to plan ahead. Viewpoints from experts and leaders from across the industry made the AGC 2012 Annual Convention an invaluable event.

From AGCofA

Jarboe: What you'll need to be successful ahead

AGC's incoming President Joe Jarboe sounded enthusiastic as he spoke to convention attendees. He began his speech noting that the industry is in the middle of "one of the most significant transformations ever." But, there are ways to succeed, he noted. "Successful contractors will be the ones that are willing to embrace technology; accept new ways of doing business; and most importantly, build strong connections with a range of people -- and not just subcontractors -- but architects, owners, and regulators."

Event Highlights

If at first you don't succeed ... wait until the rains pass

The AGC Charities Group hoped to renovate the main building of Help, Understanding & Group Support for Hawaii’s Seriously Ill Children & Their Families, a charity in Honolulu. But rains postponed the Operation Open Doors project. However, when all was clear, the charity and dozens of volunteer contractors did the job. The Providence Journal (R.I.)/The Associated Press (free registration) (3/9), The Republic (Columbus, Ind.)/The Associated Press (3/9)

AGC presents Build America, Marvin M. Black, Community awards
AGC presented 16 firms with Alliant Build America Awards in honor of their significant construction projects. It also honored eight firms with the Alliant Build America Merit Award. Hensel Phelps Construction Co. was the grand award winner for its work on the Pentagon renovation. A Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Award was given to the NGA Campus East project at Fort Belvoir, Va., a JV between Clark/Balfour Beatty. Maryland-based Clark Construction was one of 13 firms receiving Community Awards for its charitable work. San Antonio Express-News (3/15), The Washington Informer (Washington, D.C.) (3/8), CityBizList.com/Washington, D.C. (3/18), Business Report (South Africa) (3/16), American City Business Journals/San Antonio (3/16)

Jarboe to be president; new officers named
AGC named the new officers selected to lead the trade association for the next year. Joseph Jarboe will serve as president. Jarboe is the senior vice president of Maryland-based Clark Construction Group. Paul Diederich will be senior vice president. He's the president of North Dakota-based Industrial Builders. Serving as vice president will be Alan Landes, president and chief operating officer of Missouri-based Herzog Contracting. Rounding out the leadership team is David Hanson, who will serve as treasurer and is senior vice president of Michigan-based Walbridge. Read the announcement.

AGC names professor in Texas 2012 Outstanding Educator
The Associated General Contractors of America Education and Research Foundation honored Yilmaz Hatipkarasulu with the 2012 Outstanding Educator Award, reports USTA Today, a publication of the University of Texas, San Antonio. Hatipkarasulu is an assistant professor and coordinator of the Construction Science and Management program at the University of Texas, San Antonio.

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Industry News

AGC: Construction spending to increase 5% to 12% in 2012
The Associated General Contractors of America sees construction spending across the country rising between 5% and 12% this year. "So it looks like on net there will be an increase, but the public construction is coming down, and that of course is a big problem for Hawaii," said Ken Simonson, chief economist with AGC. KHON-TV (Honolulu) (3/16)

In Hawaii

Construction jobs in Honolulu are set for a rebound
Honolulu was one of 111 cities in the U.S. where construction jobs declined between January 2011 and January 21012, reported John Romanowski, president of the Hawaii chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. But the outlook is brighter thanks to a planned rail line and new high-rise condo projects. Jobs could grow by 2.1% this year and by 8.8% next year, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. American City Business Journals/Pacific Business News (3/16), BusinessWeek.com/The Associated Press (3/16), CNBC/The Associated Press (3/16)

Planned $5.3B elevated rail project stirs debate in Honolulu
The full-funding grant agreement for Honolulu's planned $5.3 billion elevated rail project isn't yet finalized, and some would prefer to postpone construction until that happens. The first phase of the project is expected to begin sometime this month and would include erecting columns that are 8 feet wide and 200 feet deep on the first 10-mile segment. But the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the City Council are at odds over what could be lost if construction doesn't begin as planned. HawaiiReporter.com (3/16)

Hawaii DOT wants to improve infrastructure
If you're a motorist in Hawaii, road conditions cost you an average of $1,527 per year in the form of operational costs, delays and crashes, according to a report by transportation research group The Road Information Program. The report ranked Hawaii's roads the third worst in the nation. Dan Meisenzahl, a spokesman for the state's transportation department, said the report took things out of context, but that he's aware of road conditions. "We're not just about creating jobs, we want to create an infrastructure that will last, that will serve the people of Hawaii and hopefully cut down on time and traffic," he said. KITV-TV (Honolulu) (3/16)

Building Connections

Informal relationships that can boost your business
Formal partnerships aren't the only kind of relationship that can help your business, Jay Love writes. It's a good idea to participate in local and national business associations and to foster relationships with customers, who might provide a rich source of referrals. "A key secret here is that such referrals are often the easiest for your sales team or service teams to engage with and convert into new customers," he notes. Inc. online/SEO Heroes (3/7)

Relationship building will replace old school advertising
Building relationships is becoming essential to attracting customers' attention through advertising, according to Facebook's Paul Adams. "[W]e can begin that process by subtly promoting our brands in passing -- as an aside to a bigger discussion or conversation," Mikal E. Belicove writes. Entrepreneur online/The Daily Dose blog (3/9)

3 steps to changing the world
Changing the world will require people to set audacious, far-reaching goals and actively collaborate to achieve them, writes Dan Pallotta. That doesn't have to be complicated, but it will require strategic thinking from all concerned. "It's all proven stuff. It's not rocket science. So let's get on with it," Pallotta writes. Harvard Business Review online/HBR Blog Network (3/8)

Upcoming Events

San Antonio BIM Forum
April 25-26 || San Antonio, Texas
The Spring BIMForum will focus on the ways that the VDC deliverables are used to solve specific problems. In particular, we'll look at how they saved a project time or money; enabled better decisions; enhanced quality; improved the project schedule; eliminated information drop-off between parties; enhanced communication or collaboration; or had other meaningful effects on the design, construction or operation of the building. Register online.

2012 AGC Contractors Environmental Conference
June 7-8 || Arlington, Va.
AGC will hold its first national conference on environmental issues that affect construction professionals in Arlington, Va., just across the river from the Nation's Capital. Recognizing today's tough and competitive economic environment, the 2012 AGC Contractors Environmental Conference will provide educational sessions, discussions, networking opportunities and technology demonstrations to help participants meet environmental requirements and remain competitive in the marketplace, with a specific focus on how to generate profits, gain efficiencies, save money and manage risks. Register now.

Resources

Training and education
AGC is the best place to turn for resources, information and programs to enhance job performance and advance your career in the construction industry. See what's offered.

Not a member yet? Join AGC
If your firm isn't yet an AGC member, consider joining. You'll get the benefit of AGC of America's 90 years of experience representing the interests of the construction industry. In addition, your membership in AGC of America provides you with an incomparable menu of products, services and features. Find a chapter and join.

Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual AGC endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of AGC.

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	Recent AGC SmartBrief Issues: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Monday, March 19, 2012 Friday, March 16, 2012 Thursday, March 15, 2012 Wednesday, March 14, 2012			Lead Editor: Jennifer Hicks Contributing Editor: Nancy Bennett Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004