With the New Year here and the economy firing up, the outlook is looking good as we close in on 500+ attendees for our 2025 CAGC Winter Convention in Charleston, our Lane the Loader™ program is getting national recognition and there’s much good news elsewhere, including:
Sprucing Up our CAGC Headquarters
Carolinas AGC is undergoing a renovation in the Airport Overlook location in Charlotte. Over the years, with growing membership, it became clear that the association could benefit from a larger conference space within the suite. We have a nice office, with a convenient location and parking, and with more training/conference square footage, we will be offering CAGC opportunities to host more training and events this year. This also will provide a more comfortable experience for larger Boards and Committees that meet regularly in the office.
On the Political Front
CAGC was heavily involved in politics in both Carolinas in the past election, as well as in DC through our AGC of America and ARTBA partners, and our work is bearing fruit, starting with the swearing-in early this year of new NC Labor Commissioner Luke Farley. Simply put, unlike his unsuccessful Democratic opponent, the new commissioner is expected in the next four years to bring a heavy emphasis on improved safety with a practical – not punitive – approach for business and industry. In South Carolina, with a favorable election outcome and a changing guard in the State House, we hope to achieve much-needed tort-reform to improve the business climate there.
Western NC Relief Efforts
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s disaster in Western North Carolina, we can’t say enough about the round-the-clock efforts by our CAGC members and thousands of others in rebuilding from the devastation that is the size of Massachusetts. Also, in this past holiday season, CAGC delivered joy, knowledge and hope by sharing dedicated books on construction with the children of Western NC at Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth & Families, a nonprofit organization that has been a haven for children since 1904.
After the hurricane destroyed several buildings there, rebuilding efforts continue along with maintaining critical care for children who have faced abuse, abandonment or neglect. Our Lane the Loader™ program helped make this initiative a memorable and impactful event. Also noteworthy, a Lane the Loader™ construction book was named by Barnes & Noble as being one of the Best Picture Books of 2024!
Elsewhere:
CAGC Young Leaders:
- Held a great Young Leaders Conference in Greenville, SC, with 225 attendees and closed out 2024 with 336 YL Members, 11 more than our goal for 2024. We can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring for this program and the young leaders.
100+ CAGC Meetings & Events:
- Our 2025 Calendar was released in October so mark your calendars and plan to join us across the Carolinas for networking events that can’t be beat.
- We expect a huge crowd at our annual Winter Convention. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time. Click here for Convention details.
Workforce Shortage:
- CAGC Offered 200+ training classes in 2024, and we want to top that number in 2025.
- Our 2025 Training Calendar is now online and open for registration. Go to Training Calendar and check out our in-person training opportunities along with 20+ Online & On-Demand webinars.
Construction Bootcamps/Construction Business Academies:
- Through the CAGC Foundation, we’ve graduated 250 students from our bootcamps in 27 cohorts, with a total of 4 fall/winter bootcamps currently underway. Five community colleges plan to host bootcamps in NC between January and May 2025 – and all plan to host a bootcamp next summer to help with training involving the trades.
- We also are partnering with NCDPI to offer summer bootcamps to NC high school students in 2025. In addition, more than 100 students have graduated from our Construction Business Academy.
CAGC Foundation’s 50/50 Raffle:
- The Foundation is offering a 50/50 Raffle. By participating, you not only have the chance to win 50% of the funds raised in cash, but you also play a vital role in fueling the growth and success of education programs that make a real difference in the construction industry.
Membership:
- Membership continues to show steady growth with 815+ member companies.
- We welcomed 128 New Members in 2024 and surpassed our annual membership goal.
- Our CAGC Donuts with Contractors events continue to be a big draw for our members, and we are looking for additional locations to host. If you have space, please contact Mike Austell or Chelsea Andujar.
- Our Wendy White is getting settled into her role as Member Engagement Manager and has a passion of connecting our new members.
- If you know of a non CAGC member, please invite them to a networking event or luncheon and notify the membership team.
More Government Relations Details:
- In SC, we continue working for tort reform. Our Leslie Clark will remain as the Chair of the SC Coalition for Lawsuit Reform and the Coalition has recently hired a new Executive Director.
- CAGC staff are meeting in both states with newly elected members, sharing information about CAGC and any concerns/interests from the construction industry.
- Staff and members in SC are working with technical college leaders to obtain funding from the General Assembly for workforce needs in SC.
- Also, please support our CAGC PACs, AGC’s and ARTBA’s.
CAGC Association Health Plan:
- Open enrollment for our Association Health Plan is ongoing. Consider our CAGC Health Plan which offers lower rates than what can be obtained in the traditional market.
Safety/HR:
Marketing:
- Our LinkedIn community has surpassed 6,550 followers—and it’s still growing! If you’re not following us yet, now’s the perfect time to join. Stay updated on the latest Carolinas AGC news, event highlights, and industry updates, and connect with fellow members of the commercial construction community.
Joining Our CAGC Family:
Dave Simpson, CAE, CAGC President & CEO, who has been with the association since 1989, can be reached at dsimpson@carolinasagc.org.