Metro Atlanta Members First Meeting
Friday, March 12, 2010
Georgia International Convention Center
College Park
Registration Opens at 7:00 am
View Flyer or Register Online

Georgia Branch, AGC is offering a Metro Atlanta Members First networking breakfast next Friday! The program centers around the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia's (CEFGA) impressive two-day construction Career Expo. Make plans now to meet up with long time industry friends, meet new business contacts, learn about the success of our industry's workforce development programs.

For more information about Members First meetings, please contact Denise "DD" Latham at 678-298-4118.

Technology Roundtable Discussion
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Complimentary for all participants
1:00 - 2:30 pm
AGC Training Center
Atlanta
View Flyer or Register Online

Has your firm decided to delay technology upgrades this year? Before you buy new software or hardware to help extend the life of your current system, come learn what others are doing to maximize their technology budget. This meeting also includes time for participants to share helpful tips with common Microsoft applications, and a “show and tell” opportunity for useful, unique websites.
Plan to attend and learn best practices and tips concerning:

-- Should I upgrade to Windows 7 Operating System?
-- Do Mac computers fit into my workplace?
-- Save money by consolidating servers using virtualization
-- Is a “Netbook” computer a good purchase for the jobsite?

For more information on this Technology Roundtable Discussion, please contact Alyson Abercrombie at 678.298.4106.

AGC Safety Day 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Southern Polytechnic State University
Marietta, GA
AGC Safety Day Conference Resource Packet

AGC Safety Day 2010 is proudly presented by:
Affinity Service Group
CompTrust AGC Mutual Captive Insurance Company

Event sponsors:
Eckardt Electric Company
Turner Construction Company
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BB & T Insurance Services
Cork-Howard Construction Company
Holder Construction Company
New South Construction Company, Inc.
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The Beck Group
Duffey Southeast, Inc.
Van Winkle & Company, Inc.

Throughout the year, Georgia Branch, AGC provides various events designed to keep you abreast of industry issues through networking opportunities and more.

Volunteer members of the Chapter’s Safety & Health Committee, in partnership with Chapter staff, have recruited excellent speakers to present valuable information on construction industry safety best practices at this year’s AGC Safety Day conference.

A comprehensive line up of safety and management sessions anchors our day’s activities. Attendees are encouraged to visit our MarketPlace Exhibition complete with all of today’s jobsite safety tools and resources, and participate in the day’s safety awards luncheon.

Here’s who should attend:
• CEOs • Controllers • Safety Directors • Presidents • Purchasing Agents • Architects • Estimators • Job Site Supervisors • Human Resource Managers • Engineers • Project Managers • Business Development Directors

For more details about AGC Safety Day 2010, please contact Cherri Watson, Director of Safety, Education and Workforce Development at 678-298-4104.

Annual Fishing & Golf Weekend
April 16-18, 2010
George T. Bagby State Park
Fort Gaines
Brochure and Registration Form

For members who have never attended this event, the best way to describe the Annual Fishing & Golf Weekend is fun, fun and more fun! This is Georgia Branch, AGC's most relaxed and casual social event. Many construction leaders reward their project managers and field personnel for an excellent job by registering them to participate in this spring weekend's activities.

The Fishing & Golf Weekend Story:
In 1985, Chapter member Jerry Anderson, Anderson Construction Company, invited members to his “backyard” in Eufaula, AL & Fort Gaines, GA for a weekend of fishing and a pig roast. Attendees agreed to make the event an annual fishing and eating weekend! In 1989, Bagby State Park opened in Fort Gaines, allowing out-of-town participants more options for lodging, thus the following for the event significantly increased. At the same time, the Georgia membership asked Alabama AGC if they would join an annual Largest Bass Fishing Challenge with the winner taking home a revolving trophy. Alabama agreed and offered to pay for half the trophy . . . they have since won the majority of the tournaments and never paid half of the trophy!

In the 1990s, Georgia Branch, AGC began offering a golf tournament for members who would rather golf than fish, but still enjoy the fellowship in small town America and the weekend’s great Southern cooking. Over the past two decades, the event’s venue has changed, the BBQ is now slow cooked in a smoker, the fishing stories have gotten bigger, and the golf has is now quite competitive, but the close knit relationships built over this relaxed weekend and the home town hospitality offered by the Anderson Construction Company crew have remained!

For more information about this event, please contact Denise "DD" Latham, Meeting and Event Planner at 678-298-4118.

Georgia Branch, AGC is continuing our dialog with GSFIC on Best Value Contracting and was recently asked for our input on SB 447 - Preference for Georgia Businesses; SB 362 - Lien Law legislation and HB 1164 and HB 1259, both pertaining to Georgia's immigration law.

The Georgia Branch, AGC Legislative Committee is meeting this week to fine tune our positions on these very important issues.

Although the Georgia General Assembly is technically on recess for budget meetings, there is no shortage of issues still being discussed at the State Capitol!

Pictured to the right, Mark Woodall, Georgia Branch, AGC's Director of Governmental Affairs, was honored to continue his annual presentation to members of the Construction Division of the Atlanta Bar Association at their February breakfast. Pictured with Mark is Deborah Butera, a partner with Shapiro Fussell Wedge & Martin, LLP. She presented him with a gift as a token of the group's appreciation for his participation in the meeting.

11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
May 5, 2010
11:00 am Shotgun Start
Château Élan's Woodlands and Château Courses
Braselton, GA
View Brochure and Registration Form
Easy Online Registration 

Support a great cause while you network with industry professionals and treat clients and your employees to a wonderful spring day on a beautiful golf course. Plan now to join members of the Georgia Branch, AGC Young Leadership Program (YLP) at Château Élan for a round of golf and much more.

Golf tournament proceeds support the YLP's Charitable Works Fund which has been contributing goods, services and monies to various community and charitable organizations for the past eight years. More than $442,900 has been raised and contributions are made each year to worthy groups and causes. This Fund provides the Chapter’s young leaders with an opportunity to make an impact through their community service while at the same time increasing the public’s awareness of Georgia Branch, AGC.

This annual tournament continues to grow in size and popularity so a golf course with 36 holes is required. Members are encouraged to make their reservations early to insure a foursome for your group! Tournament participants are treated to the following:

-- Great prizes for First & Second Place teams, Drive Accuracy, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin
-- Chance to win big by entering the Cash Raffle
-- A boxed lunch, tournament golf towel and dinner after your round of golf

For more information on this event, please contact Machell Harper, Director of Member Services and staff liaison to the Young Leadership Program at 678-298-4108.

Members of the Chapter's Board of Directors are proud to welcome the following firms to Georgia Branch, AGC.

Thousands of representatives affiliated with hundreds of Georgia Branch, AGC member firms look to Georgia Branch, AGC as a reliable source for conducing business in today's trying commercial construction industry. Many thanks go to loyal members who have taken the time to spread the great word about Georgia Branch, AGC and help recruit new members to our membership. As the association grows, so does the strength of Georgia Branch, AGC's voice in helping you manage your business in today's market.

We encourage all members to network within Georgia Branch, AGC, and bring fellow association members on your team for your next project!

If a new member provided a web address in their membership application, their company name is linked to their site for you to learn more about them.

Georgia Branch, AGC encourages all members to make the most of your membership by getting involved! Take advantage of all the Chapter has to offer. If you would like to learn more about any service area or member benefit, please contact one of our team members by clicking here. 

Thursday, April 8, 2010
9:30 am - Noon
Complimentary Lunch follows Program
View Brochure

Technology over the past 30 years has become an integral part of a construction company’s business process. Estimating systems have sped up the time and accuracy of job take offs. Project management systems have provided the tools to keep up with the details and schedules of jobs. Accounting software has made tracking job cost and expenses much more precise. Today, best-of-class construction companies are looking to “Go Paperless” to increase profits. These contractors are doing so by reducing the cost of handling paper and automating paper-intensive workflows.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend this free program.

For more information about this event, please contact Denise "DD" Latham, Meeting and Event Planner at 678-298-4118.

Success is a Choice: Are You Effectively Managing Your Workers' Compensation?

March 10, 2010 - West Central Georgia/Columbus  - Register Online
March 24, 2010 - Central Georgia/Macon - Register Online
March 25, 2010 - Southwest Georgia/Albany - Register Online

View Brochure for All Meetings

After your firm’s salary line item, insurance is probably your next largest investment. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Greg Dorsey, Assistant Vice President of Affinity Service Group plans to discuss the best ways to manage your workers’ compensation cost, the importance of offering modified work programs, the impact of drug testing on work-related injuries and red flags for workers’ compensation fraud.

These topics are key pieces of information all employers need to know more about to gain greater control of the insurance system which has so much impact on a company’s bottom line. Regardless of your carrier or agent, this program offers useful “take away” action items you can implement in your company. Make plans to attend this informative and possibly cost savings program.

Note: Affinity Service Group is Georgia Branch, AGC’s wholly-owned subsidiary and third party administrator of the Chapter’s workers’ compensation program, CompTrust AGC MCIC.

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Best Safety Practices & OSHA Compliance

March 30, 2010 - Southeast Georgia/Savannah - Register Online
View Brochure

Staying on top of best safety practices and OSHA regulations is a full-time job! Fortunately for Georgia Branch, AGC members, the Chapter has a team of safety professionals available to answer your questions and guide you to the best safety program you can offer. The Chapter’s excellent relationship with Georgia’s OSHA leadership also serves as a vital resource for members.

Brian Wood, the Vice President and Safety Director for Affinity Service Group, the Chapter’s wholly-owned subsidiary, and OSHA representatives plan to discuss how contractors can enhance the overall safety performance on all jobsites while protecting their company from OSHA violations and multi-employer citations. They also plan to review the most common causes of injuries and fatalities to help contractors keep safety top-of-mind for all employees. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this meeting. Safety professionals and field supervisors have a lot to offer and gain during this discussion.

For more information about Members First Programs, please contact Denise "DD" Latham, Meeting and Event Planner at 678-298-4118.

March 18, 2010
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Lamar Co. High School

Mark your calendar and attend the upcoming Construction Workforce Alliance Meeting in Barnesville. 
If you are interested in workforce development, please join area business leaders, including AGC members, and representatives from regional high schools and vocational programs to discuss how to promote careers in construction to our state's youth! This is an excellent avenue to stay engaged with the students and to help in your community.

To learn more about Workforce Alliances, which are active in Central, South and Southwest Georgia through a partnership between Georgia Branch, AGC and CEFGA, please contact Cherri Watson, AGC's Director of Safety, Education and Workforce Development at 678-298-4104.

The following courses are available through Georgia Branch, AGC's Education, Safety and Professional Development Program. To view a course description, click on its name. Unless otherwise noted, courses are held in Atlanta at the AGC Training Center at I-75 and Windy Hill Road.

To view a listing of all currently scheduled courses for 2010, please click here.

For more information on any of the courses listed above or if you want to discuss adding a new course to meet your needs, please contact Jenny Tuggle, Administrative-Services Assistant at 678-298-4112.

While Georgia Branch, AGC publishes many articles from AGC of America's timely newsletters, we encourage all members to subscribe directly to newsletters focusing on their interests.

Below is a sampling of the titles of AGC of America's informative newsletters. For a brochure detailing the content of each newsletter, click here.

-- AGC News & Views
-- Data DIGest
-- Environmental Observer
-- Specialty News
-- The Knowledge Source
-- Construction Legislative Week in Review
-- Tech Brief
-- The Pipeline
-- Building Materials
-- Highway Facts Bulletin
-- Federal Contractor Report
-- Human Resource & Labor News

Construction spending in January fell by $5.5 billion to $884 billion, its lowest level since June 2003, according to AGC's analysis of new federal figures. Declining investments in private-sector non-residential construction and public construction at all levels of government drove the decline, AGC's chief economist Ken Simonson said.

Read AGC of America's Press Release