Construction Specifications Institute exists first and foremost to serve its members and has an overall mission to advance building information management and educate building project teams to improve facility performance.
The local chapter accomplishes this mission by providing educational opportunities through which members can earn continuing education credits and learn about new construction products or processes. CSI also serves as a networking venue, allowing members to take advantage of the knowledge base of the diverse membership group.
The local CSI chapter has about 70 members, including architects, engineers, contractors, and suppliers. The group holds general meetings on the third Thursday of every month and is working with area colleges to find ways to encourage student participation.
CSI has a longstanding presence in the Ozarks, and the local chapter celebrated its 15th anniversary in March.
The local chapter is led by Travis Miller of Miller Engineering, president; Kim Beckham of Springfield Public Schools, president-elect; Tina Brown of Bales Construction, treasurer; Julie Dame, secretary; Mike Coan, of Connell Insurance, past president; and board members Michael Nesbitt of Nesbitt Construction, Crystal Shotts of Southern Supply, Ty Alexander of Terracon, Jeff Jones of DeWitt & Associates, Rob Gentry of Sierra Building Products, and Bryan Cox of Engineers Reprographics.
Several times a year, the group travels to area construction material manufacturers to tour their facilities for hands-on experience. Each August, the group treats its members to a night at the ball game, watching the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. The group also hosts an annual trade show, fostering one-on-one time with area suppliers for designers and contractors.
The local chapter will host the CSI North Central Region’s annual conference May 12–14 at the Hilton convention center in Branson. Attendees will be coming from all over the Midwest, representing 22 chapters in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and all of the states north to the Canadian border. There will be numerous opportunities for networking, continuing education workshops and outings such as a paddleboat tour and fishing tournament.
In the past few years, the economy has been particularly challenging for the construction industry, and CSI’s members are not immune. The camaraderie found at meetings and group events can be a breath of fresh air and an opportunity for members to feed from the group’s diverse membership for ideas and opportunities.
The National CSI organization also has an annual convention for all members. This event, dubbed Construct, will be the 55th annual CSI convention and is to be held in September in Chicago.
Mike Coan is past-president of Construction Specifications Institute’s southwest Missouri chapter. For more information, visit www.csinet.org.[[In-content Ad]]
