Clemson CSM Symposium Addresses Industry Challenges

The second Annual Clemson University Construction Industry Symposium presented by Clemson’s Department of Construction Science and Management (CSM) was held in Greenville, S.C. on October 12th. “The Ever-Changing World of Construction: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities” was the theme for the Symposium that drew facility owners, construction companies, specialty contractors, designers, vendors and other construction industry service providers.

“Dr. Kermit Baker, Chief Economist for AIA kicked us off with an optimistic economic forecast for the construction industry going into 2018 and enduring through 2019. We also had several very informative and interactive sessions on the WELL Building standard, Construction Workforce Development and Diversity, and wrapped up with a great session on Owner Expectations,” said Dr. Mike Jackson, professor and chair of the Clemson CSM Department.

The opening session, “Construction Outlook: Challenges & Opportunities,” was presented by Kermit Baker, Chief Economist for the American Institute of Architects (AIA).  Steve Greene, Vice President of NCCER  addressed the workforce challenges with his presentation on “Successful Tactics to Grow Tomorrow’s Workforce.”  The morning was rounded out by a panel openly discussing the diversity challenges facing the AEC industry. Diversity panelists include Nancy Juneau, Chief Executive Officer of Juneau Construction Company and ABC Georgia Chairperson, and Garland Burton, Construction Industry Consultant.

The afternoon session began with an overview of the WELL Building Standard, a relatively new building standard focused exclusively on human health and wellness that is catching on around the country. Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP (Provisional), Little’s Global Practice Leader for Workplace provided an interesting overview of the WELL Building Standard. Following this overview, Amanda Atkinson, WELL AP and LEED AP BD+C, Senior Manager, Sustainable Services, for Holder Construction Company, and JT Odom, Senior Mechanical Engineer with Barrett Woodyard & Associates participated in a panel discussion on WELL Building based on an actual WELL building they worked on together in Atlanta.

The day wrapped-up with panelists Clay Addison, CCCA, CCP, LEED AP, President of C.T. Addison Consulting, and Jon Papps, PMP, Director of Facilities Development at Greenville Health System,  discussing “Owners’ Expectations of Their Selected Design and Construction Teams.”

“There was a lot of information shared in one single day, and I hope all attendees got as much out of it as I did,” Jackson added. “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the event sponsors and participants for making this a very special day for the Clemson University Construction Science and Management Department, faculty, staff, and students, and a special thanks to Mr. Bill Caldwell for his hard work in planning and organizing the event.”