Bob Treadway takes the virtual stage at the CISCA Fall Conference to forecast the outlook for the construction industry as it moves into an uncertain future. Treadway is a globally-praised consulting futurist, strategy advisor, and leadership educator. For the past 33 years he’s helped organizations and leaders look ahead, plan flexibly, and take action on the future. Clients like Gillette, Berkshire Hathaway, ExxonMobil, Syngenta, Motorola, Hilton, US Gypsum, the Federal Reserve, Dow, AT&T, the National League of Cities, and the Social Security Administration use his services to help understand uncertainty, anticipate coming events, make better decisions, and develop robust strategic plans.

The coronavirus has harmed the construction industry, prompting project delays and cancellations, layoffs and furloughs, yet it remains difficult for a majority of firms to find craft workers to hire, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk. The survey paints a picture of an industry in need of immediate recovery measures and longer-term workforce development support, association officials added.

Video is no longer the medium of the future, it’s the medium of the moment, and its value cannot be overlooked. Here’s some food for thought: 52% of consumers say that watching product videos makes them more confident in purchasing decisions, while 72% of businesses say they have improved their conversion rate with video.

Steep monthly declines in public and private nonresidential construction spending offset a surge in homebuilding in July, while industry employment decreased compared to July 2019 levels in two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released recently. Association officials said many commercial construction firms were likely to continue shedding jobs without needed federal coronavirus relief measures.

The onus to collect and pay back deferred payroll taxes, under guidance the IRS has released on President Trump's executive order, falls on employers.

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 320 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2018 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

Workers’ opinions about returning to the office amid the COVID-19 pandemic vary greatly based on each individual’s situation, but most want their employer to take certain actions to ensure their safety when they do, results of a recent survey show.

We have opened our all-new, redesigned Construction Excellence Awards entry website early this year. Planning to submit for a 2021 award? Get started now and avoid the end-of-year rush. Applications are due January 31, 2021. For complete details on the 2021 Awards, view the awards flyer.

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.

Glenn Linaweaver, former owner of George Will Company and a long-time member of CISCA,

passed away peacefully, Aug. 15, 2020 at the age of 81. He was surrounded by his family.

Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions is now offering its Health Zone™ ceiling systems and Clean Room Grid systems — currently contributing to protection of staff and patients in hospitals and healthcare facilities — to all building owners who want occupants to be and feel safer indoors.

AD has named David Kinsella as president of its Electrical–U.S. Division with the unanimous backing of the Electrical-U.S. board. Dave currently serves as the division’s member relations vice president and will assume his new responsibilities as president effective Sep. 21.

To accommodate its growth in Colorado, the global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP moved to a new 41,000-square foot, two-floor office suite at 1144 Fifteenth Street in downtown Denver. The city's first Class A office tower in more than 30 years and one of its tallest, the 40-story property serves as a hub of innovation and collaboration. This 670,000-square-foot next-generation workplace also stands as a statement of sustainability and efficiency demonstrated by its LEED Gold pre-certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

With the introduction of integrated downlighting solutions for its WoodWorks® Ceiling Systems, Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions is ensuring a flush fit between the downlight and the ceiling panel for a sleek visual.

The recently opened Christine E. Lynn University Center creates a warm, welcoming place for students to gather within the 115-acre campus in Boca Raton, Florida. Gensler’s Tampa-based team selected Rockfon’s acoustic stone wool panels, Chicago Metallic® suspension system and Infinity™ perimeter for a complete ceiling solution to meet the project’s aesthetic, performance and sustainable design goals.

AD has finalized the merger agreement with Tampa-based SafetyNetwork and set Jan. 1, 2021 as the closing date, creating AD’s only safety-dedicated division focused on the growth of independent distributors specializing in the safety market.