Spring has sprung and no doubt your company is headed out the door in a frenetic pace. Most of the U.S. residential market is ramping up for a solid 2016 forecast as we have heard from so many of you. While PCA has tempered their projections from the Spring of 2015, all indicators are for a good and solid year for the residential construction industry. In fact, with so much at stake later this year for elections, many presume that there will be a strategic effort to increase the pace over the summer to fall.

Right in the midst of that is CFA Convention. Each year we answer the question by those that weren’t able to attend the previous year (but so much desired to), “why is it that CFA’s convention is held during the busiest time of the year for the foundation contractor?” After fifteen years on board with the CFA, I believe I have finally come to know the market well enough and the businesses each of you manage intimately enough to be able to see it. It isn’t easy, that’s for certain but there are several major variables that permit and even direct Convention to have its own place in the middle of the year.

Convention is a family-friendly environment – The values of business in this industry start with the family. It is important to maintain that feel and to celebrate it while the kids are able to take advantage of a great destination. Today’s kids become tomorrow’s management. They get a chance to grow up in the environment.

Convention is a strategic break – In the midst of a busy construction season, by the time July rolls around the schedule should be in good shape and company processes controlling the daily schedule. It is also at this point when the pressures are mounting and a break is needed to be best prepared to lead. Taking two to three days away can be the right refresher to renew passion, commitment and fine tune leadership through interacting with your peers and realizing you are not at this alone.

Convention builds identity – The rest of the concrete industry is defined by off- season and late-season opportunities for learning. These are times when the cash is the hardest to come by or the pressure is the greatest trying to fit things in. Here in the middle of summer there are no other major concrete industries representing themselves or gathering. This gives way to CFA Convention being the right location to bring together all industry interests, contractor and technology alike to make true the identity of the ‘Largest Gathering of the Poured Wall Contractor.’

Conflicts come and they go. Some of them are unavoidable and some of them are value-driven. What you can’t mistake is the value of being in a space and time with others that have your responsibilities, your mindset and also that of your next generation of leadership.