Salute Council: Salute welcomes union, adds Web site

Kim Buche is 2004 Salute to Construction coordinator and project coordinator with Interior Construction Concepts.

I am so proud to be a part of Salute to Construction and the design and construction industry. Construction has the fourth greatest economic impact in the Ozarks behind manufacturing, health care and transportation. The Salute Council is comprised of 24 organizations and eight At-Large council members that work throughout the year to organize Salute. Several of the liaisons are part of the council year after year, which provides us some consistency, while the new liaisons help to keep the programs fresh and current.

The theme for Salute to Construction is "Building Communities, Careers and Lives." Salute serves so many important purposes.

First of all, a number of local professions volunteer their time to visit local schools to present the various opportunities in the design and construction industry as a career choice. There are so many facets to the industry, including architects, engineers, interior designers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Each of these professions has numerous positions that work together to create the buildings, parks, roads, bridges, etc., that create our community. We would like students to realize that they don't have to swing a hammer to be involved in construction.

Secondly, we try to promote a positive perception of the construction industry in general. I think a lot of people see a new construction site and just think about the traffic delays, dirty streets, and noise it causes. We would like the public to appreciate the expanded hospital services, the new shopping center with a specialty store new to this area, the jobs created by new businesses, or the smoother traffic flow around town that results from this temporary inconvenience.

Third, the Salute Banquet is our opportunity to celebrate the industry. Scholarship recipients are recognized and awards are presented for outstanding accomplishments in the industry.

Every year we, as the Salute Council, try to improve the three main areas of our focus. This year is no exception. The Salute Council is very proud to have the trades join our efforts. While not all the trades chose to join the Salute Council, we are thrilled to have Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 15, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 453, and United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 978.

John Creller, Mike Mills and Art Kessler have been active participants on the Salute Council and a very welcome addition. The trades have a lot to offer students in the way of education and training, which is part of what Salute is all about.

In an effort to better reach students and prospective employees we are creating a Web site at www.salutetoconstruction.org. The Web site follows our motto. We have one section that highlights some of the recent projects that affect our community. The careers portion of our Web site is geared primarily toward students and has detailed information about careers available in the design and construction industry. The lives section of the Web site focuses on the lives of those of us in the design and construction industry, is recognizing people and projects that have been honored at the annual Salute to Construction Banquet.

We also have an annual photo contest. Two years ago we did not have a great response, so last year we changed the rules to include digital pictures. The response was amazing! I don't think any of us on the Salute Council would have predicted the increase in entries. This year we changed the rules again.

All pictures are reviewed by the Springfield Contractors Association and Builder's Association safety committees to make sure there are no obvious safety violations pictured. Only one picture was disqualified by the new rule this year. We didn't have as many entries this year, but as usual, there are some very cool photos.

In the past we have had the proclamation ceremony to kick off the Annual Salute to Design & Construction. This year we decided to have the kick-off mixer. We invited everyone to the new Expo Center in Jordan Valley Park. Not only did we have the Proclamation Ceremony, but also tours of the building, complimentary light hors d'oeuvres, and cash bar. The city and county made proclamations and letters were read by representatives of Sen. Kit Bond, Sen. Jim Talent, and U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt.

Being an active participant in the construction industry is a wonderful experience. Every day is unique. Every project is unique. I have met so many wonderful people. The owners are just as excited about the projects as I am, and it couldn't happen without terrific subcontractors and suppliers. Everyone works together toward a common goal, and it is so satisfying to see a completed project and a satisfied client.