Salute to Construction started 26 years ago as an umbrella group for representatives of construction-related groups to share information about the industry. Today, Salute to
Construction is guided by a council of representatives from 25 member organizations working toward three primary goals:
- to celebrate achievements in the construction industry;
- to make the community aware of the many job and economic opportunities in construction; and
- to bring industry and community groups together to share information.
Under the umbrella
The following organizations are represented on the Salute to Construction Council: American Institute of Architects; American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers; Builders’ Association; Carpenters Local Union 978; Concrete Promotion Council of the Ozarks; Greater Ozarks Building Systems Association; Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 753; Mechanical Contractors Association of Greater Springfield; Missouri Society of Professional Engineers; Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors; National Association of Women in Construction Southwest Missouri Chapter No. 366; Professional Engineers in Private Practice; Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 178; Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 36; Southwest Missouri Code Officials; Construction Specifications Institute Southwest Missouri Chapter; Springfield Building and Construction Trades Council; Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Springfield Contractors Association; Springfield Design Association; Drury University chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students; and the design and construction departments at Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College.
Though many people think Salute to Construction is an arm of the Springfield Contractors Association – perhaps because SCA allows the council to meet in its offices – it is a separate entity among the many represented on the council.
Salute members volunteer their time throughout the year to visit area schools and tell students about career opportunities in construction. The council meets several times a year and at least monthly leading up to annual Salute to Construction events, primarily a mixer and proclamation ceremony and annual banquet. This year’s kickoff mixer was held Oct. 26 at Houlihan’s restaurant, 2110 E. Republic Road. The banquet, during which several awards will be presented, is set for Nov. 4 at Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone Ave. Tickets are still available for $35 apiece by calling (417) 862-1313.
Among the major awards to be presented at the banquet are Developer of the Year, Project of the Year, Craftsman of the Year, Superintendent of the Year and NAWIC’s awards for women in construction. Several groups also will present scholarships to area college students.
Local support
It’s no secret that the construction industry isn’t as active as it has been in years past, but there are still achievements to celebrate construction in the Ozarks. For example, the mixer site, Houlihan’s, was designed by local architects and engineers and built by local contractors and subcontractors, which supports the local industry.
Some construction fields are starting to see an increase in available work, and bidding has become fiercely competitive for contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers alike. The Salute to Construction Council encourages using local contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers to help the Ozarks construction sector grow.
We continue to hope work levels will increase, and the council will continue its work to make sure the community as a whole is aware of the construction industry has to offer.
Architect Stephanie Ireland represents Southwest Missouri Code Officials on the Salute to Construction Council and is this year’s Salute to Construction coordinator. She may be reached at stephanie@irelandarchitects.com.[[In-content Ad]]
