Recognition: Different Things to Different People

As one of the 11,000+ CSI volunteer members (and also one of almost 20,000 CDTs), my involvement with the Construction Specifications Institute is because I truly do believe in its Mission: to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance.  I just celebrated my 5 year anniversary of joining CSI last week and in that time, I’ve gained countless valuable friends and had innumerable experiences and memories that will last me a lifetime.  

Proper involvement within CSI should go well beyond joining and adding CSI to your business card and email signature.  Chapter meetings are a great place to start, with most meeting one day a month.  Joining a Chapter committee is another way to get involved, as is passing your Certified Document Technologist (CDT) exam or attaining one of the 3 advanced CSI certifications – the CCPR, CCS or CCCA.  The CSI Annual Convention and trade show, CONSTRUCT, may be the grandest experience of them all.  A convergence of over a thousand members from all walks of life who congregate to hug, shake hands, learn, share and laugh, happens to take place this year in Baltimore from September 9th to the 12th, 2014.  The grand finale of CONSTRUCT is the induction of the new CSI Fellows. Since CSI Fellowship was introduced in 1959, only a few hundred members have been elevated to Fellow. Fellowship is one of the highest honors bestowed by CSI and one of many awards that the Institute bestows on their members.  The various CSI Regions and Chapters also give out awards and as CSI members are volunteers and not paid positions, these awards are a true thank you to the work that is put in by the recipient member.

I have been extremely fortunate to be active in the Allentown Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute over the last 5 years. A Chapter that now has 2 active member Fellows in Sal Verrastro and Mitch Miller, that is hosting its 36th year running a very successful product expo & educational seminars on April 16, and one that has now received five Outstanding Chapter Commendations from the Institute.  I believe we have been most fortunate to have an incredible Immediate Past President who also is our Program Chair and Awards Chair in David Wrigley, the Director of Specifications for Spillman Farmer Architects.  I consider myself lucky to call Dave a friend and can only fathom the hours he has spent over the last few years alone submitting the Allentown awards into the Region, as well as the Institute so that the hard work of our Chapter members can be duly recognized.  Just last week he shared the news that our Chapter received FIVE Mid-Atlantic Region awards, including:

Lee Ann Slattery – Winner of the Robert P. Brosseau Memorial Award, Dave Fenstermacher – Winner of the George C. Neuhausel Memorial Award, Jon Lattin – Winner of the Communications Award, Barry Isett And Associates – Winner of the Organizational Certificate of Merit and Mitch Miller – Winner of the Education Award.

Being fortunate enough to know Lee Ann, Dave, Jon and Mitch, I know the work that they put in during the day that pays the bills and then the additional time they put in before and after work for the Allentown Chapter of CSI.  These awards are a true way for them to receive thanks for all that they do and the time that they spend to contribute to the same Mission of CSI that I live by.

I have been extremely blessed to have received an Award from the Allentown Chapter and further, one that could rightfully be given to any active member.  As then President of our Chapter, David Wrigley led the awards announcements on June 20, 2012.  These words alone are ones that will stick with me for a long while:

“This next Award is a very Special Award, because it is given to the person whom the President feels has shown amazing devotion and selfless personal commitment to the Chapter in the administration of the Chapter’s affairs over the past year. Whenever I have asked the gentleman for something, no matter what it was, he got it to me as quick as he could, as correct as it could be, and with his own opinion on what he thought was best and why……I respect that. I said earlier that I thought a sizable portion of the Expo’s success could be attributed to his e-mail blasts and the constant contacts lists he has, not to mention the tweeting and blogging he does on behalf of the chapter. But it is also his unbridled devotion to CSI that has gotten him to where we are tonight.

On a more serious note: Last September, we were both at the National Convention, in Chicago. After the convention, we ended up driving home together. He quizzed me and asked me questions about spec-writing and all kinds of other construction related topics, like he was actually interested. We talked almost the whole ride home. I don’t know about you, but spending 11 hours in a sealed vehicle……..talking with a spec-writer…………..is more than most individuals can stand in a lifetime, let alone in one day!! Now if that isn’t amazing devotion and selfless personal commitment to the Chapter, I don’t know what is!!

So, in lieu of combat pay…………….. I am very pleased, and happy to present the 2011 – 2012 President’s Award to Mr. Eric Lussier”

The plaque above is only a reminder of how great it felt to be recognized for all of my work and effort that I was more than happy to do.  The President’s Award was the icing on the cake and the ultimate recognition that we all really do like to hear.  Who doesn’t like to hear ‘You look nice today’, ‘You did great work on that proposal’, ‘Congratulations on getting that project’ or ‘I am very pleased, and happy to present……’?!?

Take the time and help recognize those CSI members that continue to go above and beyond.  The deadline to submit nominations for the FY14 CSI Honors & Awards program (including the Outstanding Chapter Commendation for FY2013 covering data from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013) is 5 PM Eastern, May 2, 2014. Recipients will be recognized at CONSTRUCT & The CSI Annual Convention in 2014. Submit your nomination at www.csinet.org/awards.

Special honors, including Fellowship, have unique and specific requirements. Download the 2014 Honors and Award Guide (PDF) at www.csinet.org/HAGuide.

Final Registration is 2/28 to get #CSIcertified

Whether an emerging professional, new to your company or new to your position, personal advancement through a professional certification is a tremendous asset in more ways than one.

In the construction industry, the certifications through the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) carry weight with many of the major players of a project – the owner, the architect, the general contractor, product representative or construction manager.

CSI’s Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) program is the prerequisite to CSI’s advanced Certifications: Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA); Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) and Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR).

Whether you are new to the construction industry or a 50 year veteran, the CDT program can and will help you with an overall building project. If you find yourself lost in a 1500 page, 32 division project manual, the CDT can help you understand where to find what you are looking for and just how that project unfolds from conception to delivery.

I can tell you first hand how much attaining the CDT has assisted me in my job. As I mentioned in my previous post, before I started attending the CDT trainings, I focused mainly on Division 9 of architectural specifications, where you can find the sport flooring that I represent. Week after week of studying and learning from the PRM, my eyes were opened to just how much broader of a scope a project is. From project conception right through to commissioning, I was able to more thoroughly understand all of the facets and parties involved.

The time has come to register and the final push is on as the final registration deadline for CSI certification is March 2, 2012. Register now at http://csinet.org/Main-Menu-Category/Certification

You are never alone when you work with CSI, either. Whether a member or a CDT test taker, fellow CSI members like myself are always there to help. Through blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or the tried and true phone call, we’re always glad to help.

CSI Bloggers include David Stutzman, CSI, CCS from Conspectus. “What was my first project after graduating college with an architectural degree? A prominent design? No, measuring and documenting 65 existing buildings at Letterkenny Army Depot; calculating energy savings; estimating construction costs; and finally writing the project specifications using the Corps of Engineers master specs.” Read David’s blog: http://www.conspectusinc.com/blog/

Liz O’Sullivan, CSI, CCS, CCCA: “There’s SO MUCH to learn – all of us in the construction industry are constantly learning (or should be). Much of this knowledge can ONLY be gained through experience, but not all of it has to be.A really good way to learn about how your documents may be interpreted by the users is to prepare for a CSI certification exam, starting with the CDT (Construction Documents Technologist) exam.” Read Liz’s blog:http://lizosullivanaia.wordpress.com/

Tara Imani, CSI: “I’m also a CSI CDT; meaning I took the time 111 years ago, to understand how a good legal set of contract documents are put together and administered.So, as you can tell, I have a lot of education but it’s all because I thought it was important to broaden my understanding of this complex industry at that time in my career; I didn’t do it to add initials after my name!” Read Tara’s blog: http://www.indigoarchitect.com/

The last few weeks to register are here!  Head over to http://csinet.org/Main-Menu-Category/Certification to sign up.

Out of All #CSIstats, You’re the 1 that Matters

As of late, some numbers have been circulating under the hashtag #CSIstats and on the CSInet blog (http://csinet.org/csistats).   In case you have missed it, CSI launched the #CSIStats information campaign with the goal of helping CSI leaders understand where CSI stands today by sharing facts about the Institute.

While some of these numbers hit home with most of the membership (1 in 4 members are architects or designers and 1 in 4 members are product representatives), there are also those that are more surprising (1 in 6 members either gave no email address or have addresses that are blocked/undeliverable and 56% is the average retention rate for members under the age of 50).  Although the #CSIstats program is relatively new and has produced four weeks of numbers, it has been intriguing to see the results.  Fortunately, I’ve been involved with multiple regions, as well as multiple chapters, so I have seen these numbers in action.  All in all, an interesting mix of people and groups over my five years with the Construction Specifications Institute.

But out of all of the numbers that have been published to date, there is a unique number that matters the most as it pertains to the past 60 years of CSI and the future of the organization. That number is 1.  For 1 is all it takes to ask questions, give answers, attend meetings, present a topic, push the envelope and shake up the norm.  While the CSI organization consists of over 10,000 industry professionals including specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, facility managers, product representatives, manufacturers, owners and more, it truly is the power of 1 that can make a difference.  

Nowhere has the power of 1 been more evident that in the #CSIkraken message that has been spread within the organization since the Summer of 2013.   What is a CSIKraken?  Portland CSI sums it up best:  It is a movement, an attitude, a desire to aspire. Kraken’s never give up, always help, are positive and supportive, they find solutions and teach.  They are committed, passionate, dedicated and make it happen.  1 is the number of Kraken’s it takes to shake up a meeting, a Chapter, even a Region or an Organization if they truly have the mentality that they want to make a difference and have the willingness to spread the Kraken fever.

1 does not have to be a Kraken to spread the message or infuse your passion within CSI.  1 should just look to get involved and see if what is offered is for you: formats, technology, education, certification and more.  The more, for me, is the 10,000+ strong network of individuals who freely share their knowledge, help those who ask for assistance and go out of their way to spread the mission of CSI: to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance.

I am a month away from my five year anniversary of joining CSI. A decision that I will truly never regret and am thankful for each and every day.  Thankful for the education I have attained, for the places I’ve traveled and most especially for the people I have met.  I am excited for the future of CSI and while I know the organization is going through their own growing pains, I also know that there are people involved that care deeply enough to not let it fail or stagnate, whether a self described CSIkraken or otherwise.

I encourage you to join, renew or just plain get involved and help spread the exponential power of 1.

Are You Sharing Your Wealth?

To many, the definition of wealth is money. Being part of the 99%, I know that I most likely will never attain the financial wealth that places me in the 1%.  I’m OK with that as I have other levels of wealth that I place higher than the financial side.

I have wealth in my home life.  I am blessed with three incredible children and my fiance, who has now been with me for 6 years and whom I’ve known for 30 years.  I have wonderful parents and a great sister who live close by.  I have “in-laws” that I couldn’t ask to be any nicer.  We have a roof over our head, drive two safe and reliable vehicles and have a garage to place them in at night. I couldn’t be more thankful for all of these things.

I also have access to a wealth of information.  I have always considered myself to be a fairly informed individual. I like to stay privy of cutting edge technology, trends and more.  I have always felt that one of the tremendous strengths of Twitter is the ability to acquire information instantly.  No longer do we wait for the morning paper, the 6PM news or breaking stories on CNN.  Now it is possible to pull out a device not much bigger than your palm and FOR FREE you have access to NOW.  Sure, hundreds of thousands of news outlets are sharing on Twitter, but more so millions of individuals are sharing their knowledge and their now.  It is certainly not all ‘I’m having bologna for lunch!’ or ‘I’m out walking the dog and it’s cold!’ so, how come you haven’t given Twitter a whirl?  I find no better platform to accumulate and disseminate information and I really don’t envision a better medium coming along anytime soon, if ever.

What are you doing with your wealth of information?  I like to share mine, whether through my blog, Twitter (http://twitter.com/ericdlussier), LinkedIn (Connect with me! www.linkedin.com/in/ericdlussier/) or any of my other social media accounts (http://about.me/ericdlussier) and email.  Sometimes, I even use the phone.

Personally, I really enjoy adding to my wealth of information through CSI, the Construction Specifications Institute is an organization that is 13,000 volunteers strong that understand it is in no one’s best interest to hoard information.  Free sharing of wealth is abundant within CSI. Whether you are acquiring it a local level through a Chapter or seeing a CSI Speaker in person, at a National Conference like CONSTRUCT or the CSI Academies, or through Twitter itself, you have direct (and most likely free!) access to building owners, construction specifiers, engineers, architects, interior designers, manufacturers and product representatives who share their wealth.  Chances are, you don’t even have to be a CSI member to acquire knowledge from these outlets, but it certainly helps!

I do feel that the World is in a better place when you share your wealth.  I wish I could share more monetarily, especially come Holiday season, but for the time being, I share what is valuable to me: knowledge and information.  Have a question on indoor sports flooring or concrete moisture?  Ask away. Want to know my thoughts on craft beer or music?  I like those too!  Don’t even bother asking about the Dallas Cowboys right now.  My sharing of knowledge is always free.

Joining is Just the Start

Words and thoughts that seem forced do no good for anyone.  If it seems too polished, too pushy or too cookie cutter, the message is lost, or more so, just plain old ignored.  Whether these words come out of your mouth, or in your marketing brochure, website, or even in your social media, it all falls on deaf ears if it is not from the heart.

Almost five years ago, I met a community of individuals where their words, thoughts and actions never seem pushed. It could be at a 7AM committee meeting, a 6PM Chapter meeting or a phone call anytime in between, my interactions with these people was always sincere, warm and authentic.  Too often nowadays our dealings with individuals make you feel like that person is just going through the motions and just doing what it takes to get by, either to punch out, to collect the paycheck or to provide just enough information to barely answer the question.  On the brink of five years in this community and I’ve never felt that someone is just skirting by, forcing an issue or even trying to play deceptive.

Answers and information are easier to come by dealing with these people.  Handshakes and smiles more easily exchanged.  At one point, perhaps this was more of the norm, but now it seems more of the exception to the rule.  I will always be thankful of having an equal seat at this table that is the Construction Specifications Institute.  12,000+ members strong and embodied of not just construction specifiers, but also owners, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, product representatives and more. All living and breathing the mission of CSI: to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance.

Joining is just the start.  Attending programs and event is a step in the right direction.  Getting involved on a committee or in local Chapter leadership is the path to the finish line.  There are indeed individuals out there that have clear and honest intent in the construction industry.  CSI may not be the only organization that you will find them, but it is the one that I trust the most.  I haven’t been led astray in my 5 years and don’t believe that I will be anytime soon.

From now until Friday, November 22nd, you have a unique opportunity to join this fray and pay only $192 for national dues — a 20% savings.

1.Log onto www.csinet.org/join

2.Select “Join Now”, and then click “Sign Up as a New Member”

3.Enter Promotion Code CSIsocial13 when prompted

4.Click the “Add Discount” button

Be sure to seek out and join one of the 100+ Chapters of CSI that you can find across the USA.  Build your brand, add your voice to the mix and share your unique knowledge. #joinCSI

The Core Missions of a CSI Region

 

I’m almost 5 years into my ‘tenure’ with the Construction Specifications Institute and have been an active member of the Allentown, PA Chapter, as well as the Vermont Chapter as of late.  These 2 Chapters fall under two distinct regions of CSI, with Allentown representing the Mid-Atlantic Region and Vermont being a member of the Northeast Region.

I have not had a chance to fully involve myself into either Region, but have attended events within each, as well as Caucuses for each at the last 2 CONSTRUCT conferences.

Becoming more active in a Chapter has set off an internal strife I have had about becoming more active in the Region.  I have asked numerous active members about the ‘purpose’ of a Region and up to now and have yet to receive a strong argument as to why I should become a more active participant in a Region.  That is, until now.  J.W. Mollohan of the Kansas City Chapter and the President of the North Central Region has penned a terrific summary of the core missions of a CSI Region.  While his post below only went out to those receiving the CSI Leaders email that hit inboxes on October 25th, I feel that the post needed to be shared with the general CSI public.

Thank you, J.W. for sharing your words with the CSI Leaders and allowing me to share those with the World.

The Core Missions of a CSI Region

Written by J.W. Mollohan, CSI, CCPR

By virtue of our inclusion in the Institute Board’s annual transition planning session, the leaders of CSI’s ten regions gathered recently in Atlanta and again at CONSTRUCT in Nashville. Thinking back to Atlanta, a lively discussion of common issues ensued. Endeavoring to hold our core mission in constant sight, we sought to define the services provided our constituent chapters and, ultimately, our members. The items listed below garnered multiple endorsements:

• Sharing best practices among our chapters’ and leaders
• Aiding chapters in maintaining minimum operating standards
• Creating a sense of community among the region’s chapters
• Offering guidance for each of the chapters’ standing committees
• Sharing educational programs and speakers among chapters
• Providing leadership training for chapter and region leaders
• Recognizing achievement at all levels of CSI
• Establishing academic networks among regional schools
• Educating our regional membership on Institute initiatives

Most encouraging was a common statement of commitment to listening to our chapters and members, so that the services we deliver are those most desired. This local connection is difficult for Institute to replicate. As a body, we are confident that the regions remain an integral link in the chain of information from member to Institute.

As region leaders continue to meet, we will be sure to pass along the great info they continue to talk about.

Our Modern Day Sandbox

Attending numerous education sessions at CONSTRUCT in Nashville last month, I was hit with an overwhelming theme during multiple sessions. These were not just sessions geared towards construction product reps like myself, either. One was delivered by David Stutzman (@dstutzman), an independent specifier for Conspectus, called “But That’s Not What I Meant! Specifying the Architect’s Intent” (click to access slides and handout) and the other was “Architect/Consulting Engineer Coordination: Closing the Gap” (click to access overview) presented by Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) who holds 23 years of experience for an architectural firm and currently is the Standards Coordinator for an MEP Engineering Firm.

Both of these sessions were presented to full rooms, with the core of the attendants being architects, specifiers or engineers. The essential moral of each of these presentations, as is commonplace within CSI, was delivering a project under ideal conditions within a full embodied team. However, as the real world shines through quite well in construction, this does not normally occur. The issues that David and Cherise both face all too many times entail one common issue: communication. Trying to build a project takes many people from many companies covering many responsibilities. While trying to see the forest (the project) through the trees (the phases of the project, the players involved, the design documents and more), it only makes sense to share, collaborate and discuss to help attain the goal. The earlier that everyone comes to this realization, the easier it should be to complete the project. BUT, even with contracts binding parties together, I kept hearing of the same issue over and over again: that people weren’t talking and weren’t sharing and not in a timely fashion. David is confronted with trying to write a specification for a project that was only in 50% design documents “and not very good design documents” and Cherise is trying to cooridinate her MEP with mere weeks left in a project schedule and with incomplete information.

Inspired by a great quote tweeted by Marvin Kemp (@BaltoCSI), “In a collaborative environment, you should listen, not wait to talk”. However, in order to listen, you do need to open the lines of communication. We’re not trying to steal the nuclear launch codes here, we’re trying to give the owner his ultimate vision. Why is it so hard to talk to those that we are working with? We’re so connected in this day and age, it is frightening. As Mitch Miller (@m2architek) shared “Technology is allowing access to more information, at an accelerating pace every day.” Before smartphones giving us email, posts, Tweets and more, there was only desktop email. Before desktop email, there was the traditional telephone and it came with a cord! Before the telephone, there was mail and courier service. Before mail there was only the telegram. Going back before the telegram, face to face was the only true way to communicate, and it is hard to mis-interpret someone when you are staring someone in the eye. However, you do still need to listen. The next quote I read today has a few meanings, but it does fit into this listening theme: “Consider where you focus your attention. Is it where it matters most?”

If you have the project in sight and the owner’s best interest in mind, shouldn’t we all be able to play along? We may no longer be a child in the sandbox at the park where we have no worries and no enemies, but a construction project does normally start with site work (our modern day sandbox) and in the end, don’t we all just want to get along and ‘play nice’?

There’s Always Been Change, Now, it’s the Speed of Change

Working within any industry that has tried and true roots, the need for a change of ways only seems to be pushed by the atmosphere around you.  In our ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality, we seem to remain firmly implanted in the footsteps of those before us and content to not waiver off course.  Nowhere has this been more true than in my experience in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.  Policies, SOP’s, methods and more have led many companies to many years of success.  And why bother to change and adapt to the world around you? The mantra ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’ has worked for so long, many principals and presidents have seen no reason to adapt.

That was then, this is now.

The scary thing is ‘then’ was barely ten years ago, if that.  Our world is changing around us daily, if not hourly.  It is impossible to keep up with the start-up and technology driven age we are living in.  What once could take years of concept, research, design and delivery has been compressed into what seems like mere days.  Think tanks and crowdsourcing is the new norm and the power of one has now become the power of many.  No longer is the need for change inevitable, it is mandatory.

This all hit home harder than ever last week in Nashville, while attending #CONSTRUCT, the Construction Specifications Institute’s (CSI) annual convention and affiliated Trade Show from Hanley Wood.  After Institute President Casey Robb impressed the need to ‘Step up your game with CSI’, the keynote address was delivered by Ira Blumenthal and entitled ‘Change is Inevitable:  Building Your Brand for the Future’.  In a well researched and passionately delivered address to the general assembly of CSI members, Ira’s presentation really hit home on the absolute need for change. Starting off with asking ‘How many people flew here today?…….on Eastern Airlines?’, many thought-provoking messages were hammered home on not just how the AEC industry has changed, but on how the world has changed and how FAST it is changing.  Remember when McDonald’s rolled out the McCafe to keep up with the coffee industry?  They are now selling the 2nd most coffee in the industry – all because of the need to adapt to their industry around them.

The change in the world may have hit home hardest when the following ‘critical mass’ slide was shown:

‘Critical mass’ for the sake of this presentation was the adoption of new technology by 50 million Americans.  What once took 25 years to reach 50 million users in television has adapted through just one year for my social media medium of choice, Twitter.  Facebook may have taken 2 years to reach ‘critical mass’, but now there are 1.15 BILLION users as of June 2013 – over 15 percent of the WORLD population. While Twitter and Facebook may not be at the backbone of your organization, or even used by your marketing team, it is a great indication on how things are indeed changing around us.

Change isn’t easy, whether it is personal changes that you need to make within or to your company as a whole.  However, change is not only inevitable and mandatory.  As Ira said, ‘most people and organizations change because they are forced to change.  Why wait for a fire to install smoke detectors?’ His answer: ‘we become paralyzed by our paradigms.’ The mentality of ‘This is the way we have always done it’ is the mindset of extinct organizations, like Eastern Airlines.   Simply put by Ira, ‘Ignore change, and you will die.’  The message sent was widely received by all: 500 plus members of the Construction Specifications Institute; an organization 65 years in the making in perhaps one of the most changing industries out there: AEC.  Don’t be afraid to break some rules, alter the guidelines and invent something new. ‘But this is how we’ve always done it’ is not how your organization is going to bring itself into 2014 and beyond.  Whether to build a better building or deliver your product, you can’t be afraid to ask questions, form allegiances and raise the bar.

I came home from Nashville with one of Ira’s messages flowing through me: ‘Your history means nothing. Today and tomorrow, you must do it again and do it better.’  Think big and raise the bar – it is how you change and grow that matters today.

(Note: I would be remiss if I didn’t give a hat tip to @KaitlinSolomon3 of CSI who put together a great Storify summary of September 25, 2013, which you can see here and to my fellow Tweeps for their Tweets of a great keynote: @DStutzman, @TheGainesGroup, @LizOSullivanAIA, @cheriseschacter, @m2architek, @rietta_mccain, @matt_porta, @speclawyer and @vivianvolz)

For those that are interested in watching the first 5 minutes of Ira’s keynote to CONSTRUCT, I have shared it on YouTube:

#CSIsocial at #CONSTRUCT

At 100 days out, I booked my flight and planned my week for #CONSTRUCT.  My can’t miss event of the year for the AEC industry is on my radar now every year.  I knew where (Nashville) and I knew when (September 24-27, 2013) and I’m a horrible procrastinator, especially when it comes to travel.  So booking at 100 days out was incredibly in advance for me.  But this year seems different.  This year seems more important to me.  The more involved I get with the Construction Specifications Institute (February will be my 5 year anniversary for me), the more I feel in tune with other members and the organization as a whole.  Since CONSTRUCT in Phoenix in 2012, I’ve stayed more in touch with a handful of individuals and gotten more involved when I joined an additional chapter with CSI Vermont.

I already had high hopes for this year’s event and my level of excitement was through the roof for CONSTRUCT in 2013.  And then the week seemingly got even better.  The official TweetUp was announced (Thursday 9/26 CSI booth #435 from 2-4pm), I was asked to join a panel on CSI blogging on Friday morning in the CSI Member Lounge Rm 205C and the full #CSIsocial event list was announced.  Check out all of the events here: http://www.csinet.org/socialmediaconstruct including a #CSIchallenge scavenger hunt.

Our days are filled with education, sharing and networking.  Our nights are filled with friends, events and laughs. #CONSTRUCT is only 2 weeks away and you still have time to attend and join in the fun.  If at all possible, don’t miss your chance to attend. Visit http://constructshow.com/ for everything you need to know.

Don’t miss out.

Three Weeks until #CONSTRUCT

It seems like just a few weeks ago I was in Phoenix for the first time.  Then a few weeks before that was Chicago.  It turns out that PHX was 1 year ago this month and the Windy City was one year before that.  It is incredible how fast time has flown over the last few years.  My daughter has become a Tween, my once newborn son has entered the ‘Terrible Two’s’ and we now have a 1 month old daughter on our hands.  They say the older we get, the faster time goes.  I’m not so sure I’m ready for that.

I am ready to go to Nashville this month, though.  The reason being for the same event that I went to Arizona last year and Chicago the year before that: CONSTRUCT.  The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Annual National Convention and Tradeshow attracts the ‘Who’s Who’ from the AEC community.  Especially those that look to educate themselves and others all while meeting up with friends that get together all to sparingly.  Camaraderie is strong and the willingness to share is even stronger in CSI.  Dozens of the AEC industry’s thought leaders are set to speak with over 50 seminars slated over four days this coming September 24th through the 27th.  That is coupled with a Tradeshow that is truly about learning, sharing and educating.  Complete with a Learning Pavilion and hundreds of exhibitors eager to share the latest in building products, CONSTRUCT has quickly become my only can’t miss convention of the year.

My schedule is fairly full from the start on Tuesday morning, September 24th, straight through to Friday, September 27th.  Seminars on specifications, marketing, relationships and more fill my time.  Thursday could be a highlight of the stay with not only a TweetUp at 2pm in the CSI Booth 435 , but also a private event at the Country Music Hall of Fame hosted by the Nashville Chapter of CSI.  Thousands will be converging on Nashville for this event.  While most are strangers to each other, all have the mission of CSI in mind: “to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance”.

Those that I feel closest to are connected through the digital realm.  We may not share a Chapter, but we do share the mission and the love of social media.  Through Tweets, webinars, LinkedIn Groups, TweetChats, Facebook posts and more, a core group of CSI Tweeps keep in touch digitally, but utilize CONSTRUCT as our reunion and homecoming all tied into one.  The big event has not even started and plans are underway for TweetUps, blogging panels and perhaps the Grand Finale – a post CSI Honors & Awards Gala on Friday night.  Keep your ears peeled for details on that!

It’s not too late to attend this can’t miss event.   It’s only three weeks out and we all know how fast time goes by.  Visit http://constructshow.com for more information on attending. If you can’t attend, be sure to tune into the #CONSTRUCT hashtag.