Inside AGC Convention Recap

May/June 2009

Annual Convention Brings Industry Together

AGC provides new educational and networking opportunities

AGC’s 90th Annual Convention

More than 3,000 people attended AGC’s 90th Annual Convention in San Diego, attracting the nation’s leading contractors and AGC chapter executives and staff. The convention offered plenty of networking opportunities, including a Federal Forum that provided agencies and AGC members time to discuss future plans, educational sessions for all levels and areas of expertise and recognition to chapters and members who have set a new standard of excellence.

AGC immediate past president Doug Barnhart (left) and AGC president Doug Pruitt (right) at the Convention’s Opening General Session.	RADM Wayne G. Shear addresses the crowd during the Federal Forum, in which representatives from 13 federal agencies were available to meet with AGC members.

AGC Charities Inc.

During the convention, AGC launched its new national philanthropic effort, known as AGC Charities Inc. The program will be the focal point for AGC’s charitable activities by encouraging local chapters to adopt Operation Opening Doors, which retrofits the homes of wounded soldiers and others with disabilities so they are more accessible. The program also recognizes chapters for outstanding community service through its AGC in the Community awards.

agcXML

AGC released new standards that will allow sharing of data and key information among different construction programs. This new tool, known as agcXML, is expected to save construction companies up to the $15.8 billion a year in lost productivity because many construction software programs are not compatible.

	Municipal & Utilities Hosts EPA Veteran The AGC Municipal & Utilities Division hosted Steven Allbee from the EPA Office of Water. Albee is 30-year veteran of the EPA, a primary author of the “EPA Clean and Drinking Water Gap Analysis” and one of the leaders in establishing the State Revolving Fund Program.
	Simonson, Lustgarten Present Economic Outlook Despite negative economic news, more than 600 people attended the nonresidential construction outlook presented by Eli Lustgarten, senior vice president of Longbow Securities, and AGC’s chief economist Ken Simonson
	AGC Team Details Economic Stimulus AGC CEO Steve Sandherr and the economic stimulus team presented “The Economic Stimulus – Putting People Back to Work” and fielded many questions from a large crowd of convention attendees. The team explained where stimulus funds will be distributed and how they will affect long-term federal spending programs.
	AGC Offers Credits and Answers to Current Issues 650 participants applied for continuing education credits at 32 educational tracks on six different subjects.
	AGC Campus Debuts in San Diego In conjunction with the National Student Championship, AGC held its first AGC Campus, a new forum for students and early-career professionals to learn more about careers in construction. Sponsored by Flatiron Construction Corp., NCCER, Skanska, Stacy & Witbeck, Suffolk Construction and Turner Construction, more than 200 high school and college students convened at the campus over two days.
Left to right, Scott Holloway, AGC’s Elisa Brewer and Ralph Johnson.	AGC PAC Breaks Record AGC Political Action Committee receipts totaled more than $225,000, the most ever raised during a nonelection year.

Media Zeroes In

AGC’s 90th Annual Convention in San Diego garnered significant media attention. A variety of outlets covered AGC’s information on the economic stimulus and its effect on the industry, as well as the association’s numerous awards programs.