IMPACT Courts Contractors, Ironworkers with Value-added Breakout Sessions, Courses

The 2012 North American Iron Workers/Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) Labor-Management Conference in Las Vegas, January 29 - February 1, will feature commentaries from contractors, owners and construction employer groups of all sizes and stripes from across North America, according to a January 6 news release.

"We know contractors and Ironworkers would have to pay hundreds-sometimes even thousands-of dollars to attend workshops and breakout sessions like the ones the Iron Workers Union offers at our annual Conference," says Eric Waterman, CEO of IMPACT, in the release. "We're pleased to offer all of them free of charge."

Of particular importance this year is a discussion with contractors and owners on January 30, moderated by IMPACT Co-Chair William Brown. IMPACT general officers Walter Wise, Eric Dean and Ed McHugh will partake of the discussion along with all Iron Worker district council presidents.

A number of conference breakout sessions highlight the advances in 3D building modeling and mobile technologies over the past year. "What the Hell is BIM?" introduces contractors and Ironworkers to the 3D world of Building Information Modeling (BIM). Harvey Swift, assistant director of education and training, will moderate a breakout session on iPhone and iPad apps in the construction industry, while Brennan Gamwell, communications specialist, will moderate "I'm Already Online … and I Didn't Even Know It," a session focused on taking control of branding conversations on the Web.

The Iron Workers will showcase its online project tracking systems, search tools designed to help partner contractors locate and bid jobs in the region. A breakout session on the steel supply chain, hosted by Erin Conaway of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), promises value in the form of continuing education credits for all contractors and ironworkers who attend.

"Transparency in the Glazing Business," a special breakout session focusing on ornamental ironworking, will be moderated by General Secretary Eric Dean. Lyle Hill, managing director of Keytech North America will speak.

Also offered in conjunction with this year's conference are "Effective Project Management" on February 1 and "Getting Paid" on February 2, two contractor courses designed to help contractors improve efficiency and money flow within their business, the end result being to maximize profits and grow market share.

"It is exciting to see my colleagues benefit from such amazing programs," says William Brown, IMPACT's management co-chair, in the release. "To be able to host a breakout session for contractors and ironworkers-and learn from others-shows just how important it is to both share with and listen to colleagues."