Construction Writers Association Annual Meeting to Feature Congressman Ray LaHood and Historian Dan McNichol
March, 2007
Buffalo Grove, IL - The Construction Writers Association 2007 Annual Meeting, "CWA: 50 Years Covering the Construction Industry," is scheduled for May 2-4, 2007, at the Marriott at Metro Center, Washington, DC.
The Annual Meeting headline speaker will be Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL). Following LaHood's speech, an industry panel will delve further into issues of politics and their impact on the construction industry. Best-selling author and expert on the highway system Dan McNichol will be featured as the kick-off speaker for CWA's 50th anniversary year, which begins in 2007 and concludes in 2008. The CWA meeting will also include tours, a "Fundamentals of Construction Writing" education session, the Annual Meeting Awards Dinner, and election of officers and directors.
The CWA Board of Directors will meet Wednesday, May 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. At 6 pm, a welcoming reception will be hosted by the Portland Cement Association at its new Washington offices, located in the District's first LEED®-certified building, which is owned and occupied by the National Association of Realtors. A mini-tour of the building will be included.
"Fundamentals of Construction Writing" will be presented on Thursday morning, May 3. Educational segments include: A panel discussion titled "Getting the Story Started," which will focus on outlining, brainstorming, and other techniques to overcome writer's block; a presentation by Mike Manion of Vistage International called "Perfecting the 30-Second Pitch," an opportunity for attendees to create brief descriptions of their jobs, their organizations, or the stories they are pitching; and a panel discussion called "How to Be a Contract Writer," about developing a long-term relationship with a client, working out contracts and retainers, and so forth.
Thursday from 2 to 4 pm, CWA members will tour the House of Sweden, the recently-completed Swedish Embassy. The evening will be devoted to the CWA Annual Meeting Awards Dinner, featuring presentation of the CWA Journalism and Photography Awards. Our Friday morning session will begin with a brief business meeting and election of officers.
Friday morning's Annual Meeting Keynote Speaker will be Congressman Ray LaHood, (R-IL). He will be followed by a panel of construction industry association government relations representatives who will talk about the political outlook for construction. Concluding the annual meeting, but kicking-off CWA's 50th anniversary year, best-selling author and expert on the highway system Dan McNichol will talk about construction over the past 50 years.
The meeting will be held at the Marriott at Metro Center, 775 12th St NW, Washington DC. The CWA standard room rate is $195 single and double. Attendees should call 800-228-9290 or 202-737-2200 to make reservations before the cut-off date, April 10, 2007. Registration for the annual meeting is $125 for members and $150 for nonmembers. Registration for the education session, "Fundamentals of Construction Writing," is also $125 for members and $150 for nonmembers, and proceeds are set aside for the CWA scholarship fund. Combined registration for the education session and annual meeting is $240 for members and $290 for nonmembers. CWA accepts dues ($100 per year for an individual member) with registration fees.
Partial list of sponsors for the meeting: Headline Sponsor: Caterpillar. Byline sponsors: Ditch Witch and McCarthy Building Companies Inc. General Sponsors: American Road & Transportation Builders Association, McGraw-Hill Construction, National Asphalt Pavement Association, Portland Cement Association, Randall Reilly Publishing, Society for Marketing Professional Services, Surety Information Office, and Walter P Moore.
The Construction Writers Association is a non-profit, non-partisan, international organization for journalists, publicists, photographers, and marketing communications professionals serving the information needs of the construction industry. By providing opportunities for networking, education, recognition, and fellowship, CWA helps foster a strong community-and improve the quality of construction writing. The organization has nearly 300 members and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2008. For details on hotel and meeting registration, visit the association's website at www.constructionwriters.org or call the CWA office at 847-398-7756 for information and a registration form.
Download Registration Form (PDF)
For information:
Deborah J. Hodges
Executive Director
P.O. Box 14784
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Telephone 773 687-8726
Fax 773 687-8627
info@constructionwriters.org