The AGC IT Forum Conference, now celebrating its 10th anniversary on August 15-17, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois, is recognized as the preeminent Information Technology conference for mid-to high level professionals in the construction industry. This year's event features two outstanding keynote speakers. Stacy Sopano, VP of innovation for Skanska, will kick off the conference on Thursday morning, and Andrew McIntyre, VP of IT for the Chicago Cubs, will deliver the keynote address on Friday morning. The theme this year is Pillars of Construction - Powers of the Past - Force of the Future. This year’s conference is designed to provide organizations of all sizes the tools they need to innovate in the three Pillars of construction Information Technology: Security, Strategy, and Infrastructure.

This year, AGC celebrates 100 years as the leading association for the construction industry. To commemorate this momentous occasion, AGC has created a centennial website where members can learn about the association's rich history, share their own stories, register for upcoming events, and much more.

From increasing driver efficiency to reducing maintenance costs, telematics devices have the power to improve a construction organization's bottom line. But the novelty surrounding telematics technology has left more than a few construction managers scratching their heads. BY RYNE DEBOER, VP AT MOREY

AGC has prepared a drone use survey to determine the state the art in drone use on highway, bridge, heavy and civil projects. AGC's Highway and Transportation Division has created a task force to address the use of Unmanned Arial Systems – aka drones – in civil construction operations. The task force is looking at issues such as: how contractors are using drones in day-to-day operations, what impediments to their use exist, what are best practice recommendations, what technical issues need to be addressed, how can AGC work with FHWA and state DOTs in addressing these concerns. Three members of the task force participated in a national roundtable conference with FHWA, AASHTO, state DOTs and industry representatives in February to discuss how the groups can work together to ensure that no unnecessary impediments are preventing the use of this technology in construction operations from developing. This survey will help guide the task force's efforts. Please take the time to have the person in your company who is the expert on drone use complete the survey.

Fifty-four percent of highway contractors reported that motor vehicles had crashed into their construction work zones during the past year, according to the results of a new highway work zone study conducted by AGC of America. In response, association officials have launched a new mobile advertising campaign urging drivers who routinely pass through certain work zones to slow down and be alert.