Preview of ABC Carolinas 2023 Summer Convention in Charleston, SC

The ABC Carolinas (ABCC) Annual Construction Convention will take place at The Charleston Place in Charleston, SC, August 2-4, 2023. The Chapter’s 25^th Anniversary will be front and center throughout the three-day event. The presenting sponsor is Milwaukee Tool.

Kristen Powell, ABC Carolinas President and CEO noted, “The convetion theme is ‘Building Success Together since 1998.’ As our 2023 ABC Carolinas Board Chair Chris Moore pointed out earlier this year, our Silver Anniversary presents an excellent opportunity to celebrate our roots in the merit shop philosophy, while strategically looking to the future. We have a great program planned for the convention with a mixture of engaging speakers, compelling content, fun socials and industry networking.”

Convention festivities will kick off early Wednesday, August 2, with a 25th Anniversary Golf Tournament starting at 8 a.m. at Patriots Point Links. The convention will open later that day with a Welcome Reception at 5:30 p.m. The following two days will include breakfast and lunch sessions; however, members will be on their own in the evenings to give everyone a chance to experience the culinary delights that Charleston has to offer. The convention will adjourn at 12 noon on Friday, August 4.

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS: SNEAK PEEK AT THE PROGRAM (View full agenda here.)

Thursday morning

Economic Update from Dr. Anirban Basu

Dr. Anirban Basu is Chairman and CEO of Sage, an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore, Maryland, and ABC’s Chief Economist. Dr. Basu is among the most recognizable economists, in part because of his consulting work on behalf of numerous clients, including prominent developers, bankers, brokerage houses, energy suppliers, law firms, and business associations. Dr. Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1990. He earned his Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Master’s in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. His Juris Doctor was earned at the University of Maryland School of Law in 2003, and he completed his Ph.D. in health economics at UMBC in 2020.

Keynote: “Power of a Positive Team,” Jon Gordon, Best-Selling Author

Jon Gordon’s best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 25 books including 13 best sellers and 5 children’s books. His books include the timeless classic The Energy Bus, which has sold over 2 million copies; The Carpenter, which was a top 5 business book of the year; and many others. Gordon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends, and in numerous magazines and newspapers. He is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Master’s in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations, and teams.

Thursday Afternoon

ABC Legislative & Political Update with ABC National’s Kristen Swearingen.
Panel Discussion on VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) facilitated by Brian Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Development, Graycor, Inc.

Thursday Evening

FEA Reception (registration needed)
FLEX Event (registration needed)

Friday Morning

Featured Guest Speaker Karen Barefoot, Owner of Barefoot Motivation, LLC.

Karen Barefoot is the Director of Organizational Effectiveness at Industrial Reliability and Repair, LLC, and Owner of Barefoot Motivation, LLC. Barefoot became “The Lady of Firsts” from her early days in the college basketball world. She was the first person in NCAA history, male or female, to record 2,000 points and 1,000 assists in a career, and she is the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation for four years in assists. She went on to be a successful college coach on the Division I, II, and III levels with 440 victories in 27 years. Karen was inducted into four halls of fame as a coach or player, and she is now an in-demand headline speaker for organizations as diverse as Home Depot, the NCAA Leadership Academy, and Newport News Shipbuilding as the founder of Barefoot Motivation, LLC. She is known as a coach, motivator, and trainer, as she helps build careers, brands, and businesses.