Opinion: Salute to Construction puts focus on industry

Very often, I am asked to explain Salute to Construction, and it’s a bit of a challenge. One definition of Salute to Construction is that it’s an ongoing effort to increase awareness among young people and in the community about the employment opportunities in the construction industry and to help improve the general image of the building trades.

It’s also a group effort by representatives of many organizations with interest in building and related issues. The Salute to Construction Council comprises representatives of industry organizations who work together to get local building professionals into Ozarks classrooms to talk about construction.

The council also orchestrates the annual Salute to Construction banquet, which provides yet another definition for Salute to Construction: It’s a time to recognize up-and-coming building professionals in training, as many organizations award scholarships and other honors at the banquet, which this year is Nov. 4 at the Clarion Hotel. During the banquet, there is also time set aside to remember individuals from the industry who have died and to pay tribute to their contributions.

SBJ Publisher Dianne Elizabeth and I both serve as at-large members on the Salute to Construction Council. Salute is sponsored by 20 organizations: the Springfield Chapter of the American Institute of Architects; the Ozarks Chapter of the American Society of Heating; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers; Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 15; The Builders Association; Concrete Promotion Council of the Ozarks; Greater Ozarks Building Systems Association; Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 453; Mechanical Contractors Association of Greater Springfield; Ozark Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors; Ozark Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers; the Southwest Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Women In Construction; Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 178; the Ozark Chapter of Professional Engineers in Private Practice; the Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute; Southwest Missouri Code Officials; Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Springfield Contractors Association; Springfield Design Association; and United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 978.

Participation also is open to student chapters of AIA at Drury University, and American Society of Interior Designers at Missouri State University, as well as MSU’s Construction Club and Construction Technology at Ozarks Technical Community College.

Each participating organization has a liaison who works with the Salute to Construction Council. As part of our coverage, we ask a representative of each group, or its leader, to participate in a question-and-answer about the organization and the industry. You will find those Q & A features throughout Inside Business. Those who aren’t featured did not respond to requests for information or did not respond by deadline. However, I think what those who did participate had to say was interesting, and I hope you do, too.

Without a doubt, Salute makes for a busy time, not only for SBJ as we put this issue together, but for everyone who helps out. Business – and particularly the construction business – isn’t slow. But don’t take my word for it.

Check out our Construction Around Town project features, and news about some of the exciting things happening in the construction industry in Springfield and southwest Missouri. Work continues on Branson Landing, as well as numerous other projects at various stages of completion.

There’s a new organization forming for home inspectors, and developers Mike and Dan Chiles are pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for a building rehab project in downtown Springfield. And that’s just the tip of the construction news iceberg.

While the Discovery Center, the first LEED-certified new construction in Springfield, has brought to the forefront environmentally sound building practices, it seems those are catching on in a big way in the Ozarks. One of the steps the Salute Council considered in the planning process was incorporating green building and environmental issues into Salute. This does nothing but add to what Salute already works to accomplish. Perhaps it means that as professionals visit classrooms, they will talk about how their facet of the industry works to preserve the environment.

Our location, the Discovery Center, provided the perfect jumping-off spot for the kickoff ceremony leading up to the culmination of Salute at the banquet. Pictures from the event are on page 22.

Some of the questions we posed to Salute sponsor group leaders deal with the environment, and regardless of the question, the message is clear: The local building industry cares about the world in which we live and work.

Salute to Construction provides the perfect opportunity to take note of what building brings to our economy and to our community. While the banquet is only once a year, recognition and appreciation of the building industry can – and I think should – be given year-round. So next time you see a project under way, don’t get bogged down by any traffic congestion or dust that might result. Instead, focus on the good parts – the jobs and the people and organizations behind them, helping to pump dollars into the Ozarks.

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