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Continuing Education

Continuing Education | mgmt training | Associated Builders & Contractors
Develop Your Skills as a Leader

ABC offers several of our educational opportunities as on demand trainings available for your team. You can access ABC’s professional trainers to deliver education to your team on your schedule. For additional information on availability, customization options, and scheduling, please contact info@abcksmo.org.

LEAD ABC

An immersive executive leadership program that will take current and future executives to the next level as they build their career in the construction industry.

Successful applicants are committed to personal and professional development as well as the merit shop philosophy and contributing to the industry at large. Learn from industry experts and leadership professionals while building connections with colleagues across the industry in this eight-month intensive educational experience.

$1,950 for full program (Members only) *must be paid in full prior to the start of the program

Foreman Leadership Training

Learn the basic concepts regarding productivity, time management, effective communication & negotiations all with the aim of driving world-class leadership.

Presented by our esteemed training partner, FMI, this carefully curated one-day training session is tailored for your superintendents, foremen, and field leadership team, providing them with the opportunity to invest in their professional development.

This jam-packed training session is designed to enhance leadership and operations skills, empowering your team to excel in their roles. With an emphasis on key areas such as building trust, effective feedback, essential leadership skills, and the power of exceptional project leadership, this training is comprehensive and practical.

Led by FMI’s experienced trainers, this training session is guaranteed to deliver a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Participants will walk away with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and practical tools that can be immediately applied on the job.

Invest in your team’s success with this cutting-edge training session. This empowering day of learning will unlock the full potential of your superintendents, foremen, and field leadership team. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your team’s leadership and operational capabilities. Contact us today to get your team scheduled!

$650 Member

$800 Non-Member

Leadership and Management

Examination of the traits of great leaders and great managers
Define the elements of POC (Management) and SAM (Leadership)
Action plan – the steps needed for channeling one’s own leadership identity
Understand the value of communication and negotiation
Enhance negotiating skills through better listening and better questioning

Communication & Negotiations

Understand the elements of communication
Understand the role of body language in everyday conversation
Enhance negotiating skills through better listening and better questioning
Identify – “Apollo 13” – An illustration of empowering communication

ENROLL TODAY by emailing Aubrey Cotrell at aubry@abcksmo.org

Project Management Institute

Learn management techniques, leadership strategies, and the organizational skills needed to become a successful Project Manager.

The Associated Builders and Contractors Project Management Institute is a premier education and professional development opportunity for future project management leadership in the construction industry. Developed by experienced ABC members and Kirk Alter, this course is designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s contractors. Participants will get an inclusive look at successfully handling all aspects of project management. This 80-hour interactive course uses real examples and case studies. The goal of the session is for students to improve their firm’s profitability and productivity, as well as increase quality and customer satisfaction.

Cost of $4,600 per attendee includes meals, course materials, a welcome dinner and closing banquet.

7 Habits for Managers

Based on the renowned, worldwide bestseller, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, this two-day solution empowers frontline managers to effectively manage and engage their teams to achieve sustainable results.

Experience the unparalleled uniqueness of our program, where the powerful lens of the 7 Habits framework is applied to cultivate new mindsets, skills, and tools for becoming an exceptional team leader who consistently delivers outstanding results.

The 7 Habits for Managers is not just another leadership training; it’s an intensive, application-oriented learning experience that hones in on the fundamentals of great leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned leader, a newly appointed manager, or an emerging leader, this solution is tailor-made to equip you with the capabilities to effectively tackle the pressing leadership challenges of today.

Led by expert facilitators, this program goes beyond theoretical concepts and offers practical strategies that can be immediately implemented in the real world. Through engaging discussions, case studies, role-plays, and interactive exercises, you’ll develop the critical leadership competencies needed to inspire and guide your team towards success.

Invest in your leadership excellence with our transformative program, and unlock the full potential of your leadership capabilities. Participate in this unparalleled learning experience and elevate your leadership skills to new heights. Contact us to enroll now!

$575 Member

$800 Non-Member

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Based on the renowned, worldwide bestseller, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, this interactive work session is designed to help you master the principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change create.

Elevate your leadership game with our dynamic event – a leadership refresh designed to help you tackle the challenges of our ever-changing world. As great leaders, it’s crucial to constantly sharpen your tools and stay ahead of the curve.

Drawing inspiration from Stephen R. Covey’s renowned book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®,” our interactive work session goes beyond trends and pop psychology to focus on timeless principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. These proven principles provide the foundation for navigating change with confidence and seizing opportunities that arise from it.

Led by experienced facilitators, this engaging work session will empower you with practical strategies and actionable insights to enhance your leadership skills. Through interactive discussions, real-world scenarios, and collaborative exercises, you’ll gain the wisdom and power to thrive in today’s fast-paced, dynamic business environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your leadership development and equip yourself with the tools to excel in the face of change. Participate in this transformative event and unlock your full leadership potential. Contact us to sign up now!

$630 Member

$880 Non-Member

ABC Construction Summit

February 24th, 2024 08:00am
Join us at the 2024 ABC Construction Summit!
Learn how you can improve your company from knowledgeable guest speakers.

Join multiple sessions discussing everything you need to know to excel in your role in the construction industry – ranging from Finance & HR topics to Marketing & Technology and much more!

This conference is designed for construction industry professionals working in any management, executives, safety, finance, HR/payroll, or marketing role.

Continuing Education | 7ba49027 44f0 48ea a669 b3c1f2ce0f71 | Associated Builders & Contractors

$220 Member Ticket

$325 Non-Member Ticket

$1,100 Table/Booth Sponsor

$1,650 Happy Hour Sponsor

$3,300 Presenting Sponsor

Construction 101

Are you new to the construction industry? Are you looking to learn more about the lingo and processes behind the businesses that build America? Then this session is meant for you.

Upon completion of this course, participants will leave with a base knowledge of how a construction project is carried out from start to completion. Participants will gain a basic understanding of several key concepts including:

  • the key players on a project
  • the bidding process
  • types of delivery methods
  • contracts
  • pay apps
  • change orders
  • construction scopes
  • industry trends

$125 Member 

$200 Non-Member 

Bluebeam Courses

Instructor BIO
Troy DeGroot, Bluebeam Certified Instructor, UChapter2 | Owner
As a Bluebeam Certified Consultant, Bluebeam Certified Instructor, and Implementation Specialist, Troy travels the country training over 2,000 students annually with customized tools and workflows. It is these extensive and diverse training opportunities that have led to Troy being a requested annual presenter at AIA meetings, Bluebeam Academy and Bluebeam’s very own eXtreme Conference (XCON).

With over 20 years in the industry, Troy has cultivated a deep understanding of the requirements of customers, the needs of end users, common goals of management, and the capacities of the technology. He has led many companies through successful software implementations and training. Having served as the BIM Manager for a large multi-discipline engineering firm, he provides a broad understanding of the industry and the evolution of technology.

BASELINE BASICS- 2 hours
Whether you’re opening Bluebeam Revu for the first time, or you’ve used it for years, this class will ensure a higher baseline knowledge. Attendees will learn interface navigation including menu dropdowns, toolbars, various tool panels, keyboard shortcuts and a few recommended settings. While learning various markup and measurement tools, several tips & tricks will be shared to increase speed and accuracy.

Learning Objectives:
Interface Navigation
Calibration & Measurements
Introduction to the Markups List

 

MATERIAL TAKEOFFS & ESTIMATES – BASICS-2 hours
*Mandatory Pre-requisite – Baseline Basics
With Revu’s intuitive measurement tools and customizable interface, we can turn your highlighters into a data rich takeoff tools. We’ll start out going through the standard measurement tools and settings, then move into various customization options and discuss the results in the Markups List.

Learning Objectives:
Introduction to Viewports
Measurement Tips & Tricks
Custom Estimating Tools

 

MATERIAL TAKEOFFS & ESTIMATES – ADVANCED- 2 hours
*Mandatory Pre-requisite – Baseline Basics & Material Takeoffs & Estimates Basics
After finishing the Bluebeam Takeoffs & Estimates – Basics course we’ll move into creating custom columns, embedding formulas, and information organization. Did you know you can export to an Excel spreadsheet, or even link directly to that Excel template file full of formulas you’ve been using for years?

Learning Objectives:
Custom Estimating Tools (Continued from “Material Takeoffs & Estimates-Basics”)
Collecting Rich Data with Custom Columns
Reports and Exporting Data

 

Bluebeam Revu for Administrative Professionals- 2 hours
Administrative teams have unique document workflows that demand a different set of tools compared to design and construction teams. A typical Bluebeam class concentrates on design markups, estimating and collecting field data, but this class is very different! In just two hours you’ll be ready to combine documents, mark for redaction, apply digital signatures and several other important administrative tasks.

Learning Objectives:
Extracting pages from existing documents
Use Redaction to quickly clean sensitive information from documents
Creating and applying digital signatures
Updating Page Labels
Applying headers and footers
Search document text and visual symbols
Apply stamps
Flag important content in documents

Industry Courses

Reading Construction Documents- 6 hours
This 2-part online program is for entry-level architectural or engineering designers, apprentices, entry-level tradespersons, project coordinators, assistant project managers, new project managers, estimators, specialty sales representatives, or anyone in career transition looking for a refresher.
Designed to quickly familiarize students with the basics of reading and understanding construction documents. From navigating title block information to combing through specification documents, participants will learn how to navigate a project and understand the material and construction requirements.

Learning Objectives:
Introduction to Construction Documents
Understanding Industry Document Standards
Drawing Navigation
The Importance of Specialty Plans

 

 

Construction Estimating Principles and Application- 4 hours
Great Estimators know that to be competitive and competent in the current market, their companies must continually be in search of an edge. “How can we approach this project differently than our competition?” This virtual interactive training workshop is scheduled in one half-day session.

Viewpoint 1 – The Estimating Principles Behind Every Bid:
This open forum discussion led by a panel of experienced construction estimators explores advanced elements of construction estimating. Experienced estimators will be challenged to evaluate their own systems within the framework of current trends and models with an emphasis on Bluebeam. Every topic will be discussed from various perspectives to allow Estimators from across the spectrum to benefit.

Learning Objectives:
Cost/Price analysis
Pricing project constraints
How to build flexibility into your system
Optimum time to complete
Escalation
Managing risk within the estimate
Danger zones to avoid

Viewpoint 2 – How Technology Can Produce Faster, More Accurate Estimates:
Oftentimes simply being more visual in your bid scope can put you ahead of the competition by showing you truly understand the project. We’ll spend some time demonstrating how technology can not only replace your highlighters, scales, and calculator, but create company standards for you and your team. With an emphasis on Bluebeam Revu, these digital tools and workflows will produce clear, visual markups that are accurate, predictable, and consistent no matter who on the team uses them.

Learning Objectives:
Working with PDF drawings
Calibrating drawings
Measurement tools
Custom measurement tools
Displaying and exporting data

LEAD ABC: Executive Leadership Program
LEAD ABC

An immersive executive leadership program that will take current and future executives to the next level as they build their career in the construction industry.

Successful applicants are committed to personal and professional development as well as the merit shop philosophy and contributing to the industry at large. Learn from industry experts and leadership professionals while building connections with colleagues across the industry in this eight-month intensive educational experience.

$1,950 for full program (Members only) *must be paid in full prior to the start of the program

Field Supervisor Leadership Training
Foreman Leadership Training

Learn the basic concepts regarding productivity, time management, effective communication & negotiations all with the aim of driving world-class leadership.

Presented by our esteemed training partner, FMI, this carefully curated one-day training session is tailored for your superintendents, foremen, and field leadership team, providing them with the opportunity to invest in their professional development.

This jam-packed training session is designed to enhance leadership and operations skills, empowering your team to excel in their roles. With an emphasis on key areas such as building trust, effective feedback, essential leadership skills, and the power of exceptional project leadership, this training is comprehensive and practical.

Led by FMI’s experienced trainers, this training session is guaranteed to deliver a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Participants will walk away with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and practical tools that can be immediately applied on the job.

Invest in your team’s success with this cutting-edge training session. This empowering day of learning will unlock the full potential of your superintendents, foremen, and field leadership team. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your team’s leadership and operational capabilities. Contact us today to get your team scheduled!

$650 Member

$800 Non-Member

Leadership and Management

Examination of the traits of great leaders and great managers
Define the elements of POC (Management) and SAM (Leadership)
Action plan – the steps needed for channeling one’s own leadership identity
Understand the value of communication and negotiation
Enhance negotiating skills through better listening and better questioning

Communication & Negotiations

Understand the elements of communication
Understand the role of body language in everyday conversation
Enhance negotiating skills through better listening and better questioning
Identify – “Apollo 13” – An illustration of empowering communication

ENROLL TODAY by emailing Aubrey Cotrell at aubry@abcksmo.org

Project Management Institute
Project Management Institute

Learn management techniques, leadership strategies, and the organizational skills needed to become a successful Project Manager.

The Associated Builders and Contractors Project Management Institute is a premier education and professional development opportunity for future project management leadership in the construction industry. Developed by experienced ABC members and Kirk Alter, this course is designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s contractors. Participants will get an inclusive look at successfully handling all aspects of project management. This 80-hour interactive course uses real examples and case studies. The goal of the session is for students to improve their firm’s profitability and productivity, as well as increase quality and customer satisfaction.

Cost of $4,600 per attendee includes meals, course materials, a welcome dinner and closing banquet.

7 Habits for Managers
7 Habits for Managers

Based on the renowned, worldwide bestseller, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, this two-day solution empowers frontline managers to effectively manage and engage their teams to achieve sustainable results.

Experience the unparalleled uniqueness of our program, where the powerful lens of the 7 Habits framework is applied to cultivate new mindsets, skills, and tools for becoming an exceptional team leader who consistently delivers outstanding results.

The 7 Habits for Managers is not just another leadership training; it’s an intensive, application-oriented learning experience that hones in on the fundamentals of great leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned leader, a newly appointed manager, or an emerging leader, this solution is tailor-made to equip you with the capabilities to effectively tackle the pressing leadership challenges of today.

Led by expert facilitators, this program goes beyond theoretical concepts and offers practical strategies that can be immediately implemented in the real world. Through engaging discussions, case studies, role-plays, and interactive exercises, you’ll develop the critical leadership competencies needed to inspire and guide your team towards success.

Invest in your leadership excellence with our transformative program, and unlock the full potential of your leadership capabilities. Participate in this unparalleled learning experience and elevate your leadership skills to new heights. Contact us to enroll now!

$575 Member

$800 Non-Member

7 Habits of Highly Effective People
7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Based on the renowned, worldwide bestseller, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, this interactive work session is designed to help you master the principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change create.

Elevate your leadership game with our dynamic event – a leadership refresh designed to help you tackle the challenges of our ever-changing world. As great leaders, it’s crucial to constantly sharpen your tools and stay ahead of the curve.

Drawing inspiration from Stephen R. Covey’s renowned book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®,” our interactive work session goes beyond trends and pop psychology to focus on timeless principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. These proven principles provide the foundation for navigating change with confidence and seizing opportunities that arise from it.

Led by experienced facilitators, this engaging work session will empower you with practical strategies and actionable insights to enhance your leadership skills. Through interactive discussions, real-world scenarios, and collaborative exercises, you’ll gain the wisdom and power to thrive in today’s fast-paced, dynamic business environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your leadership development and equip yourself with the tools to excel in the face of change. Participate in this transformative event and unlock your full leadership potential. Contact us to sign up now!

$630 Member

$880 Non-Member

ABC Construction Summit
ABC Construction Summit

February 24th, 2024 08:00am
Join us at the 2024 ABC Construction Summit!
Learn how you can improve your company from knowledgeable guest speakers.

Join multiple sessions discussing everything you need to know to excel in your role in the construction industry – ranging from Finance & HR topics to Marketing & Technology and much more!

This conference is designed for construction industry professionals working in any management, executives, safety, finance, HR/payroll, or marketing role.

Continuing Education | 7ba49027 44f0 48ea a669 b3c1f2ce0f71 | Associated Builders & Contractors

$220 Member Ticket

$325 Non-Member Ticket

$1,100 Table/Booth Sponsor

$1,650 Happy Hour Sponsor

$3,300 Presenting Sponsor

Construction 101
Construction 101

Are you new to the construction industry? Are you looking to learn more about the lingo and processes behind the businesses that build America? Then this session is meant for you.

Upon completion of this course, participants will leave with a base knowledge of how a construction project is carried out from start to completion. Participants will gain a basic understanding of several key concepts including:

  • the key players on a project
  • the bidding process
  • types of delivery methods
  • contracts
  • pay apps
  • change orders
  • construction scopes
  • industry trends

$125 Member 

$200 Non-Member 

Bluebeam Courses
Bluebeam Courses

Instructor BIO
Troy DeGroot, Bluebeam Certified Instructor, UChapter2 | Owner
As a Bluebeam Certified Consultant, Bluebeam Certified Instructor, and Implementation Specialist, Troy travels the country training over 2,000 students annually with customized tools and workflows. It is these extensive and diverse training opportunities that have led to Troy being a requested annual presenter at AIA meetings, Bluebeam Academy and Bluebeam’s very own eXtreme Conference (XCON).

With over 20 years in the industry, Troy has cultivated a deep understanding of the requirements of customers, the needs of end users, common goals of management, and the capacities of the technology. He has led many companies through successful software implementations and training. Having served as the BIM Manager for a large multi-discipline engineering firm, he provides a broad understanding of the industry and the evolution of technology.

BASELINE BASICS- 2 hours
Whether you’re opening Bluebeam Revu for the first time, or you’ve used it for years, this class will ensure a higher baseline knowledge. Attendees will learn interface navigation including menu dropdowns, toolbars, various tool panels, keyboard shortcuts and a few recommended settings. While learning various markup and measurement tools, several tips & tricks will be shared to increase speed and accuracy.

Learning Objectives:
Interface Navigation
Calibration & Measurements
Introduction to the Markups List

 

MATERIAL TAKEOFFS & ESTIMATES – BASICS-2 hours
*Mandatory Pre-requisite – Baseline Basics
With Revu’s intuitive measurement tools and customizable interface, we can turn your highlighters into a data rich takeoff tools. We’ll start out going through the standard measurement tools and settings, then move into various customization options and discuss the results in the Markups List.

Learning Objectives:
Introduction to Viewports
Measurement Tips & Tricks
Custom Estimating Tools

 

MATERIAL TAKEOFFS & ESTIMATES – ADVANCED- 2 hours
*Mandatory Pre-requisite – Baseline Basics & Material Takeoffs & Estimates Basics
After finishing the Bluebeam Takeoffs & Estimates – Basics course we’ll move into creating custom columns, embedding formulas, and information organization. Did you know you can export to an Excel spreadsheet, or even link directly to that Excel template file full of formulas you’ve been using for years?

Learning Objectives:
Custom Estimating Tools (Continued from “Material Takeoffs & Estimates-Basics”)
Collecting Rich Data with Custom Columns
Reports and Exporting Data

 

Bluebeam Revu for Administrative Professionals- 2 hours
Administrative teams have unique document workflows that demand a different set of tools compared to design and construction teams. A typical Bluebeam class concentrates on design markups, estimating and collecting field data, but this class is very different! In just two hours you’ll be ready to combine documents, mark for redaction, apply digital signatures and several other important administrative tasks.

Learning Objectives:
Extracting pages from existing documents
Use Redaction to quickly clean sensitive information from documents
Creating and applying digital signatures
Updating Page Labels
Applying headers and footers
Search document text and visual symbols
Apply stamps
Flag important content in documents

Industry Courses
Industry Courses

Reading Construction Documents- 6 hours
This 2-part online program is for entry-level architectural or engineering designers, apprentices, entry-level tradespersons, project coordinators, assistant project managers, new project managers, estimators, specialty sales representatives, or anyone in career transition looking for a refresher.
Designed to quickly familiarize students with the basics of reading and understanding construction documents. From navigating title block information to combing through specification documents, participants will learn how to navigate a project and understand the material and construction requirements.

Learning Objectives:
Introduction to Construction Documents
Understanding Industry Document Standards
Drawing Navigation
The Importance of Specialty Plans

 

 

Construction Estimating Principles and Application- 4 hours
Great Estimators know that to be competitive and competent in the current market, their companies must continually be in search of an edge. “How can we approach this project differently than our competition?” This virtual interactive training workshop is scheduled in one half-day session.

Viewpoint 1 – The Estimating Principles Behind Every Bid:
This open forum discussion led by a panel of experienced construction estimators explores advanced elements of construction estimating. Experienced estimators will be challenged to evaluate their own systems within the framework of current trends and models with an emphasis on Bluebeam. Every topic will be discussed from various perspectives to allow Estimators from across the spectrum to benefit.

Learning Objectives:
Cost/Price analysis
Pricing project constraints
How to build flexibility into your system
Optimum time to complete
Escalation
Managing risk within the estimate
Danger zones to avoid

Viewpoint 2 – How Technology Can Produce Faster, More Accurate Estimates:
Oftentimes simply being more visual in your bid scope can put you ahead of the competition by showing you truly understand the project. We’ll spend some time demonstrating how technology can not only replace your highlighters, scales, and calculator, but create company standards for you and your team. With an emphasis on Bluebeam Revu, these digital tools and workflows will produce clear, visual markups that are accurate, predictable, and consistent no matter who on the team uses them.

Learning Objectives:
Working with PDF drawings
Calibrating drawings
Measurement tools
Custom measurement tools
Displaying and exporting data

Annual Sponsors

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