On behalf of the AWCI Board of Directors and CISCA Board of Directors, the decision has been made to cancel AWCI’s Convention & INTEX Expo 20 and CISCA’s Convention & INTEX Expo 20 scheduled for March 23-26 in Las Vegas due to concerns related to coronavirus (COVID-19). This was not an easy decision for our respective organizations. However, it is our obligation to do what is in the best interests of all attendees and our staff. 

Experts predict COVID-19 will have long-term ramifications for many aspects of the U.S. construction industry.

Construction technology is undoubtedly one of the most exciting pockets of innovation in today’s economy. Funding in U.S.-based construction technology startups surged by 324 percent to nearly $3.1 billion in 2018, compared with $731 million in 2017, according to Crunchbase data.  Investment spans hardware, software, AI and other exciting technologies.

The global hotel construction pipeline hit a record high at the end of 2019, according to the latest report from Lodging Econometrics, with 15,000 projects totaling 2.5 million rooms in various stages of planning and construction, an 11 percent increase in the number of projects and an 8 percent increase in the number of rooms from the year ending 2018. LE's count includes hotels in the early planning stages (3,608 projects; 582,818 rooms), slated to start construction in the next 12 months (4,533; 654,474) and underway (6,859; 1.2 million).

As COVID-19 continues to expand around the United States and the world, it may only be a matter of time before U.S. construction projects are affected by the virus. Performance bonds guarantee that a project will be completed by a contractor according to the contract. However, what if a contractor cannot complete a project on time due to widespread disease? What, if any, impact could the virus have on a contractor’s surety bond program?

Construction employment increased in 32 states in January compared to both December and January 2019, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released recently. Association officials said that the data was collected well before the coronavirus began to impact the economy and that construction employment levels are likely to decline beginning in March as the virus impacts many parts of the economy.

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh has ordered construction projects in the city to be shut down for at least the next two weeks in response to the coronavirus outbreak, which has stricken 33 of the city’s residents as of Tuesday morning.

The chief executive officer of AGC of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to steps being taken to put in place arbitrary halts to construction activity in certain parts of the country.

The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is generating concerns in the workplace, and employers have questions—understandably so. As of March 17, the CDC had reported 4,226 cases of COVID-19 in 53 states and jurisdictions nationwide, along with 75 deaths.

CISCA is the global premier authority for the interior construction, acoustical ceilings and acoustical treatment industry, fostering professional development and exchanges for and between association members and industry professionals. Be sure to visit our website often as new material is posted regularly.

CISCA is the global premier authority for the interior construction, acoustical ceilings and acoustical treatment industry. Market your products/services to the multi-billion dollar interior systems industry today.

The Hilti Group increased sales by 4.3 percent in 2019 to CHF 5.9 billion amid a challenging economic and currency environment. In local currencies growth amounted to 6.3 percent. The operating result rose by 7.4 percent to CHF 783 million despite substantial ongoing investments.

Ladders continue to be a leading cause of falls in the workplace. Effective training is critical. Our ladder safety training is easy to take: (1) Each employee watches a high quality ladder safety training video. (2) Take a test and get a certificate of completion. It's that easy!

 

Course description and objectives: The course educates workers in the potential hazards of working with ladders and methods to eliminate or control the hazards. OSHA’s ladder requirements are discussed and how they apply to construction work.

 

· Introduction to ladder safety. 

· Understanding different types of ladders and how to choose the correct ladder. Focus is given to portable extension and step ladders. Consideration is given to what type of work will be done, where the work will be done, and understanding the weight capacities of ladders. 

· Proper procedures for inspecting ladders are reviewed.

· Understanding how to use ladders safely. This includes how to set up, access, and work off ladders.

· OSHA standards and best safe work practices are taught.