ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ of America will hold its 92nd Annual Convention March 21 - 25, 2011 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is now accepting proposals for a limited number of speaking opportunities. The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Annual Convention is geared towards educational sessions focused on current and emerging issues in construction, best practice presentations on key project-related areas or responsibilities, and unique challenges facing contractor owners and executives.Reasons to Present at ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s 92nd Annual Convention:Reach an audience of interested, committed construction owners and executives with your best practices, case studies, or other findings;Approximately three-thousand individuals from across the industry will be in attendance;Earn recognition as an expert within your field;Be a part of one of the most highly regarded conferences in the industry;Speakers receive special registration rates.For more information on ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s Annual Convention and to download the Call for Presentations application visit http://convention.agc.org.
OSHA's 10 regional administrators have been directed in a memo by OSHA Administrator Dr. David Michaels to revise how the current penalty calculation system contained in the Field Operations Manual is being used in enforcement proceedings. The administrative penalty changes are scheduled to take effect over the next several months.The overall goal of the agency is to provide an adequate deterrent to employers using increased penalties. The average penalty for serious violations will be increased from $1,000 to an average of $3,000 - $4,000, according to the changes. The following are the most significant changes to the calculation system:An employers' history of violations will expand from three years to five years.10 percent increase in their penalties for employers (up to the maximum) for employers who have been cited for any high-gravity, serious, willful or repeat violations, or have been cited for a failure to abate notice in the previous five years.The time period for repeated violations will be increased from three to five years.Area directors are authorized to offer up to a 30 percent penalty reduction to employers at an informal conference.Where circumstances warrant, at the discretion of the area director, high-gravity serious violations related to standards identified in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) will no longer need to be grouped or combined, but can cited as separate violations, each with its own proposed penalty.No size reduction will be applied to employers with 251 or more employees.10 percent reduction for employers with a strategic partnership agreement will be eliminated.ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is greatly concerned about the impact of these administrative changes on its members and is working to inform ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ members of these changes. We will continue to have discussions with OSHA to gather more information on the changes and convey the impact they will have on the construction industry.To view a copy of the OSHA memorandum, click here. For more information, please contact Kevin Cannon at (703) 837-5410 or cannonk@agc.org.
June 16-17, 2010Â | Indianapolis, Indiana This year's program will build upon the previous series of successful meetings and will cover standardized practices, definitions and terminology in an effort to create a unified understanding of the four steps to successful project delivery, plus the ability to use Project Delivery Systems, definitions, selection and implementation. To register click here!
The Summer 2010 BIMForum will focus on the primary principles involved in Lean design and construction and how building information modeling (BIM) can best be integrated into Lean construction practices. Anyone interested in learning more about BIM or developing the knowledge and competency needed to successfully implement BIM in your organization is encouraged to attend. Early registration is encouraged.The BIMForum has grown into an industry-leading user's group focused on the application of virtual design and construction for the AEC industry, and includes more than 1,800 members from across the commercial construction industry. BIMForum membership is NOT required to attend the Summer 2010 BIMForum.Registration: $375 if registered by May 19, 2010Additionally, participants are invited to take advantage of these additional BIMForum events:Â BIM 101: An Introduction to Building Information ModelingBIM TechnologyBIMForum Tours See complete details here.
Presented in partnership with Autodesk, Inc. |Â TODAY 1:00-2:30pm ETIn recent years, new technologies and practices have fundamentally changed how building projects are delivered. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a prime example. When effectively implemented, it allows contractors to gain insight into cost, schedule and potential coordination issues-before work begins in the field.Construction companies that have embraced a model-based approach to construction have quickly realized that a successful BIM deployment can deliver exceptional value and ROI. Join us to Learn how the Autodesk BIM Deployment Plan can help you gain a competitive advantage and capitalize on the benefits BIM delivers. Register here.
The Specialty Contractors Council Executive Committee approved the final 2010-2012 SCC Strategic Plan at the recent ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Annual Convention. The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Executive Board also approved the 2010-2012 ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ of America Strategic Plan.
Hotel deadline ends today!Join key players in the building construction industry at the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Building Contractors Conference in Midway, Utah, June 9-12, 2010. This Conference consistently offers a worthwhile and constructive experience to industry leaders who gather to network, exchange ideas, and hear presentations offering timely guidance and best practices. The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Lean Construction Forum will feature several sessions, including Lean Construction: A Basic Refresher and case studies.Highlighted Sessions Include:Lean Construction: A Basic Refresher - George Zettel, Turner Construction Co.Lean Construction Case Studies - Linbeck Group, Baker Concrete Construction, Burt Hill and The Weitz CompanyEffluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) and the Construction Industry - David G. Oshinski, The Home Depot; Jennifer Hildebrand, Weis Builders; and Richard S. Davis, Beveridge & Diamond P.C.ROI of Sustainable Designs - Robert Middlebrooks, AutodeskMaterials Prices: Spiking, Side-Stepping or Sliding? - Ken Simonson, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ of AmericaChallenges of Growth in Construction - José L. Fernández-SolÃs, PhD, Texas A&M UniversityLook for more information at www.agc.org/bcc.Travel discounts are available! Please refer to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Building Contractors Conference Travel Assistance Guide for more details.
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"3937","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-full wp-image-295 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"94","height":"120","alt":""}}]]ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Specialty Contractor Council (SCC) member Tim Sinclair of Pal's Glass/Sinclair Masonry in Wichita, Kansas has been appointed to the SCC Executive Committee.  Prior to his current role as owner and President of Sinclair Masonry and Pal's Glass for the last eight years, Tim served as a general contractor at Key Construction and served as vice president of operations. Tim began as an estimator and project manager for Key Construction after five years of experience as an estimator-project manager with Conco, Inc.Tim received his MBA from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas and his bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering Technology while attending Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.
The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Specialty Contractors Council (SCC) held a roundtable discussion at ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s 91st Annual Convention and Pavilion held in March in Orlando, Fla. SCC Chair Jim Slack, Jr. provided an update on ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ and SCC activities and attendees participated in a roundtable discussion focused on "ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s Value to You." Attendees shared what is important to them and their company from a specialty contractor's perspective. Please click here to review a summary of some of the major ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ of America activities of the past year on behalf of Specialty Contractors.The SCC also held a Specialty Contractors Reception, which was attended by more than 50 members and guests.  A special thank you to the reception sponsors: Slack & Co. Contracting Inc.; Gabriel Fuentes Jr. Construction Co.; Concrete Frame Associates Inc.; MarCon Inc.; Current Electrical Construction Co.; Pal's Glass Service Inc.; and McGraw-Hill.Along with professional development sessions and other programs, the Convention proved to be a worthwhile experience for those who made the trip to Orlando. Mark your calendar for ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s 92nd Annual Convention that will be held March 21-25, 2011 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.
Unit 2: BIM Technology, the second course in the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Building Information Modeling (BIM) Education Program, is now available. BIM Technology covers the common characteristics and differences of BIM applications in use today and specific processes for planning, organizing and deploying BIM tools throughout the life of a project.Developing a solid understanding of the available BIM solutions, their functionality and how they relate to the various construction phases before purchasing software will significantly aide contractors with overall BIM implementation efforts and increase return on investment.ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ BIM Education Program courses are offered by ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Chapters around the country. Interested individuals can visit the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ national course calendar for information on upcoming BIM Technology course offerings at www.agc.org/BIMEP or contact Amy Fields at (703) 837-5360 or curriculum@agc.org.