Year Ahead: What to Expect from SWCA in 2018
As we move into our eighth decade of being champions for the construction industry, we ask ourselves: How do we stay relevant to our members’ needs? 
1. We stay in focus with our vision to be champions of the construction industry by providing critical programs that help our members win more business, become more profitable, and develop stronger local construction companies.
Examples:
• One of the top-rated retrospective rating programs in Washington state. Includes an enhanced safety training component that is open to ALL contractor members.
• A cutting-edge plan center with robust content that allows our members to bid and win more jobs. Includes a private plan center option that allows contractors to improve communication and efficiency, saving the company valuable time and money.
• Provide professional education to our members covering a wide-array of topics such as: Legal issues, government contracting, and business development.
• A flexible, cost-effective 401(k) program that creates wealth for retirement for both company owners and employees.
• Connect members with expertise to public agencies when these agencies need input from our industry
2. We provide great venues and events for our members to network with fellow contractors and supportive companies. Our staple events include the Golf Tournament, Holiday Party & Auction, Trap Shoot, and Fishing Derby. As with any industry, to stay relevant we must adapt and innovate new ways to provide value. Therefore, we are rolling out two initiatives in 2018:
• Construction Executive Summit in February. The Summit will provide a venue for the top executives in the construction industry to look at future growth and discuss the opportunities and challenges that this growth presents to us. The goal is to have each executive walk away with new ways to improve efficiencies within their business.
• Contractor Connection is designed to allow professional service providers such as engineering firms, architects, and land-use planners to host SWCA members on-site and update contractors on projects they have coming down the pipeline.
3. We strive to “Build Construction’s Future.” The SWCA Foundation provides scholarships to local students pursuing construction-related careers. The Foundation also provides grants to local community organizations and participates in community service projects like Dozer Day, organized by the Nutter Foundation.
We are excited to announce a new venture in building construction’s future: Contractor Start-ups: Tools for Success. This event will educate attendees on what is needed to begin a construction company to ensure its growth and success.
4. We recognize the importance of the construction industry to the vitality of our community and we share pertinent economic information with public agencies and developers. We know that a construction job through a local contractor is the most effective economic development tool available in Clark County. Construction is the second largest industry in the state of Washington, and the fourth largest in Clark County. Every $1.00 invested in a project that generates a local job results in an additional $1.97 into our economy. We are constantly seeking ways to move the industry forward.
2018 will be another active year for our contractors with many projects underway and many more in the pipeline. We’d love for it to be the year that you take advantage of the benefits listed above and join us in building construction’s future.
