On October 17, 2024, a significant event took place as over 150 construction industry professionals came together with Clemson University faculty and students at the Greenville Marriott. This was the Ninth Annual Construction Symposium, meticulously organized by the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development and sponsored by Carolina Power. The event offered numerous advantages to both professionals and students alike.

Advantages for Professionals and Students

It serves as a crucial platform where corporate partners can communicate their expectations from graduating students. This enables a seamless networking environment and keeps industry and academia updated simultaneously. As Radhika Soni, a graduate student pursuing her Master of Construction Science and Management degree, pointed out, "It lets us know what the corporate partners are expecting from graduating students, so it’s a really great way to network and to keep up to date with industry and academia altogether."

Program Highlights: Risk Management Focus

The program was centered around the theme of risk management. Paul Hogan, President of Hogan Construction Group and a member of the Department’s Corporate Partners Program, took the lead in organizing the day's presentations. He emphasized the importance of understanding the risks involved in the construction business, how to mitigate them, and how to be successful with them to ensure profitability and business continuity. "It’s important for people to understand if they’re into this business the risk that they take on; how they mitigate that risk and how to be successful with that risk so that they can make a profit and continue their business," Hogan explained. The feedback received was highly positive, as evident from the numerous questions asked by the participants during each panel discussion.

Keynote Address by Ken Stockdell

Ken Stockdell, Director of Project and Program Management at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, delivered an inspiring keynote address. With a 40-year career dedicated to the planning, design, and construction of convention centers around the world, his insights were highly valuable. "I can’t say enough to thank Ken and all of our panelists for making the Symposium informative and engaging," said Associate Department Chair Dhaval Gajjar. "Their participation, along with the support of our sponsors, continues to make the symposium the highlight of the year for our department."

Panel Discussions: Multiple Perspectives

After Stockdell's keynote address, the day featured three engaging panel discussions. The first, "Construction Business Risk," brought together panelists Bruce Collins of Rosemont Holdings, Mike Burnett of Holder Construction, and Joe Alcock of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. They shared their insights and experiences on various aspects of construction business risk. The second panel, "Project Execution Risk," featured Bradley Robinson of SteelFab Inc., Larry Holmes of Greybar Electrical, and Shanna Patton of Kudzu Staffing, discussing the challenges and strategies related to project execution risk. The final panel, "Construction Risk Management: Legal Implications," saw a discussion between Jennifer Westmoreland and West Williams of American Global and Benjamin Rachelson of the law firm of Adams and Reese, delving into the legal aspects of construction risk management.Soni noted that one of the key takeaways from the day's presentations was that risk is shared by all partners in a construction project. "It’s safe to say risk management can be treated as a different topic altogether," she said. Gajjar also emphasized the value of these discussions for students. "It’s so valuable for our students to be able to listen in on discussions that represent all sides of the construction industry. Letting them hear deep conversations from industry professionals adds a dimension to their educational experience that they can’t get through classroom instruction alone."In addition to Carolina Power as the exclusive event sponsor, the Ninth Annual Construction Symposium was supported by VIP level sponsorships from Great Southern Homes, Hogan Construction, Frampton Construction, Alliant, Eldeco, Adams and Reese LLP, and Clary Hood Inc. Additional sponsors included Lithko Contracting LLC, the Roofing Alliance, Carroll Daniel Construction, Sea Island Land Development, Harper General Contractors, Thompson Turner Construction, SC Steel, Robins & Morton, ARCO Design/Build, Holder Construction, JM Cope Construction and America’s Home Place.