Automation in Construction: Theme of Clemson’s 2022 Construction Symposium
The 7th Annual Construction Symposium, hosted by the Nieri Family Department of Construction Science and Management, was held on September 15, 2022, at the Greenville Marriott. This year’s event drew about 200 construction industry professionals.
The Exclusive Event Sponsor was 84 Lumber. Tiger Level Sponsors included Brasfield & Gorrie, McGriff, Carolinas AGC, Forvis, and Sands Companies. Purple Level Sponsors included SteelFab, SC Steel, and Eldeco. Groundbreak Carolinas once again served as the Media Partner.
The theme “Topics on Construction Automation made this a very relevant program again this year,” said Bradley Robinson who serves as the Development Committee Chair for the department’s Industry Advisory Board.
The day started off with the 2022 ‘Anonymously Endowed’ Lecture on Construction delivered by ABC National Economist Dr. Anirban Basu, and entitled “No Time to Buy.” Dr. Basu provided a frank, but entertaining prediction for the near-term economic future for construction. He provided a summary of the extensive data related to the current state of inflation in the US, as affected by low unemployment, supply chain issues, and the increasingly excessive supply of money being pumped into the US economy.
“The addition of this Endowed Lecture to our Annual Construction Symposium allows us to attract speakers with far-reaching name recognition and prominence in the construction industry,” said Mike Jackson, NfCSM Department Chair.
This year’s distinguished guest speaker was State Senator Michael Johnson, District 16 – Lancaster & York Counties, who sponsored Bill S.888 that was recently signed into Law, and will provide for voluntary monetary contributions from Contractor License renewals to go to construction programs across the state.
“This initiative was on the strategic plan for the department when I arrived five years ago,” said Mike Jackson. “We are very grateful to Senator Johnson and Mr. Jim Britton for their tireless work in promoting this new legislation that will help support South Carolina’s construction management students going forward,” said Ms. Leslie Armstrong, NfCSM Corporate Partner Program Coordinator.
Next, Timothy Lewis with Harper General Contractors and Dan Warren with McMillan-Pazdan-Smith Architecture hosted an interactive session on “Executing BIM with Design Partners.” Both spoke to the growing need for trust and collaboration in design, and the efficiencies gained from such design and construction partnerships.
The afternoon sessions featured Clemson University Professor Joe Burgett who shared his research on “Drones in Construction.” Dr. Burgett presented the many innovative ways that drones are currently being used to enhance both construction design and delivery.
The closing session was a panel discussion on “Automated Technology” moderated by Clemson University Professor Dhaval Gajjar. Speakers on the panel included Mr. Jason Stanley of IB Roof Systems (representing the National Roofing Contractors Association – NRCA), Mr. Ryan Pastor of Building Point Southeast (representing ABC Carolinas), Mr. Oscar Chica of Choate Construction Co. (representing Carolinas AGC), and Mr. Todd Usher of Addison Homes (representing NAHB). This high-profile panel Constructors wrapped up the 2022 Symposium with an engaging discussion of the current state-of-the-practice and near-horizon advances in automated technology in their respective sectors of the industry.
Make your plans now to participate in next year’s 8th Annual Construction Symposium to be held on September 14, 2023 at the Greenville Marriott.
