The Heritage Foundation: Labor Department Can Create Jobs by Calculating Davis–Bacon Rates More Accurately

According to a report issued by the Heritage Foundation, the United States Department of Labor   uses unscientific and flawed methods to estimate the Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage rates. The report found, amongst other findings, that current surveys do not use statistically representative samples have tiny sample sizes and combine data from economically unrelated counties or set local wages using statewide data. Furthermore, nearly half of the surveys are over a decade old and don’t account for economic changes over the last ten year. The report concludes by suggesting the DOL should switch to Bureau of Labor Statistics data to get a more accurate reading of wage data.

 

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Overview of New Hotel Engine and Travelers Haven Programs

Date: Thursday, July 1, 2018 Watch Now
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Eastern)
Length: 30 Minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Drew McGeein

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
This webinar provides an overview of the new Hotel Engine/Travelers Haven discount programs.  In addition to an overview, a demo of the online platform features for each program is reviewed.
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George Mason University: Prevailing Wage Legislation and the Continuing Significance of Race

A study released in June 2018 by the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School found that prevailing wage laws discriminate against minority construction workers who have been traditionally underrepresented in labor unions. By examining the Davis-Bacon Act and the original intent of the law to exclude African-American construction workers from working on federal projects, to looking at the continuing effects of prevailing wage laws and the lack of minority participation in labor unions, the authors conclude  that prevailing wage legislation has been a disaster for minority construction workers.

 

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Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence Finds Flawed and Outdated Prevailing Wage Calculation Process

A study released by the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence found that the
prevailing wage determination process utilized by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry leads to inaccurate wage rates on construction projects. A disproportionate 75 percent of prevailing wages reflected union rates in the period analyzed in the study, even though just 32 percent of private construction workers in Minnesota belong to a union. The authors also discovered that 72 percent of all prevailing wage rates were set using old rates, imported rates or a combination of both.  

 

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Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion: Update on Final Report and Other Significant Apprenticeship Issues

Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 Watch Now
Time: 2 p.m. (ET) / 1 p.m. (CT) / 12 p.m. (MT) / 11 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 Minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Michael D. Bellaman, President and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
  Greg Sizemore, ABC Vice President of HSE and Workforce Development  

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
On Oct. 6, 2017, Michael D. Bellaman, president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), was appointed by U.S. Department of Labor Secretary R. Alexander Acosta to the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, created by President Trump’s Executive Order 13801 June 15, 2017.

ABC served on two of the four task force subcommittees—those charged with attracting business to apprenticeship and expanding access, equity and career awareness. The subcommittees offered numerous recommendations, which were detailed in the final apprenticeship report issued on May 10. Read the rest of entry »

National Political Update & ABC Engagement (Invitation Only)

Date: Thursday, June 7, 2018 Watch Now
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Eastern)
Length: One hour (15min political landscape overview; 30min best practices session; 15min Q & A)
Fee: Free
Speaker: Jim Ellis, Ellis Insight, LLC
   Mike Choutka, Hensel Phelps  
   Ryan Wathen, Rodgers Builders, Inc.  

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
The 2018 election year will once again be important to the continued success of ABC and its members. As a key stakeholder in the organization your involvement will be critical to our success.

This webinar is by invitation only and you have been invited to participate because of the critical role you play in executing our strategy in 2018.
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AIA Contract Documents: ACD5 Basics

Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 3:00 p.m. (ET) / 2:00 p.m. (CT) / 1:00 p.m. (MT) / 12:00 p.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Hasti Hejazi, Director, Global Innovation Education, The American Institute of Architects

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Don't miss this opportunity to attend an interactive session exclusively for ABC members on the latest version of AIA Contract Documents and products! Whether you are a new customer or have recently transitioned to the new online service (ACD5) from the desktop software, learn how to get the most from the online service and its new features. These enhancements include improved search functions, a personal clause library, custom templates, easy contract collaboration, and administrative capabilities for multiple-user accounts. Attendees will follow-along as the trainer demonstrates how to use key features, answer your questions, and show you how to access resources and support. 
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Section 179: Putting the U.S. Tax Code to Work for your Advantage

Date: Thursday, November 16, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Matthew Flynn, Tax Specialist, Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA)
  Scot Ciarkowski, Tax Specialst, Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA)   

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
Section 179 of the U.S. tax code presents a welcome opportunity for small-business owners like you to save money and tax time. An economic incentive designed to encourage the purchase of business-related equipment and spur growth in the economy, Section 179 lets taxpayers deduct the full or partial cost of certain types of property from their federal taxes for the year the property was purchased and put into service. Join Matthew Flynn and Scot Ciarkowski, tax specialists with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, to learn about Section 179, including depreciation and limitations and how you may be able to take advantage of this tax deduction for your business. 


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New Revenue Recognition Rules

Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Tim Wilson, National Industry Partner, BKD, LLP
Presented by BKD, LLP 



WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Revenue recognition will change with the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The ASU eliminates most of the existing industry-specific guidance and significantly expands revenue recognition disclosures. More than 600 pieces of current revenue recognition guidance are replaced with an overriding principle and a five-step model. The standard requires entities to make more estimates and use more judgment than under current guidance. Join us for "New Revenue Recognition Rules," a timely webinar with BKD's Tim Wilson, National Industry Partner. 

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Delivering Value Through a Robust Customer Experience

Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Steve Coughran, Founder and Director of Strategy, Coltivar Group
Presented by Procore

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Listen in to this unique webinar where data and construction expert, Steve Coughran, Founder and Director of Strategy at the Coltivar Group will discuss the future of the customer experience and how you can implement analytics to attract and retain customers. 

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The Importance of Branding: Best Practices

Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Dit Vannouvong, Ram Commercial Advertising Manager, FCA

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Few companies devote more resources to branding, advertising and marketing efforts than automakers like FCA US LLC. After all, it takes name recognition to compete on a global scale, especially in the auto industry. The branding philosophies that underlie iconic names like Jeep®, Dodge and Chrysler are not reserved only for Fortune 500 companies, however. Even small, independent and local businesses can benefit from consistency in branding and messaging. 

Join Dit Vannouvong, Ram Commercial Advertising Manager, in this webinar as he shares branding best practices along with universal marketing lessons he has learned building both small and large brands. 
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Retirement Plans in Construction

Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Nathaniel Peniston, Vice President, The Contractors Plan
Presented by ABC's Strategic Partner, The Contractors Plan 



WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
The recruitment and retention of skilled employees has never been more critical to a contractor’s success, and this timely discussion will provide you with three key tips for attracting and retaining the best employees. While construction workers have historically been less likely to participate in – or be eligible for – employer based retirement plans, we are going to discuss the reason for the recent acceleration of offering plans and why participation is growing. Whether you are a smaller contractor considering a new program or looking for ways to benchmark the effectiveness of your current retirement plan, this discussion will enhance the effectiveness of your efforts. We will review a detailed snapshot of current retirement plan dynamics and benchmarking data, opportunities to save money and increase contributions on prevailing wage contracts, and arrangements that leading contractors are making to improve the administrative ease, employee engagement and return on investment. 
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The Speed of Innovation and Mastering the Art of Change

Date: Thursday, September 14, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Dave Anderskow, President and Senior Business Advisor, Palmer Consulting Group
   Brad Elson, Senior Business Consultant, Palmer Consulting Group  
Presented by Procore

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Join change superheroes Dave Anderskow, President and Sr. Business Advisor, Palmer Consulting with 22 years of industry experience, and Brad Elson, Sr. Business Advisor with 12+ years of improving culture and business processes, as they walk you through how to: 
- Innovate without fear
- Implement technology for success
- Improve company culture to accept change
- Understand Organizational Change Management (OCM) and why it's crucial to business success

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What's Happening with Drones in Construction

Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Alexander Kube, COO, Botlink 
Presented by ABC's National Event Sponsor, Procore
 

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Drones are quietly revolutionizing the way that construction companies do business. Whether you are a foreman, executive, or safety inspector, drones can give you the perspective you need to optimize your workflow and save money. Join us as we discuss how drones can change the way you view your jobsite both indoors and outdoors. We will be discussing the impact of emerging topics in the drone space such as computer vision and machine learning, virtual reality, and data-driven workflows, and how these and other technologies are helping businesses explore exciting new opportunities with drones. 

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Internal Fraud & Embezzlement: Strategies to Mitigate Risk

Date: Wednesday, August 2, 2017 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Bryan Callahan, CPA, CFF, CFE, CVA, Director, BKD, LLP
Presented by BKD



WEBINAR DESCRIPTION:
Through a fast-paced analysis of real-life examples, this session focuses not only on how the frauds are occurring, but also how your company can leverage technology to mitigate the risk. 

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