2008 Conference Highlights

Record Turnout for CMAA’s 2008 National Conference & Trade Show

CMAA’s best attended National Conference & Trade Show, with a turnout of more than 900 people, was held in San Francisco October 12-14. Highlights from the conference included lively keynote speeches by Gary Heil and Norbert Young, FAIA, a record 39 educational sessions covering a variety of issues in the industry, and a sold out exhibit hall showcasing the latest trends in goods and services. The cosmopolitan city of San Francisco was host to it all this year; many attendees took the time to enjoy the site, participating in boat tours, wine tasting, and more.

Opening keynoter Gary Heil spoke about leadership. He said leaders should encourage employees to work towards a cause, not just for a job. “It can’t be something they do, it has to be something they are,” said Heil. “It is the cause for which they stand that leaders are remembered for,” he added.

Heil pointed to a study he performed in which about 80 percent of people surveyed named their favorite leader as someone they’d never met. When asked how often they act like this role-model, the answer was often “sometimes” or “never”. Heil called for a change. He urged leaders to engage employees to show responsibility for creating the future. “Belief is essential,” he said. Heil asserted that even small changes in an environment can have a lasting impact on its inhabitants. He sited the example of the drastic reduction in crime occurring on New York subways after they were cleaned up. “People behave differently in fundamentally different environments,” said Heil.

This year's second keynote speaker, McGraw-Hill Construction President Norbert Young, FAIA, discussed a variety of major demographic and business trends that will shape the future marketplace, and highlighted some other "trends that answer the challenges." These trends include urbanization, sustainability, and digital design and construction. "The more collaborative the environment, the greater the likelihood of success."

Young reviewed a variety of current economic indicators and concluded that despite the current turmoil in the national economy, there is "good news" for construction. "We are huge, and we are a necessary industry. We are an industry of personal opportunity for advancement," he said.

In addition to the two keynote sessions, the CMAA Conference program offered a first look at the findings of the Ninth Annual Owners Survey conducted by FMI and CMAA. The Professional Development program offered 39 sessions devoted to such topics as:

- Cost Estimating and BIM – Project Examples

- Pre-Construction Services in 2008 – It’s Not Just Estimating

- A Guide to Selecting the Best Project Delivery Method for Public Transit Projects

- Optimizing Program Management Performance – Critical Lessons from Major International Programs

Sixty companies took part in the annual CMAA Trade Show, offering a wide range of products and services.

The Conference concluded with the Industry Recognition Banquet, honoring winners of the Distinguished Service Award, new inductees into the CMAA College of Fellows, and CMAA’s 2008 Person of the Year.

Click here for video footage of demonstrations at the conference!