CI Regional Seminar to Focus on PPP, Differing Site Condititions, and Technology

In an effort to provide its members with informative, affordable seminars addressing national as well as regional issues, the Construction Institute recently initiated plans for a CI Regional Seminar that will include expert panels on Public Private Partnerships, Differing Site Conditions, and Technology Trends. In addition to providing quality presentations on a variety of subjects the seminar will also have informational sessions where attendees have an opportunity to hear from CI technical committees and learn how to become more involved. The meeting will also provide a forum for network ing with individuals from all aspects of the construction industry.

The CI Regional Seminar will be held on June 27th in Dallas, Texas. Industry topics organized by the CI Services Directorate will offer a comprehensive look at issues affecting the construction industry, including:

Technology Trends in Construction chaired by Christian Burger President and co-founder of Burger Consulting Group will provide an overview of new developments in systems and technology within the construction industry. This will include a look at new products and technologies as well as developments in the vendor community. Specifically, Accounting/Job Cost systems, Estimating and bidding, integrated project management, equipment management, and developments in the CAD area will be discussed. Important considerations for the contractor as they evaluate and implement these technologies will also be touched on.

Differing Site Condition Claims – Legal issues and Claims Avoidance chaired by Peter M. Kutil, Esq., KING & KING, LLP and Kenneth F. Haines, CFCC, GREYHAWK will cover the basic and advanced aspects of the now commonly used differing site condition clause. Focus will center on reaching a common understanding of how this clause is intended to work, how it is used in practice, and how disputes can be avoided or mitigated.

A panel on Public Private Partnerships chaired by Bill Marino Chairman and CEO Allied Group Holdings, LLC will address varied topics. A growing phenomenon in the U.S., well established in many countries around the world, is the public private partnership model. Public Private Partnerships (PPP) have varied formats and include the opportunity for both the acquisitions of infrastructure or facility and that of new development. Historically the US market, with its highly open access, numerous and varied competitors find this paradigm shift disrupting for many participants. The cost of entry is high and only very large well capitalized firms can handle the necessary financial commitments. Challenges that face typical contractors would include: Cost of entry, Contractual obligations, Surety, Legal, and Sources of capital.

Visit www.constructioninst.org/Texas2007/CIRegionalSeminar.html for registration and lodging information. You can also contact Marvin Oey at moey@asce.org or 703-295-6397.