The CFA will return to the Tamaya Resort at the Santa Ana Pueblo north of Albuquerque, New Mexico for the 2013 Summer meeting. We don’t often return to a prior venue but this is a very special place. Quiet, beautiful, and serene are just a few of the adjectives used by attendees following our stay in 2008. As you will recall, that was at the height of the recession and we wanted to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to return (or visit for the first time) before we cycle to the eastern part of the US for two or three years. In case you haven’t heard, the recession is over.

We have an excellent educational program planned. Our focus continues to be on how to run a better business rather than how to pour walls. We are also increasing networking opportunities – still cited by most CFA members as the primary benefit of our association.

Last year we added a “pre-convention” seminar the day before the primary event. The topic of the seminar was slabs. Several presenters, including Kim Basham, presented and it was very well received. Not everyone is involved with slabs so it was not part of the standard program and fees, but the information provided was excellent. This year, the pre-convention will be on concrete housing. We have three presenters lined up for this segment including Brent Anderson (remember him) as the core presenter. Brent will address the basics of concrete housing including structural performance and methods of construction. Brad Nesset will talk on energy performance and Mike Hancock will discuss mechanical, electrical and plumbing solutions.

The main event has some always-popular and respected presenters along with some of the newcomers to the presentation circuit as well as a new twist. Doug Staebler will address several aspects of risk management in the residential foundation sector; Doug Herbert will share more pointers and tips on marketing on a dime; Scott Carter will cover the latest on robotics; Joan Ausbury will discuss crane safety; and, Jim Wildman of Cost Reduction Technology will present on pre-employment and post-injury physical testing technology. Pre-employment testing was discussed in the last edition of Concrete Facts and in this one you will find content on the post-injury issue.

A new twist from frequent presenter David Whitlock will be a “mock trial” dealing with the subject of sexual harassment. This topic is a time-bomb waiting to go off in many construction companies and this presentation will present a theatrical “real-life” scenario that will be both entertaining and informative. It involves audience participation (the script will be pre-written).

There will also be round table discussions with small groups on most of the main topics as well as Crafting CAD, social media, the CFA insurance captive and a host of other topics.

The dates for this year’s meeting are earlier than the past several years. The housing seminars will be on Thursday, July 11 with the balance of the convention on Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13. Make your plans now and call for your room reservations early.

We actually have a room rate that is $15 lower than the last time we were at the resort. Watch for more information on the web site and in this publication.