Conference Overview

AGC of America will return to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida, for its 2012 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management. The association will launch the conference with a reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 30, and the association will conclude the conference with a reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1.

Between these social events, AGC will provide a steady stream of opportunities for the interaction that has become the hallmark of this annual event, including plenary sessions, breakout sessions, instructional seminars and other gatherings. Again in 2012, AGC hopes to challenge the thought leaders in the construction, surety and insurance industries to take a critical look at their policies, practices and procedures, and to identify their opportunities for further improvement.

Pre-Meetings

On Monday, January 30, AGC will also host a full day of pre-meetings exclusively for the in-house lawyers, in-house risk managers and other senior executives of the general and specialty contractors in the AGC family. As always, the agenda for these meetings will spotlight the challenges that these professionals have the greatest interest in discussing with each other.

On that Monday, the Contract Bonds Advisory Committee of the Surety and Fidelity Association and the Executive Committee of AGC’s Service and Supply Council will also meet.

Who Should Attend

This annual conference is intended for the in-house lawyers, in-house risk managers and other senior executives of the general and specialty contractors in the AGC family and their many counterparts in the surety and insurance industries. The conference will benefit anyone interested in controlling the cost of managing the risks inherent in a changing construction industry. Surety bonds, insurance policies, construction contracts and construction operations are all among the subjects open for discussion.

Host

Again in 2012, the AGC Forum on Surety Bonding and Risk Management will be the host. The Chair of this outstanding forum is David Hanson, Senior Vice President, Walbridge, and the Vice-Chair is David O’Haren, Executive Vice President, Holder Construction Group.

Schedule

Conference Schedule of Events

Pre-Meeting Schedule of Events

Conference Agenda

While the agenda for AGC’s 2012 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management remains a work in progress, a number of decisions have already been made.

Among the items already on the agenda for the plenary sessions are the following:

• Coming Together: How Lean Construction Principles, BIM, and IPD are All Converging on the Design, Planning and Construction of Today’s Projects – Enabling Risk Managers to Contemplate New and Different Ways to Approach their Work
• Changing Minds and Saving Lives: What It Means and What It Takes to Weave Your Employees into a Safety Net that Betrays a Genuine Commitment to Eliminating Unsafe Behaviors
• Shades of Green: How to Manage Owners’ Expectations of Their “Green” Construction Projects
• Changing the Game: More on the Model Green Building Codes and the Energy Performance Standards They Threaten to Turn into Legal Requirements
• Putting the Federal House in Order: Whether and to What Extent Congress’ Latest Debt Reduction Plan is Likely to Succeed
• Ripple Effects: The Economic Outlook for the Construction Industry – and Both Where and How the Debt Reduction Plan is Likely to Become a Factor
• Can’t Say No: How Contractors are Adjusting to the Reality That Many of Their New Contracts Are Putting Them at Greater Risk

And among the items already on the agenda for the breakout sessions are these:

• Mixed Blessings: Where and How Changes in Project Delivery Are Increasing Contractors’ Exposure for Professional Liability, and How Contractors Can and Should Respond
• It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over: The Extended Warranties Often Buried in Today’s Contract Documents and How to Limit, Transfer or Otherwise Manage the Risks They Create
• When the Work Doesn’t Work: The Latest Cases on Insurance Coverage for Construction Defects, the New State Statutes that Seem to Require Such Coverage and “Best Practices” for Presenting Defect Claims to Insurance Carriers
• Holding the Bag: The Latest Limitations on Indemnification and Additional Insured Endorsements, and Practical Strategies for Dealing with the Current Environment, Including the Pros and Cons of GL Wraps

If you have any agenda items that you would like to suggest, please just send an email to Michael Kennedy at AGC of America at kennedym@agc.org!

Registration

Registration is now closed.

AGC’s 2012 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management is open to all members of the Associated General Contractors of America, the Surety Fidelity Association of America and the National Association of Surety Bond Producers, and to their invited guests.

If you are among the in-house lawyers, in-house risk managers and other senior executives of the general and specialty contractors in the AGC family, you are also welcome to register for and attend one of two pre-meetings exclusively for such in-house professionals. In fact, you are welcome to attend either of these pre-meetings even if you cannot make the conference itself!

What's Included

In addition to plenary sessions, breakout sessions and instructional seminars, the $395.00 registration fee for the conference includes three cocktail receptions and a hot breakfast and box lunch on each day of plenary and other business sessions.

In addition to the business sessions scheduled for the day that precedes the conference, the $100.00 registration fee for either of the pre-meetings exclusively for in-house professionals includes a cocktail reception on Sunday, June 29, and both breakfast and lunch on the day of the business sessions.

There is no registration fee for any of the other pre-meetings, but no social or other events are included.

Cancellation Policy

AGC will fully refund your registration fee(s) if you provide an email or other written notice of cancellation to Crystal Yates at AGC of America (yatesc@agc.org) by Friday, January 13, 2012. After January 13, 2012, registration fees are non-refundable, either in whole or in part, for any reason.

Hotel Accommodations

AGC of America will hold its 2012 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management in the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. This Mediterranean-style sanctuary features the Tiburon Golf Club with two Greg Norman courses, five exceptional dining establishments and a picturesque pool area with poolside service.

As an AGC guest of the golf resort, you will also be welcome to enjoy the facilities and amenities of the neighboring Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort, located just three miles west of the golf resort on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. A complimentary shuttle runs between the two properties, and as an AGC guest of the golf resort, you will also have complimentary day parking at the beach resort.

The AGC room rate is $299.00 per night, plus tax (currently 10%). This rate includes complimentary guest room access to the Internet. The resort fee has been waived.

To reserve a room at the AGC rate, simply call the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort at (236) 593-2000 and request a reservation in the “AGC Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management” room block. You can also reserve a room online via www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/NaplesGolf For the AGC rate, simply click on the button for a “Group Code” and then enter “HSLHSLA” in the “Group Code” box.

The deadline for reserving a room at the AGC rate is Wednesday, December 28, 2011. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR TO MAKE YOUR ARRANGMENTS!

Should you make and then need to cancel a reservation, please also note that you will need to do so at least 48 hours prior to your date of arrival in order to avoid a cancellation penalty equal to one night’s room rate, plus tax.

Contact Information

Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
2600 Tiburon Drive
Naples, FL 34109
Phone: (239) 593-2000
Fax: (239) 254-3300
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/NaplesGolf

Travel Information

AGC has partnered with the following airlines and car rental agencies to provide transportation to AGC's 2012 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management. All airfares are based on availability. For the best discounts, use the AGC group code and book early!

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, is located approximately:

• 25 miles and 35 minutes from the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
• 125 miles and 2 hours from the Miami International Airport (MIA); and
• 110 miles and 2 hours from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Airline Discounts

AGC travelers are eligible for the following discounts on their airfare:

• AirTran Airlines: AGC travelers are eligible for a 10% discount off published fares from any city to Miami International Airport (MIA), Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) if they book their flights directly with the AirTran Airways Event Savers Desk by calling 866-683-8368 between 8:00 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, and providing the promotional code (SFL013012) and name of event. (Valid for travel between January 27 and February 5, 2012).
• Continental Airlines: AGC travelers are eligible for a 2-10% discount off published fares from any city to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) by booking online at www.continental.com and entering the promotional code (ZKW2413507) in the offer code box. (Valid for travel between January 27 and February 5, 2012).
• Delta Airlines: AGC travelers are eligible for a 2-10% discount off published fares from any city to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA), Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and West Palm Beach Airport (PBI) by calling 800-328-1111 and referring to Ticket Designator/File Number NM8LF. (Valid for travel between January 27 and February 5, 2012).
• American Airlines: AGC travelers are eligible for a discount of up to 5% off published fares from any city to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) or Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) if they book online at www.aa.com/group and provide the promotion code (9312BU) for the event. (Valid for travel between January 26 and February 6, 2012.)

Car Rental Discounts

AGC travelers are also eligible for the following discounts on their car rental rates:

• Avis: AGC travelers are eligible for a variable discount on car rental rates if they book online at www.avis.com and provide AWD Number D757057.
• Hertz: AGC travelers are eligible for a variable discount on car rental rates if they book online at www.hertz.com and provide CDP Number 55977 and CV Number 04SF0001.

Event Sponsors

Below you will find the generous sponsors of the social and other events included in AGC’s 2012 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management. All are good friends of the AGC family, doing their part to support the construction industry. Use following links to their web sites to learn more about their products and services – and to thank them for their generous support!

Textura

Textura is an online collaboration platform for the construction industry. From pre-qualification to payment, Textura seeks to leverage electronic signatures and online workflow to help clients save time, save money and reduce risk. The company is committed to automating the subcontractor pre-qualification process.

• Type: Lunch Sponsor
• Website: www.texturacorp.com

USLAW NETWORK

USLAW NETWORK is an international organization of over 100 highly rated law firms covering the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Africa. The U.S. based firms invited into the network have all undergone a rigorous review process. They have over 150 offices in 47 states.

• Type: Breakfast Sponsor
• Website: www.uslaw.org

Saxe Doernberger & Vita

Saxe Doernberger & Vita is a law firm exclusively focused on representing policyholders in disputes with their insurance companies. The firm has represented both large and small companies, partnerships, officers, directors and individuals in a diverse mix of insurance coverage litigation and counseling matters.

• Type: Reception Sponsor
• Website: www.sdvlaw.com

Peckar & Abramson

Peckar & Abramson is a national construction law firm routinely handling clients’ needs throughout the United States and the world. The firm has represented many of the construction industry’s most successful contractors. It also has an extensive government contract law and corporate compliance practice.

• Type: Reception Sponsor
• Website: www.pecklaw.com

CertFocus

CertFocus provides a SaaS-based solution to subcontractor compliance, including but not limited to Certificates of Insurance. The firm was developed by insurance industry veterans, and today, it automates the entire sub-contractor compliance process.

• Type: Reception Sponsor
• Website: http://www.certfocusinfo.com

Cokinos, Bosien & Young

Cokinos, Bosien & Young is a legal advisor to owners, contractors, design professionals, material and equipment suppliers, sureties, insurance companies and lenders on all aspects of construction law. Its lawyers are more than familiar with the peculiar dynamics of insurance coverage disputes.

• Type: Reception Sponsor
• Website: www.cbylaw.com

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is a law firm with offices in Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Its clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses to start-up enterprises, and its attorneys regularly represent contractors, subcontractors, owners, sureties, and design professionals in all aspects of construction and bond disputes, including insurance and bond coverage issues.

• Type: Break Sponsor
• Website: www.wtplaw.com

Program Sponsors

The thought leaders of the surety and insurance industries have long contributed their energy and their insights to AGC’s annual Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management. In 2012, seventeen of these firms are going even further. To help maintain the high quality of this annual gathering, they have also agreed to sponsor a conference program that will include the schedule of events and agenda for the conference, and an abstract of each of the major presentations.

Below you will find the logos for all of these strong supporters of AGC’s Surety Bonding and Risk Management Forum. Please take note of these firms, and the next time you are in the market for either bonding or insurance, please be sure to keep them in mind!

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors