AGC Deals Winning Hand in Vegas

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If you attended AGC of America’s 98th Annual Convention last week in Vegas, then you bet on a sure thing. Held at the Bellagio and in conjunction with CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the program included great speakers, engaging education sessions and top-notch award ceremonies. 

This event is always a great opportunity for members to meet or reconnect with industry colleagues and learn about the latest trends in talent recruitment, technology, safety practices, to name just a few of the education topics. But it’s also the time when members get to hear from the association’s leadership and learn what’s predicted for the year ahead. Outgoing president Mark Knight, 2017 president Art Daniel and CEO Steve Sandherr took center stage at the Opening Session, adding their brush stroke to the overall AGC picture: an association with accomplished goals, a long-standing, impactful history, and a strong agenda for the future. Later in the week AGC staffers Ken Simonson, Jeff Shoaf, Jimmy Christianson and Mike Kennedy, along with CEO Steve Sandherr, walked attendees through what’s going on in Washington and what it means for the industry. From economics to politics, from regulations to legal concerns, the panel covered the issues, their implications, the recommended solutions and the actions AGC is taking to swing the pendulum the industry’s way. 

The awards programs are another highlight at convention. This year, Willis Towers Watson and AGC honored 52 construction companies that have demonstrated excellence in safety and health performance. Twenty-one companies received first place honors, 18 received second place, and 13 earned third place. From the 52 finalists, W.S. Bellows Construction Corp. was named the Grand Award winner, or "best of the best" of the 2017 Construction Safety Excellence Awards. 

At the Alliant Build America Awards, AGC bestowed 10 Merit Awards and 23 Alliant Build America Awards to projects that have excelled in state-of-the-art achievement, excellence in project management, innovation, superior client service, and more. Considered the construction industry’s ‘Oscars,’ these awards are given to projects selected by a panel of contractors that represent the best new and renovation construction projects in 13 different categories. Daytona Rising, by contractor Barton Malow Company, was deemed the most impressive construction project of 2016 and named the 2017 Alliant Build America Grand Award winner.

As if the winning projects and honored safety programs weren’t inspirational enough, the convention presenters remedied that. Mick Ebeling, an innovator, a change maker and an inventor, prompted by his fascination with concepts considered impossible, told his tale of how he is changing the world through technology. Derek Daly, a Formula One and Indy car driver and CEO of MotorVation, impressed the audience with his story of survival – living through a devastating racing accident that prompted a shift in safety in that industry. Ryan Estis, business performance expert, shared his tips on how to break through performance barriers by stepping outside comfort zones, initiating reinvention and driving change. James Rosen, chief Washington correspondent, Fox News closed out the convention with his candid remarks on politics, President Trump, and freedom of the press. 

Even if you lost a few dollars at the blackjack tables, you still brought home a winning hand from Las Vegas.