The 4th Annual Íæż½ã½ã/ACI-NA/ACC Airport Project Delivery Systems Summit will focus on the theme "Accomplish More with Less" as it offers valuable insights to all organizations involved in airport construction June 3-4, 2009 in Savannah, GA. This Summit is presented by Íæż½ã½ã of America, Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), and the Airport Consultants Council (ACC). Click here for the latest draft agenda. Early-bird registration and discounted hotel room rates are only available through Monday, May 18. Discounts on multiple registrations from Íæż½ã½ã Member company firms are also available. For more information, click here or contact the ACI-NA Meetings Department at meetings@aci-na.org.
On May 14, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation to modernize, upgrade and green America's schools by a vote of 275-155. The 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 2187) invests billions of dollars in school repair and renovation projects that would create safer, healthier and more energy-efficient learning environments for students.  The bill would authorize $6.4 billion for school renovation and modernization projects for fiscal year 2010, and would ensure that school districts quickly receive funds for projects that improve schools' teaching and learning climates, health and safety and energy efficiency. The measure distributes funds by allocating the same percentage of funds to school districts that they receive under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, except that it guarantees each such district a minimum of $5,000.Below are estimates of the amount of funding that each state and school district would receive to modernize, upgrade and repair school facilities under the Act, as calculated by the Congressional Research Service:Click here to download state-level data (PDF, 10KB)Click here to download school district-level data (PDF, 775KB)For more information, contact Marco Giamberardino at (703) 837-5325 or giamberm@agc.org.
Join the leaders of the top building construction firms, owners, specialty contractors, and service and supply companies at the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference June 10-13 at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA. The Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference will address many important topics, including taking advantage of hidden opportunities, the stimulus, federal labor law changes, and strategies for success in this market.  Íæż½ã½ã Chief Economist Ken Simonson will offer his expert economic forecast for the construction industry. Scott Winstead from FMI Corporation will shed light on how contractors are handling the major issues of the day and discuss ways for firms to better manage during these difficult times.  Attendees will also hear directly from owners about the impact of economic stimulus funding.  The conference will also feature an interactive "Tools for Tough Times" moderated panel discussion highlighting what firms are doing to survive in this economy, sharing creative ways in which firms are trying to get business, and outlining what new opportunities exist in this challenging market. Detailed program information, registration details, and hotel/travel information can be found at www.agc.org/homestead. Please note that the hotel deadline is Monday, May 18!Sponsorship Discount Deadline Today: Are you interested in sponsoring the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference?  Sign up today and receive 10% off any sponsorship package.  Contact Cassia Griffin at griffinc@agc.org for more information.
June 10-13 in Hot Springs, Va.Join the leaders of the top building construction firms, owners, specialty contractors and service and supply companies at the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference, June 10-13 at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va. The Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference will address many important topics, including taking advantage of hidden opportunities, the stimulus, federal labor law changes and strategies for success in this market.  Íæż½ã½ã Chief Economist Ken Simonson will offer his expert economic forecast for the construction industry. Scott Winstead from FMI Corporation will shed light on how contractors are handling the major issues of the day and discuss ways for firms to better manage during these difficult times.  Attendees will also hear directly from owners about the impact of economic stimulus funding.  The conference will also feature an interactive "Tools for Tough Times" moderated panel discussion that will highlight what firms are doing to survive in this economy, share creative ways in which firms are trying to get business, and outline what new opportunities exist. Detailed program information, registration details and hotel/travel information can be found at www.agc.org/homestead. Please note that the hotel deadline of Monday, May 18, is quickly approaching!Are you interested in sponsoring the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference?  Sign up by tomorrow, Friday, May 15, and receive 10% off any sponsorship package.  For more information on sponsorships or the Conference, contact Cassia Griffin at griffinc@agc.org.
Due to the changing landscape in Federal Contracting, it is more important than ever that contractors - those experienced in Federal work or those looking to move into the this market - are aware of the ramifications of the new administration, rule and regulation updates, and the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on the Federal contracting process. This webinar series will provide an overview of the existing process and walk attendees through the evolution Federal contracting.Webinars will take place on successive Thursdays on May 21, May 28, June 4, and June 11 from 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (ET). Please click the links below for more information.May 21 - The New and Old of Federal ContractingMay 28 - The Contract Award ProcessJune 4 - How to Handle Claims and DisputesJune 11 - The Recovery Act
How are owners and contractors addressing their needs in today's economy? How can your firm maintain competitiveness in this market? The Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference to be held June 10-13, 2009 at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA will bring together members of the Íæż½ã½ã building construction community to hear presentations and discuss how best to guide their firms through these challenging economic times. A tentative conference program has recently been posted at www.agc.org/homestead. This Conference will address many important topics, including contingency planning, taking advantage of hidden market opportunities, the stimulus, federal labor law changes, and strategies on how to come out on top.  Discussions on industry trends such as BIM, green construction, and IPD, as well as multiple networking opportunities make this a Conference you don't want to miss.Who should attend: building construction professionals, owners, specialty contractors, service and supply firms, and anyone who wishes to contribute to the industry and benefit from valuable guidance and best practices. For more information and to register, visit www.agc.org/homestead. Please note that the May 18 hotel deadline for The Homestead is quickly approaching.   Interested in sponsoring the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference and showcasing your firm before owners and leaders of this market? New sponsorship opportunity information is available at www.agc.org/homestead or by contacting Cassia Griffin at griffinc@agc.org.
Íæż½ã½ã of America has developed a new publication to address the new ethics and compliance rules governing Federal contractors, "Federal Government Contractor Ethics & Compliance Programs: Toolkit and Guidance."Under these new rules, Federal contractors face a multifaceted and complex regulatory environment. The landscape is now more complicated due to new additional rules approved in 2007 and 2008 requiring contractors to have a code of business ethics and compliance in place, an internal control system and new mandatory disclosure requirements. This publication and guidance is designed to provide Federal contractors with all the necessary tools they need to navigate these stringent requirements.To order this valuable resource, visit www.agc.org/bookstore (item #2060). The toolkit may also be ordered using this form or by calling 800-242-1767.  The cost for Íæż½ã½ã members is $75.00, and $112.50 for non-members.
Íæż½ã½ã of America is a proud cosponsor of the 4th Annual Airport Project Delivery Systems Summit on June 3-4, 2009 in Savannah, Georgia. If you are involved in airport construction, you won't want to miss this important event, presented by Íæż½ã½ã of America, Airports Council International-NA, and the Airport Consultants Council. For more information about the Summit and to register, please click here. Hotel reservations must be made by May 11.
June 10-13, 2009, Hot Springs, Va.Register today for the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference, June 10-13 at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va. Join top building construction professionals, owners, specialty contractors and service & supply companies as they discuss the current market, the challenges it presents and the innovative solutions that industry-leading firms are implementing. Planned program highlights & topics for the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference include:Guiding your firm through tough economic times,How owners plan to address their construction needs in this market,Creative service offerings that customers need in a tight economy,The best ways to "right size" your staff,Best practices and important topics such as BIM, Green Construction, and Integrated Project Delivery, andNetworking opportunities including a luncheon, evening receptions, and a golf tournament.Interested in sponsoring the Íæż½ã½ã Building Contractors Conference and showcasing your firm before owners and leaders of this market? Click here for available sponsorship opportunities!For more information and to register, visit www.agc.org/homestead.Â
In a letter sent to Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections and Rep. Tom Price, the Subcommittee' Ranking Member, Íæż½ã½ã CEO Steve Sandherr made the point that construction jobs meet all the criteria of the loosely defined "green job," including:Improving the environment;Offering good-paying jobs;Offering opportunities for advancement;Are jobs that cannot be outsourced; andEncouraging participation by a diverse population.The letter was sent to the subcommittee in response to a March 31 hearing it held to "examine green jobs and their role in our nation's economic recovery."In her opening statement, Chairwoman Woolsey noted: "Green industry, green technology and green jobs are our future, and will play a key role in our economic recovery."Íæż½ã½ã of America agrees with both the general definition of a "green job" and Chairwoman Woolsey's statement. Our point in the letter was to emphasize how large a role the construction industry plays in a green economy, how important it is to capture all of the green work that our industry does - including recycling at the highest levels of any industry - and the need to provide training for traditional crafts that may "benefit by, but do not need, training in green practices in order to work successfully on a green project."Further, Íæż½ã½ã stressed the need for the federal government to avoid over-defining "green jobs" so that it excludes large segments of the industry and highlighted the many ways that Íæż½ã½ã, its members, and chapters promote training and construction in environmentally sound and "green" practices.The letter concluded: "By building energy efficiency into existing and future infrastructure, the construction industry is an essential partner in the nation's efforts to nurture a green economy."The full text of the Íæż½ã½ã letter, as well as the original Green Jobs Act and Rep. Kline's amendment, referenced in the letter, can be viewed online.