By Rebekah Morris for Arizona Builder’s Exchange

Next month, hundreds of project opportunities will be on display from fifteen different public owners at the first-ever Public Works Conference, hosted by AZBEX. The afternoon conference will be held 12-4 p.m., Oct. 5. at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale.

About half of the program is devoted to vertical projects: K-12, healthcare, higher education, etc. and the other half will address horizontal work: utilities, roadways, etc.

The fifteen public owners represent billions of dollars in project opportunities as identified in current 5-year Capital Improvement Plans. They will be talking about major upcoming projects, what qualities are important to them in selecting consultants and contractors, and the environment in their respective agency with regard to funding, political climate, and more.

Who should attend?

Firms involved in designing and building projects for Public Owners: from K-12 to healthcare, higher education, police and fire stations, roads and highways, utility work, and more. Attendees will hear, direct from the Owners, what projects are coming up and how to get a piece of the action.

Why attend?

Save time driving all around the state meeting with Public Owners. In one afternoon, we’ll have 15 in the same place, answering questions to help attendees learn how to best position themselves to be successful on future procurements. In addition to the stellar program, attendees benefit from the outstanding networking with industry professionals who are pursuing the same type of work.

If all else fails, come for the joint mixer

Once the program has wrapped up, there will be a joint mixer, presented by AGC, APWA, AZBEX, and AzTA. Registration to the joint mixer includes two drink tickets and appetizers. Mix and mingle with hundreds of other attendees from the associations and conference alike.

 

PROGRAM

11am – Networking & Buffet Lunch

12pm – Opening Remarks – Representative Steve Farley, Assistant Minority Leader, District 9 – Tucson

12:10 – Public Funding for Capital Projects – Higher Education, K-12 & City of Mesa:

Panelist A: Bill Jabjiniak, City of Mesa, Economic Development Director

Panelist B: Dr. Morgan Olsen, ASU, Executive Vice President/CFO (Invited)

Panelist C: K-12 Bond Expert, TBD

Moderator: Mark Davenport, Partner, SPS + Architects, LLP

12:55 – Opportunities in Publicly Funded Healthcare – Susan Doria, MIHS, Vice President, Strategic Planning

1:15 – Opportunities with Maricopa County Facilities Management Department – Arno Leskinen, Maricopa County, Division Manager, Capital Facilities Division, Facilities Management Department

1:45 – Upcoming Opportunities at Sky Harbor

2:05 – Break

2:25 – Opportunities in Water Infrastructure

2:45 – Upcoming Opportunities in the City of Tucson – Victoria Cortinas, City of Tucson, Contract Administrator

3:10 – Upcoming Opportunities in Pima County – Matt Sage, Pima County, Contracts Officer 

3:30 – How Public Owners Determine what Projects use APDM Contracts when Federal Funds are Involved:

Panelist A: Karla Petty, FHWA, Division Administrator

Panelist B: Wulf Grote, Valley Metro, Director of Planning and Development 

Panelist C: Dallas Hammit, ADOT, State Engineer, Deputy Director for Transportation
Panelist D: Ray Dovalina, City of Phoenix, Street Transportation Director
Moderator:  Wylie Bearup, ASU, Professor of Practice/Executive Director

3:50 – Closing Remarks – David Martin, AGC of Arizona, President

4:00 – AZBEX, AGC, APWA, AzTA Joint Mixer