public relations guide for contractors

NOVEMBER 2008 Central Florida Chapter PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE FOR CONTRACTORS Now is the time to promote your company When it comes to insurance... Bonds aren’t the only item on our menu. We dish out great insurance plans, also. General Liability • Workers’ Comp • Builders Risk • Property • Bonds • Commercial Auto Contact: J. Mark Whitehead 407.831.4424 712 Ballard Street • Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701 TF: 866.249.6582 F: 407.831.4421 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Dust O ff You r Type wri ters! Central Florida Chapter President & CEO Mark P. Wylie mwylie@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1272 Director of Communications BCF Editor & Designer Pamela Hughes phughes@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1268 Director of Education Lori Blake lblake@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1264 ABC Public Relations Guide For Contractors 23 Developing A Media Plan 23 Cultivating Relationships with the media 24 Developing A Feature Article 26 Nine Keys to Effective Media Relations 28 Sending Out Press Releases 29 Create News with Special Events 30 Crisis Communication 31 Corporate Public Relations Departments 5 2008 Value Club Members 6 President’s Perspective 8 Calendar of Events 10 Member Mailbox 20 Awards & Recognition 21 People 22 Letter from the Editor 38 October Renewals 42 New Members Features 12 Hometown Democracy 15 Construction Economic Update 35 IRS Proposed Rule 36 Workers Compensation Rate 41 Letter from ABC National Building Central Florida (BCF) is published monthly by the Central Florida Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. All material becomes the property of ABC unless prior arrangements are made. Photo Galleries 9 Legislative Hobnob & Wine Tasting We welcome submissions of articles and press releases from our members, however we reserve the right to publish based on relevance, and space availability. Please direct all inquiries to BCF@abccentralflorida.org. 17 Conversations with Lawmakers 37 Fall Golf Tournament 39 Fall Lunchtime Barbeque 40 October Member Reception Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions $40. Single issue $3.95 each. For information, please call 407-398-1268. 4 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www.abccentralflorida.com Director of Finance & Administration Denise Charlesworth dcharlesworth@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1270 Marketing Director Becki Lewis blewis@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1266 Director of Member Services Nancy Wray nwray@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1276 Membership Director Cheryl Bovio cbovio@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1278 Membership & Events Assistant Brandy Whitmire bwhitmire@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1282 Accounting Assistant Debbie Crosby dcrosby@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1280 Executive Assistant Charlotte Moegel cmoegel@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1274 Administrative Assistant Tina Razzano trazzano@abccentralflorida.org 407.398.1262 ABC Central Florida Chapter 651 Danville Drive, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32825-6391 Tel: 407.628.2070 | Fax: 407.629.0144 www.abccentralflorida.com Value Club ABC Central Florida’s Prestigious One Year Sponsorship Opportu Opportunity Gold Value Club Able Body Labor • Alliance Solutions Group • Alpha Environmental Management Corp. • Balfour Beatty Construction • Bergelectric Corporation Classic Chevrolet • Coastal Mechanical Services, LLC • Colonial Construction Services, LLC. • Contemporary Construction Services • Doster Construction Company, Inc. • Enterprise Fleet Management • Florida Business Interiors • Full Pull, Inc. • Ginn Development International, LLC • GRG Structures Group, Inc. Hardin Construction Company, LLC • Hartford South • Hensel Phelps Construction Company • Hoar Construction, LLC • J. King & Company • Kelly Electric, LLC • KHS&S Contractors • Kirwin Norris, P.A. • M.J. Harris, Inc. Maxim Crane Works • McGraw Hill Construction • Michael C. Sasso, P.A. Miller Plastering & Stucco, Inc. • Mivan, Inc. • Mobile Modular Management Corp. • Morton Electric, Inc. • Mullinax Ford • Palmer Electric Company • PCL Construction Services, Inc. • Piranha Network Cabling, Inc. • PPI Construction Management • Skanska USA Building • The Whitehead Agency • United Forming, Inc. • Volvo Rents • Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc. • Wharton-Smith, Inc. Workers Temporary Staffing Platinum Value Club Silver Value Club Aagaard-Juergensen, Inc. • B&B Interior Systems • BE&K Building Group Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC • Burkey Risk Services, Inc. • Carter Electric Co., Inc. Comprehensive Energy Services • D & D Smith Constructors, LLC • Don Reid Ford • East Coast Fire Protection • Energy Air, Inc. • Heintzelmans Ford International Flooring, Inc. • Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. • Normax Mechanical, Inc. • R.C. Stevens Construction Company • S.I. Goldman Company, Inc. • TLC Concrete Construction, Inc. Bronze Value Club Andrew General Contractors, Inc. • Brown & Brown, Inc. - Maitland • D & A Building Services, Inc. • Ellis Mechanical Corp. • JCB Construction, Inc. • John N. Puder, Inc. • Lake Glass & Mirror, Inc. • Mystic Granite & Marble • Osburn, Henning & Co., CPA • Progressive Plumbing, Inc. • Pyramid Masonry Contractors, Inc. • Rexel Consolidated Electrical Supplies • RSC Equipment Rental • Seacoast National Bank • Southern Fire Protection of Orlando • Tarmac, A Titan America Business • Tatro Construction Company, LLC • The Cat Rental Store/Ring Power Corporation • Walt Disney Imagineering Florida For more information, please contact Becki Lewis at 407.628.2070 or email blewis@abccentralflorida.org Plug Into Our Network! PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Like me, did you ever forget something important? I know most women reading this will say “Duh…he’s a man over 50. They all do.” Well I mean you youngsters and women, too. I am talking about something that was right in front of you – hiding in plain sight. Play this game: After you have driven to work and as you pull into the parking lot, stop and think about the important benchmarks along the way. Name three car types you saw. Name three business vehicles you passed by. Did you stop at that light or was it green? Do you remember what your spouse was wearing this morning? My friend and fellow president Dan Shaw in the Florida East Coast Chapter presented me with this nugget of truth: In a down economy, becoming invisible is a bad decision. Think about it. Yes, you will cut back on all of your expenses, from payroll to vehicles. But be careful about how much you cut back on business development, promotion and just plain attendance at functions. Whether it is the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts or ABC, your support of associations translates into visibility for your business, a kind of blaze orange vest for your business if you will. Your potential customers and business allies are still involved and will see you in the woods. Competitors who drop out of membership organizations, who stop sponsoring golf outings or meetings will blend into the milieu and many opportunities will just go past them. Rumors about business success are with us anyway, but a drastic reduction in participation, when you are not there to directly answer the questions or meet the decision makers, will put you at a disadvantage. In A Down Economy, Becoming Invisible Is A Bad Decision. My point is that studies have shown that routine activity is often conducted with your brain on “auto-pilot.” There are often no big decisions to make as you drive to work or kiss your spouse goodbye. You do it everyday. So your brain shuts down its decision-making apparatus for those events and lets you multi-task – thinking about “important stuff.” Decades ago hunters figured this out and started wearing blaze orange so that other hunters would not accidentally shoot them as they walked through the woods. OSHA recognized this when it started requiring workers to wear high visibility vests or shirts. Auto insurers used to give a discount if your vehicle had automatic-on headlights for the same reason. Which brings me to the economic conditions of today… full of danger and the possibility of being shot. The stock market is fluctuating wildly, the credit markets are being slammed and banks are having second and third thoughts about lending. “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!” as Ghost Buster’s character Dr. Peter Venkman opined. Anyhow, let’s all move back from the ledge. Business even at a reduced rate will go on in Central Florida. Construction has become more competitive, with less to go after, but there will be business. visibility. I would postulate that we have seen participation at ABC events go up 10-20% this year, even more in the past few months, as members recognize this truism about Which brings me to renewing your membership for 2009… If you were not one of the nearly 200 companies which renewed their 2009 ABC membership in October, consider the opportunities you will have next year, if you renew, to stand out from the crowd, and represent your business at the ABC events. Value Club is another opportunity to stay visible all year long. Consider the opportunity to learn new ideas and concepts at the ABC seminars. And of course consider the opportunity to stay in front of state and federal politicians in the coming year. As I write this the election is still in front of us and the results are not clear. But regardless of the outcome, economists tell us that 2009 will be a shakeout year for many businesses. If the economy doesn’t slow you down, labor will challenge merit employers and government will challenge free enterprise as it flails around for a solution. ABC will come out of 2009 a stronger organization with your continued support, and you will too if you keep your visibility high! If you are thinking you and your company will survive this downturn, you need a plan. I would suggest that part of that plan be visibility. Mark P. Wylie President 6 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www.abccentralflorida.com HEA AT PU UMP PS TH HERM MAL ENER RGY STOR RAGE E DEMAN ND CONTR ROL VENTTILAT TION (DCV) DU UCT TEST DUC CT REEPAIR R EN NERGYY RECOVERY VENTTILLATTION (ERV V) PT TAC STEA AM CLE EANIN NG ROOFFTOP UNIT T REC COMMISS SION NING G EFFICIEN NT INDOO OR LIGHT G IN NG OCCUPAN NCY SENSO ORS EFFIICIEN NT CO OMPR RESS SED AIR SYSTEEM EFFICIENTT MOTTORS COOL RO OOF CEILING INSULATION ON UPGR RADE GREEEN ROOFF ROO OF INS SULA ATION N UPG PGRADE DE WIN WINDOW W FILM M OR R SCR REEN AIR--COOLED AND D WAT ATER-CO OOLLED ELECTRIC C CHIILLER RS HE EAT PUMP PS PA ACKA AGED D TER RMIN NAL HEAT PUM MPS UNIT TARY AC AND HEAT PUM P PS THERM MAL ENERG GY ST STORA AG DEMA AGE AND CON NTRO OL VEN NTILA LATION (DC CV) DUCT T TES ST DU UCT REPA AIR ENER RGY REC COV VERY Y VEN NTILA LATIO ON (ERV) R PTAC C STE EAM A CLE C ANI NING NG ROO OOFT FTOP UNIT RECO OMM MIS SSIO ONIN NG EFFFICIIENT T INDO OOR LIGH HTING G OC CCUP PANC CY 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LATION N (DC DCV) V DUC UCT T TEST DUCT DUC REPAIR IR EN ENERG ER Y RECOVERY VENTILA LATIO TION N ((ERV) PTAC TAC S STEAM MC CLEAN NING NG ROOFTOP UNIT RECOM COMMIS M SIONING EF EFFIC FICIEN IENT T IIN NDOOR LIGHTI TING NG OCCUPA PAN NCY SENSOR ORS S EFFIICIE CIENT N COMPRE PRESSE SSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIEN NT M MOTO OTORS COO OL RO ROOF CEILING INSU CEI NSULATION ON UP UPGRADE GREEEN ROO ROOFF ROOF ROOF IN INS SULATION UPG PGRA RADE W DOW FILM OR SCR WIN S EEN AI AIR-C R-COOL O ED AND WATER-COOLEED EELEC LECTRIC CHILLE LLE LERS R HEA EAT T PUMPS P PACK ACKAGE A D TERM MINA INALL HEAT HEAT PU PUMPS MPS UNITARYY A AND AC D HEAT HEA PUM PUMPS MPS THERMALL ENERGY STORA ORA RAGE G DEMAND GE AND D CONTROL VENTILA LATIO TION TIO N (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY We’ve got more than a few ways to help. + INCENTIVE SAVING Building green has never been so profitable. ENERGY Not only are energy-efficient buildings more attractive to buyers, Progress Cool Roof = $14,500 $ ,500 Energy now has more financial incentives to help you build them. Plus, our Business Efficiency Experts have the knowledge and experience you need to help meet your business goals and to keep up with changing state and federal efficiency standards. Call 877.372.8477 to get the savings started. High-Efficiency Chiller = $9 $97,000 ,000 Green Roof = $27,100 $ , 00 Heat Pump = $ $103,000 03,000 Thermal Energy Storage = $88,000 It’s your wallet. It’s your world. Save the watts. ©2007 Progress Energy Florida *Based on energy savings for the lifetime of equipment, plus one-time ment for a 10,000 square-foot facility. Heat pump based upon 100-room ho based upon large retail location. Savings and incentives may vary. Con Energy for a free Business Energy Check, which is a prerequisite for all Pr incentives. To qualify for incentives, program specifics and requireme CALENDAR OF EVENTS Events AT T E N D O U R E V E N TS A N D M A XI M I Z E YO U R M E M B E RS H I P December 2008 4 Holiday Reception 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Slingapour’s, Orlando 25 Wall Street Plaza, Orlando, FL 32801 Sponsored by the Bronze Value Club 9 CEO Holiday Reception 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., By Invitation Only Sponsored by the Silver Value Club 25 & 26 31 & 1/1 ABC Offices Will Be Closed December 25, 26 and 31 and January 1. Education T H E FO L LOW I N G C L ASS ES A R E AVA I L A B L E I N D E C E M B E R . 12/2 CPR 5 p.m. 12/2 Rough Terrain Forklift Training (Today and Wednesday) 5 p.m. 12/4 First Aid 5 p.m. 12/9 OSHA 10-hour (Tuesday and Thursday) 4 p.m. 12/10 Microsoft Office 2007 - Word Advanced We can also teach classes at your site! Please call Lori Blake at 407-398-1264 or email lblake@abccentralflorida.org VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR 2009 CLASSES AND EVENTS W W W. A B C C E N T R A L F LO R I DA . C O M 8 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www.abccentralflorida.com 8 a.m. Education Committee 12/9 Education Sponsor: Visit our website at abccentralflorida.com to download class registration forms or to register online. LEGISLATIVE HOBNOB & WINE TASTING ABC Legislative Hobnob & Wine Tasting August 13, 2008 Sponsors Baker Concrete Construction, Inc. Hensel Phelps Construction Company Kirwin Norris, P.A. Philco Construction, Inc. PPI Construction Management R.C. Stevens Construction Company TLC Concrete Construction Tri-City Electrical Contractors, Inc. United Wall Systems Wharton-Smith, Inc. www.abccentralflorida.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 9 MEMBER MAILBOX Sundance Awnings was contracted to design, fabricate & install a 180’ Zeppelin at the new Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, SC. The structure covers the area were riders enter and exit the high speed roller coaster dedicated to the rock band Led Zeppelin. The interior of the structure is made up of 17 custom made curved aluminum I Beams. The largest Beam is 30 feet in diameter at the center. A custom designed fabric was used to “skin” the exterior of the airship. It is grey on the outboard side and a cream on the inboard side. The rear of the Zeppelin has fins which stand 15 feet tall and each is decorated with an 8 foot logo of the band. The Zeppelin has become the feature Icon of the new park. Sundance is not new to this arena; they have produced large scale fabric structures for Seaworld, Universal and Walt Disney World. The company is based out of Orlando, Florida. SIKON Construction Corporation… …announced the company completed the new two-story, 96,000-square-foot Kohl’s store in Hollywood, FL. Designed by Scott & Goble Architects, Tulsa, OK, the grand opening was held October 1. …announced the company completed the new 96,000-square-foot Kohl’s Department Store in Miramar, FL. Designed by Scott & Goble Architects, Tulsa, OK, the grand opening was held October 1. 10 Edwards Construction Services, Inc. …announced the company’s Residential Amenities division is under way on the $18.5 million Nocatee Aquatics Park Amenity Center project in the Town of Nocatee, under development by The PARC Group near Ponte Vedra in St. John’s County, FL. The 78acre recreational facility will feature: a 2-story, 12,000-square-foot Nocatee Community Center with meeting space, a fitness center, bathhouse, pavilions, cabana and offices; and a resort-style Nocatee Aquatics Park with four swimming pools including a Junior Olympic pool with stadium-style seating for competitions and a 52-foot water slide tower. Designed in “Florida Classical” architecture by Ervin Lovett & Miller, Jacksonville, the park will also feature a “lazy river” with cascading waterfalls and a whirlpool. …announced the company’s Residential Amenities division completed the new $4.5 million, 18,416-square-foot Havana Country Club at The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Lady Lake, FL. Designed by KP Studio Architect, P.A., Ocala, the facility serves the newlycompleted Kilimanjaro Golf Course designed by the internationally-acclaimed firm of Clifton, Ezell & Clifton. Terry’s Electric, Inc., …completed the School District of Osceola County’s new 111,000-square-foot Elementary School “J” in Harmony, FL. Clancy & Theys Construction Company, Orlando, was the general contractor for the project according to Mark Neveu, Commercial Division president of Kissimmee-based Terry’s Electric. …completed electrical work at the new 8-story, 268,000-square-foot Parkvue Condominiums and Offices located in downtown Kissimmee, FL. Roger B. Kennedy, Inc., Altamonte Springs, served as general contractor for the project according to Mark Neveu, Commercial Division president of Terry’s Electric. McMillen Design Group, Kissimmee, served as project architect. Comprehensive Energy Services, Inc. …is in the final stages of successfully completing a $2,000,000 renovation project for the “The Central Florida Behavioral Hospital II.” The project consists of HVACR system component demolition, installation and replacement, including: air distribution duct work, building automation temperature controls, chilled water piping, exhaust fans, installation of a 90 ton chiller and plumbing. …is in the final stages of successfully completing the “Downtown Surgery Center” mechanical construction project, valued at $846,000. The project consists of the demolition, renovation and installation of HVAC, plumbing and medical gas systems. CES is under contract with Freese Construction. Community Spotlight: Each year, in our December issue we publish press releases and news items submitted by our members which highlight your contributions to the Central Florida Community. If you have stories to share, please submit your item before November 14th. If you have any questions, please call Pamela Hughes at 407-398-1268 or send an email to bcf@abccentralflorida.org. BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www.abccentralflorida.com Tilt-Con Corporation… …is under way on Valdosta State University’s new multimilliondollar 4-story, 118,368-square-foot Student Union building in Valdosta, GA, under its contract with Skanska USA Building. The project is slated for completion in January 2009. MEMBER MAILBOX …is under way on the new 130,486-square-foot Ring Power Riverview, Phase III, facility in Riverview, in Hillsborough County, FL, under its contract with design/builder Stellar, Jacksonville, FL. The project is slated for completion in early 2009. …is under way on Westminster Christian School’s new 2-story, 22,250-square-foot cafetorium in Palmetto Bay, in Miami-Dade County, under its contract with Burke Construction Group, Doral, FL. Tilt-Con’s scope of work is slated for completion in January 2009. …is under way on Broward County Public Schools’ new multimilliondollar 121,225-square-foot Elementary School Z in Parkland, in Broward County, FL. Selected for the project by Skanska USA Building’s Dania Beach, FL, office. Tilt-Con’s work is slated for completion in January 2009. Williams Company is proud to announce the completion of the new Target SoDo. The $26 million project is a full sized Super Target store (180,467 square feet) with a two level, 720 space precast concrete parking garage above. The lower level deck of the garage acts as the roof membrane over approximately 75% of the sales space, making this one of the largest plaza decks in North America. Williams Company has built 150 Targets across the Southeast. The grand opening celebration is scheduled for October 10-12. SchenkelShultz Architecture, Orlando, announced the firm completed the School Board of Sarasota County’s new $16.5 million, 73,370-square-foot Suncoast Polytechnical High School in Sarasota, FL, representing the first phase of the 72-acre Sarasota Technical Center campus under design by SchenkelShultz. Shaw Mechanical Services LLC announced today it has secured a $3.2 million contract with Walker & Company, of Winter Park, Fla, for the partial replacement of Conway Middle School in Orlando, Fla. Procurement, installation, equipment startup and commissioning of the HVAC systems are included in the mechanical contractor’s scope of services for the construction of three new buildings, the renovation of two existing buildings, and significant upgrades to the central energy plant and campus wide district cooling. Construction will be phased as work on the occupied campus progresses through a 26-month completion schedule. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, was recently awarded contracts to design a new Winn Dixie supermarket in New Smyrna Beach and three Winn-Dixie remodeling projects in Pasco, Marion and Citrus Counties. The three remodeling projects, which are located at retail centers in Zephyrhills, Dunnellon and Beverly Hills, Fla. are all 48,500 square foot Winn Dixie facilities. Seretta Construction, Inc. …will soon begin work as the concrete tilt-up subcontractor for the 360,000 square foot IDI Lakeview Distribution Center project in Groveland, Florida. This project is scheduled to start midNovember with a completion date sometime in March of 2009. …recently began working as the concrete tilt-up subcontractor for the Ring Power 116,000 sf office/warehouse project in Lakeland, Florida. The project began in November of 2008 and is scheduled for completion sometime in late March of 2009. Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. has been selected by Wyndham Vacation Ownership as Architect and Designers for the Wyndham Hotel and Spa at Bonnet Creek Resort. Located adjacent to the Walt Disney World Resort, this new 366, 000 square foot, 400 room hotel will include approximately 27,000 square feet of conference/banquet space, a 7,000 square foot luxury spa/fitness center with additional outdoor space, two full-service restaurants and extensive resort amenities. Construction started in April 2008 with anticipated completion in January 2010. The Wyndham hotel will be an integral part of the existing Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort designed by HHCP which opened in 2004. HHCP is currently submitting this project for LEED Certification for the Wyndham organization. www.abccentralflorida.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 11 HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY ST. PETE BEACH: TROUBLING DEVELOPMENTS IN A “HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY” TESTING GROUND By Ryan Houck In 2006, St. Pete Beach became the only city in Florida to adopt a local Hometown Democracy (HD) measure, requiring voter approval for all comprehensive plan changes. Since becoming an HD test case, residents of the small Pinellas County town have endured seemingly endless legal battles, unavoidably chaotic elections, and serious economic setbacks. The local tourism-based economy has stagnated and costly legal and administrative delays have prevented the city from complying with state growth mandates. Playing by Hometown Democracy rules, community leaders in St. Pete Beach organized an effort to reinvigorate the local economy by placing four comprehensive plan changes on the ballot. Eager to end the legal and economic malaise, the voters of St. Pete Beach decisively approved all four plan changes in a special election on June 3rd, 2008. Lawsuits soon followed. Indeed, the same antigrowth activists who championed the “right to vote” are now seeking to overturn a free and fair election. In fact, Hometown Democracy disciples have filed nearly a dozen lawsuits aimed at stopping, stalling or invalidating the will of the people in St. Pete Beach. In a recent development, Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD) Co-chairman Ross Burnaman filed a legal challenge that seeks to overturn the election. Most Floridians will marvel at the brazen hypocrisy of a group that preaches “power to the people” while simultaneously seeking to frustrate elections at every turn. FHD leaders have claimed that Hometown Democracy is all about the voice of the people. However, the message they are now sending to the residents of St. Pete Beach is perhaps closer to the truth: “you can have any opinion you want, as long as it’s ours.” This is the natural result of a system that encourages conflict rather than compromise. In fact, most observers will not be surprised that the same Hometown Democracy supporters who campaigned on ‘the right to vote’ now seek to G I N N R E S O RT S TM overturn an election. They don’t really want to empower people; they want to stop all growth at any cost. If Hometown Democracy is aimed at stopping growth, then its leaders should have the intellectual courage to say so. However, if their idea is really about letting the will of the people prevail then FHD leaders should withdraw their legal challenge and let the election stand. Although it will not appear on the 2008 ballot, we can expect a full-fledged campaign in 2010. With your help, Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) remains dedicated to building that campaign and alerting every community to the dangers of this radical proposal. If you want to get involved, please visit the Floridians for Smarter Growth website at www.Florida2010.org. Ryan Houck is the executive director of Floridians for Smarter Growth, the statewide campaign against the socalled “Hometown Democracy” amendment. C O N T I N U E S TO PA RT N E R W I T H A B C M E M B E R S O N U P C O M I N G P RO J E C T S . GinnResorts.com ©2008 Ginn Hospitality, LLC. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks are the property proper perty off their ttheeir respective owners. ow 12 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www.abccentralflorida.com Why have 1,200 ABC Member Companies Chosen Enterprise? E nterprise Fleet Management is your full-service fleet management company. We work with thousands of contractors, including more than 1,200 ABC members. Savings Example 2008 GM Cargo Van Here are five of the MSRP $ 24,025 many benDealer Invoice 22,096 efits you Fleet Incentive 1,500 receive ABC Incentive 2,000 when you Final Cost $ 18,596 choose Total Savings $ 5,429 Enterprise as your fleet management partner: 1. Vehicle Savings You get access to Enterprise’s purchasing power for every brand and model of car, truck and van. And we ensure you receive the best incentives available in the market. 2. Funding Programs to Maximize Capital Improve your business cash flow with Enterprise’s flexible funding services. A customized plan will reduce your capital outlay and lower your monthly vehicle payments by up to 20 percent. 3. Maintenance Programs to Reduce Downtime Enterprise can manage every aspect of your company’s vehicle repair and maintenance needs for one low monthly fee. We negotiate the best rates to save your company up to 15 percent on vehicle maintenance and repair expenses. 4. Fuel Purchase Savings The Enterprise universal fuel card lets you make fuel purchases anywhere you want. You get a complete set of tracking reports and the control and flexibility to save your company up to 10 percent each month on fuel expenses. 5. Remarketing Services to Save on Holding Costs When a vehicle is ready to be cycled out of your fleet, Enterprise remarketing specialists will take care of every detail to maximize your vehicle resale price. Contact Enterprise today and discover how you can take advantage of our services — just like more than 1,200 other ABC member firms. 1-877-23-FLEET (1-877-233-5338) www.abc.org/enterprise CONSTRUCTION ECONOMIC UPDATE Nonresidential Construction Job Market Continues Decline in October Summary accounts for 7,069,000 jobs nationally, fell sion will undoubtedly be persuaded by the The nation’s nonresidential building construc- by 49,000 jobs in October and is down by October job numbers, which fell well short of tion job market declined for the second straight 508,000 jobs since October 2007, a 6.7 already lowered expectations,” said Anirban month losing 4,100 jobs in October, according percent decline. The last time the nation lost Basu, Associated Builders and Contractors to the November 7 employment report released this many construction jobs on a year-over-year (ABC) Chief Economist. “The national econo- by the U.S. Labor Department. Employment basis was July 1991, when job losses stood at my is now feeling the full force of the financial in nonresidential construction now stands at 522,000 and the economy was operating at crisis that peaked in September, and is now 769,200. Since October 2007, nonresidential recessionary levels. causing collateral damage in every region of building construction has lost 38,200 jobs, or the nation and in virtually every industry. 4.7 percent. Meanwhile, the residential build- Overall, national employment declined by ing construction job market continues to post 240,000 jobs in October, following a revised “Until a new regulatory environment is larger declines with 8,100 jobs lost in October 284,000 jobs lost in September. The nation’s established, and until confidence is restored 2008, and 118,800 jobs, or 12.4 percent, lost unemployment rate is now up to 6.5 percent in in the overall economy, financiers will stay since October 2007. Residential employment is October – the lowest since March 1994. on the sidelines further dampening economic at 813,700 (see graph below). performance,” added Basu. “The balance of What This Means 2008 will represent a period weaker than any Total private construction employment, which “Any observer who was unconvinced that the experienced in decades, and 2009 does not includes specialty trade contractors, and U.S. economy has entered a period of reces- look any better. “The broader economic weakness of the U.S. economy is increasingly penetrating the nonresidential construction industry,” said Basu. “However, there is discussion in Washington of an even bigger economic stimulus package than was implemented earlier this year, and it may include a meaningful infrastructure • • • • • • • • Stormwater Management NPDES Consulting Erosion Control Environmental Consulting SWPPP Management Green Build Credit Site Compliance Permit Preparation • • • • • • • • Site Inspections Site Maintenance Street Sweeping Silt Fence Installation Pond Management Grounds Maintenance Wetland Mitigation Etc. investment component, which would eventually stimulate the construction industry’s expansion and job growth,” continued Basu. “Still, it is unclear whether this sweeping legislation can be organized during the upcoming lame duck session of Congress, or whether the next stimulus package will be forged by the next Congress.” For more information, contact Gerry Fritz, fritz@abc.org NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 15 Knowledge and Experience: Our Building Blocks Building a construction business takes more than bricks and mortar; it requires strategic planning, a solid foundation, and service partners with industry experience. For over 20 years, Foley has dedicated resources to serve the construction industry. Our Construction Practice attorneys offer comprehensive legal services ranging from contract administration to construction and design defense, labor and employment matters to big claim litigation, environmental compliance, dispute resolution, and insurance issues. We concentrate on reducing your risks so you can focus on growing your business — ahead of schedule. For more information about our Construction Practice, please contact John P. Horan at 407.244.3265 or jhoran@foley.com. Foley.com ® JACKSONVILLE • ORLANDO • TALLAHASSEE • TAMPA BOSTON • BRUSSELS • CHICAGO • DETROIT • LOS ANGELES • MADISON • MILWAUKEE • NEW YORK • SACRAMENTO SAN DIEGO • SAN DIEGO/DEL MAR • SAN FRANCISCO • SILICON VALLEY • TALLAHASSEE • TOKYO • WASHINGTON, D.C. The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. ©2007 Foley & Lardner LLP Serving The Construction Industry Statewide For Over 14 years No Setup or Membership Fees Tel: (407) 834-9288 or (800) 723-9288 Fax: (407) 834-1473 or (800) 723-1473 401 Center Pointe Circle ~ Suite 1521 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 07.3337 CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS October 6: ABC Members were invited to question Tom Feeney about the proposed Wall Street Bailout plan to pump $700 billion into banks and equity firms and how it may be resolved. Photos by Macbeth Aerial & Commercial Photography | www.macbethaerial.com www.abccentralflorida.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 17 “Their school colors are red and black, but these students are learning in a green environment.” John Guirges, Senior Project Manager, Skanska in Orlando Studies have shown that environmentally friendly school buildings can actually help students perform better. So when the Colonial Ninth-Grade Center decided to go green, they came to Skanska, who had the knowledge to manage the construction process. Now it’s the first K-12 project in Florida to be registered for LEED® certification, and it’s getting high marks all around. www.skanska.com Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management Built to last. Courses include: Construction Law Building Construction Drawing Managing a Construction Project Construction Contracts Construction Cost Estimating Construction Layout Planning Construction Safety • • • • • • • 866.314.4540 • Small classes with individualized attention • Students take one class at a time for more focused learning • Financial aid available for those who qualify Orlando Campus 887 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 www.EvergladesUniversity.edu The Orlando Campus is a branch of the Main Campus in Boca Raton, Florida. Since 1984, KHS&S has built our business by achieving excellence in everything we do – from traditional wall and ceiling construction to themed construction, to healthcare construction. Financial stability and an unparalleled responsiveness to customer needs have made KHS&S a solid favorite for large-scale private and public construction projects. For a complete overview of services, visit our Web site at www.khss.com. Strength Jkpc\ meets Interiors Strength and durability along with years of experience, providing you with the knowledge and expertise you expect. A well respected force by following four simple principles: Safety Budget Schedule Quality Exteriors Themed Construction Water Feature & Rockwork Construction Healthcare Group www.colonialprop.com 407 324 5752 (407) 425-5550 Anaheim Atlantic City Dallas Las Vegas Orlando Reno San Diego San Francisco Bay Seattle Tampa www.khss.com AWARDS & RECOGNITION Pertree Constructors, Inc., with offices in Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized as one of Central Florida’s largest privately held companies by the Orlando Business Journal. At a luncheon held on September 19, 2008, Pertree Constructors was ranked at #49 on the Business Journal’s annual GOLDEN 100 List. D & A Building Services Inc. has been ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the nation’s fastest-growing, privatelyowned businesses in the country. This is the second consecutive year D & A has made the Inc. 5,000, a list that ranks businesses according to the percentage of revenue growth achieved from 2004 through 2007. D & A posted 86.2 percent growth on this year’s poll with 2004 revenues of $10.l million that grew to 2007 revenues of $18.9 million. The Company was also nationally ranked earlier this year by Hispanic Business, the largest publication devoted to Hispanic businesses in the United States. D & A Building Services came in at 270 in the Hispanic 500, an annual list compiled according to revenues of privately-owned businesses. Send your press releases, employee accomplishments and project news to bcf@abccentralflorida.org 20 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 PEOPLE UCF Psychology Building Building Florida’s Future from every angle:uniquely qualified www.ppicm.com Orlando • Gainesville • Palm Coast NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 21 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR This entire issue is dedicated to public relations. It’s impossible not to see the effect political campaigns have on our economy. Regardless of who is in office and who gets in office, it’s advantageous to scream the sky is falling if you want the public to embrace change. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. When times get tough, it might seem wise to duck and cover. Save your money, cut expenses, wait it out. We’re here to tell you to fight that urge. When you’ve got more business than you know what to do with, perhaps there isn’t a pressing need to advertise. But when you’re competing with twenty other companies it’s all a matter of name recognition, and perception is reality. All other things being equal, it’s the guy that has been around and top of mind that is going home with the business. Of course, we’d encourage you to advertise. See page nine for the 2009 advertising rate card for Building Central Florida. Want to really get your name out there and be highly visible? Become a Value Club Sponsor. See page 5 for the who’s who list. You’ll recognize most, if not all, of the names. But when money is tight, there’s still a way to get your name out there. Public Relations. And get this…it’s FREE. Public relations is shameless self promotion. Sending out press releases any time your company lands a job, finishes a job, or promotes/hires someone, is the most basic form of public relations. But there are other ways to position your company and its employees. Talk to the media, court the media, push the media to cover our industry. In a positive light, of course. If ABC’s 550+ members send positive stories to the local papers and media, our industry is on the upswing. Again, perception is reality. Send story ideas. Volunteer to serve as a spokesperson for your company or provide a list of experts that the media can contact for background information. I speak from experience. I admit that I’m not an expert on the construction industry. I’ve asked time and time again for members to send articles for possible publication. I give my email address in each and every member mailbox column. I’m completely shocked that I don’t receive 500+ news items every month. Seriously, I know you’re working on something. What is it? You might think this whole magazine should be passed off to the marketing department, but I encourage you to pass it around every department. Anyone that steps outside of your office, or answers a phone, can have a positive or negative impact on your company. Public Relations is the free form of advertising. Throw the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. You won’t always be published, but sometimes you will. It’s a numbers game. (P.S. in BCF we publish everything, unless you sent too many items, then we edit) As proof that it works, I offer the following true life story. There once was a company that made grooming products for horses. Incredibly, it would seem that it worked like magic on humans too. Shameless self promotion got them on Regis & Kathy Lee, and every national morning news program. Hundreds of papers carried their story. It was simply quirky. They went from barely scraping by, to a multi-million dollar success story. Go to your local supermarket and look for Mane and Tail shampoo. Pick up a bottle, it comes highly recommended by word of mouth. Still no paid advertising. Now that we’ve elected a new President, the media will turn their focus to what’s actually going on with our economy, and with this particular President, they will be most eager to cover good news. If it’s good news they want, give it to them. We’ll be bouncing back in no time. Join the Communications & Public Relations Committee! Call Pamela Hughes at 407-398-1268 or email, phughes@abccentralflorida.org Sincerely, Pamela Hughes Director of Communications ABC Central Florida Chapter PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Developing a Media Plan When dealing with the media, it is wise to have a media plan, so that all materials and communications can have a uniform look and “voice.” News releases, brochures and opinion editorials can all communicate a message about your company that is consistent and what you want to say. You cannot control what members of the press write about you, but you can control what YOU say and the image that you present to the community. • To develop a plan, you first have to decide what your message is. What is your mission? What are your primary goals and objectives? And what message do you want to get across to your targeted “publics?” You should consider these questions when developing a media plan. For example, your firm may place an emphasis on safety and may, in fact, have won awards for strong safety performance. You may want to ensure that a component of your media plan focuses on safety. • Once you have decided what you want to say, you need to conduct some preliminary research. You first need to identify who your key “publics” are—potential clients, subcontractors, community members and, in some cases, even lawmakers. You also want to create a media list that includes publications, television and radio programs that are read, watched and listened to by your target audiences. Find out key items like circulation, areas covered and focus to develop your list. Don’t forget to include the “trade” publications—that are often the most likely candidates to routinely cover construction projects and company-related information. • The media plan itself should include a variety of “tools” that help you get your message out. These include news releases, letters to the editor, opinion editorials, an Internet site, feature articles and special events. Cultivating relationships with the trade media Relationships with the press should be cultivated over time. Perhaps some of the easiest connections to make are with editors of constructionrelated publications. These editors need you as much as you need them; the construction industry is their “beat,” and they are always looking for good material to include in their publications. As a result, you may find them receptive to your ideas about projects you are working on, an innovative service, or awards won. When you identify a construction-related publication that covers your area or your type of company, call or arrange a visit to introduce yourself to the editor and/or other publications staff. Get to know them. Then stay in touch. Give the editors a call from time to time or drop them a note, perhaps to update them on what you are doing or to comment on an article that has appeared in their publication. The main point is to form a mutually beneficial relationship that will strengthen over time. Some tips: (These tips from Kirk Landers, editor of Construction Equipment, were featured in an edition of CWA News.) Prioritize your targets. There is a limit to the number of close editorial relationships you can maintain over an extended period of time, especially if you have responsibilities beyond press relations. Target those magazines that have the most significance to your communications goals. Don’t play the advertising card. The quid pro quo school of PR (I’ll advertise if you run my product release) is an insult to any editor who is serious about building an audience. It also brands the speaker as an amateur with dated notions about marketing communications. Educate your target editors. Very few editors have expertise in the subjects they cover. Therefore, make education part of your relationship with target editors. Give them annual updates on what’s happening in your company and your markets—technical changes, market share shifts, new applications, etc. This kind of information leads to article ideas and also stamps your company as a great reference for stories that touch on related subjects. Meet face to face at least once a year. Use trade shows, association meetings, business travel to editors’ cities, and similar occasions to cultivate relationships. Meals are better than meetings in the booth. If that’s not possible, meet over a cup of coffee. Follow up. Find a way to speak with your target editors at least once a year, if only for a few minutes. This can be a phone call. It can be mostly social, but make it a point to remind the editor of what you talked about at your last face-to-face meeting (“You know, we’ve really taken to heart what you said about press releases. I hope you’re seeing the difference.”). Have specific, realistic objectives. What do you want to get out of your relationships with editors? Have specific, long-term objectives for each magazine based on the type of material it publishes. Make sure your objectives are realistic. Don’t let a friendship supersede business. Initiating and building relationships can be challenging. However, sometimes the most challenging situation for both a communicator and editor comes after a strong friendship develops. It’s easy to spend an entire dinner talking sports, family and industry gossip and never get around to discussing the needs and interests of the magazine and your organization. Similarly, sometimes communicators are reluctant to convey criticism or discuss negative subjects with a favored editor for fear of taking advantage of a friendship. These are business relationships and business friendships, and one of the main advantages to both parties is the foundation of straightforward communications. www.abccentralflorida.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 23 PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Developing a Feature Article Writing a feature article for possible publication in a local newspaper or trade journal can be a good way for you to garner some publicity for a specific project, employee or community service activity. Because many newspapers and trade journals accept “freelance” articles, you may find numerous opportunities to highlight a specific project or activity in depth. This not only showcases your company and the good work that it is doing, it also allows you to more effectively control the coverage that appears in the publication, because the article is written by you or someone on your staff. Before submitting a feature article, find out if your targeted publication will accept articles. If so, find out what the word count and any other restrictions are so that your article fits into then parameters of the publication. Also, make sure you are familiar with the writing style of the publication: In order for an article to be accepted, it must be similar in tone and style. Perhaps you’re not a writer. You can still “pitch” the idea of a feature article to editors. You can either write a short “pitch” letter or call to explain why the readers of your targeted publication would enjoy reading about your project/activity. Remember, editors, particularly editors of trade journals, are always looking for an interesting topic to feature in their publication. Some tips for writing a feature: • Your first paragraph should be interesting and be able to pique the reader’s interest immediately. You want the reader to read the entire story, so you want to get them “hooked” right away. • Your article should tell a story, with a clear beginning, middle and end. Try to center the story around an event that is inherently dramatic. For example, if you are working on a Habitat for Humanity project, make the main focus of your article the day(s) you spent building the project. This lends a narrative structure to your article and makes it more likely that readers will read the full article. • Be sure to focus on people and include plenty of quotes. People like to read about other people and like to hear what they have to say. If you are working on a Habitat for Humanity project, for instance, include quotes from project managers or employees working on the project. • Be familiar with your target audience. Readers of a construction trade magazine will be looking for different things than readers of the local newspaper and will be more comfortable with construction-specific terminology. 24 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 Raising Expectations and Buildings for more than 60 years. w w w. hardinco ns tr u c tio n. com “...by far the best pictures anyone has done... and we have used other professionals before. Thank you so much!” [Andrea, Maitland, FL] “...expertly knowledgeable and understanding of our requirement, and delivered the desired results in the quickest possible time frame. I would recommend Jim to anyone, as he is best in class in this market.” [Aaron, Orlando, FL] “...asked insightful questions that helped to produce the best results, getting it right the first time... extremely current in knowledge and use of technology. My photos were available to me, online, the day after the flight, and the CD of high resolution images was on my desk a few days later. I will definitely contact Macbeth again for our future aerial photography needs and I enthusiastically recommend him to others.” [Rebecca, Orlando, FL] EMAIL info@MacbethAerial.com • TEL 407 745 1359 • WEB MacbethAerial.com ATTORNEYS AT LAW Litigation Contract Review & Negotiation Arbitration Joint Venture Construction Liens Surety Defense Suzanne Andrews Barbara B. Smithers Attorney Board Certified in Construction Law Attorney Attorney Board Certified in Construction Law Attorney, Registered Architect Board Certified in Construction Law Attorney of Counsel Phone 407.644.7161 FAX 407.629.6727 NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 25 PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Nine Keys To Effective Media Relations 1. Develop solid relationships. Take the time before a crisis strikes to get to know the key reporters in your local area and with the construction trade media who cover construction. There is no substitute for letting someone know that they can always pick up the phone and talk with you on a subject. Your company should have a list of key reporters with phone, fax and e-mail addresses if possible. ABC chapters are a good resource. 2. Learn about the media work cycle. Journalists have a tough job to do just like construction professionals. Theirs is a profession with its own ebb and flow. Be sure to learn about journalists’ deadlines and to always meet them. 3. Always be clear and truthful. Don’t try to be coy and deceptive with a journalist. It will always come back to haunt you. "MMGPSNTPG1PXFSBOE-JHIUJOH*OTUBMMBUJPOT )JHI7PMUBHFt"VEJPt4FDVSJUZt'JSF"MBSN )JHI7PMUBHFt"VEJPt4FDVSJUZt'JSF"MBSN 5FMFQIPOFt%BUBBOE'JCFS0QUJDT 5FMFQIPOFt%BUBBOE'JCFS0QUJDT 5SBJOFE$FSUJmFEBOE*OTVSFEGPS 8JSFMFTTt)JHI"DDFTT3BQQFMMJOH )JHI"DDFTT3BQQFMMJOH 2008 EAGLE AWARD WINNER "RVBUJDB0SMBOEP&MFDUSJDBM&OUFSUBJONFOU'BDJMJUJFT.JMMJPO 4&-&$5-*450'063130+&$54 &YQFEJUJPO&WFSFTU "OJNBM,JOHEPNT4JUF%FWFMPQNFOU 3PDL/3PMMFS$PBTUFS 5PXFSPG5FSSPS (.5FTU5SBDL $POUFNQPSBSZ3FTPSUT$BMJGPSOJB(SJMM3FTUBVSBOU 2XFTU$PNNVOJDBUJPOT 1PMZOFTJBO3FTPSUT0IBOB(SJMM 6OJWFSTBM4UVEJPT5PPO-BHPPO (IJSBEFMMJT$IPDPMBUF'BDUPSZ &QDPUT*OOPWFOUJPOT&BTUBOE8FTU &QDPUT$PSBM3FFG3FTUBVSBOU 8JEF8PSMEPG4QPSUT 1MFBTVSF*TMBOET3BJOGPSFTU$BGÏ 8JOOJFUIF1PPI 4FB8PSME"RVBUJDB #V[[-JHIUZFBS &QDPU4PBSJOh 5BNQB*DF1BMBDF #FMMB$PMMJOB(PMG$MVCIPVTF )PMMZXPPE4UVEJPT4PSDFSFST)BU $POTFSWBUPSZ(PMG$MVCIPVTF .JTTJPO4QBDF *SPO#SJEHF8BUFS5SFBUNFOU'BDJMJUZ 4FB8PSMET1FOHVJO&ODPVOUFS &QDPU.JUTVLPTIJ3FTUBVSBOU "OJNBM,JOHEPNT4BGBSJ7JMMBHF +PTUFOT$FOUFS 1MFBTVSF*TMBOE %JTOFZ*OGPSNBUJPO4FSWJDF$FOUFS#VJMEJOH 'MPSJEB4VODPBTU%PNF4UBEJVN 4UJUDIhT(SFBU&TDBQF 0SBOHF$PVOUZ$POWFOUJPO$FOUFS 5PZ4UPSZ.JEXBZ.BOJB "OJNBM,JOHEPNT%JOPTBVS 4QBDFTIJQ&BSUI3FIBC 4. Don’t go off the record. If possible, always stay “on the record” when talking to a journalist. Going off the record only creates dilemmas for the journalist and potential problems for you. You don’t have to offer any information that you do not want to offer, but you should never offer background information that you do not want to be attributed to you or your company. 5. Relax. A journalist will assume you have something to hide if you appear withdrawn or nervous, and this is an even more important consideration if you are doing a broadcast interview. Remember you are being given an opportunity to present your side of the story, so just relax and relay your thoughts. 6. Stay on message. Determine the key points you want to get across in the interview. Such as: “XYZ Construction has continued... 26 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 (407) 934-8084 WWW.ERMCOOFFLORIDA.COM 10450''*$&#09t%01&:%3*7&t-",&#6&/"7*45"'- PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE an outstanding record of safe, efficient, high-quality and cost-effective construction in this community. In addition, our employees are deeply involved in giving back to their community through volunteer service.” Regardless of the interviewer’s questions, continue to come back to these key points. Turn negative questions into positive responses. Never affirm the negative. If the journalist asks: “Does your firm have a disastrous safety record?”, do not reply: “No, our firm does not have a disastrous safety record.” In the public’s mind, it will register that your spokesperson mouthed the words, “our firm” and “disastrous safety record.” Instead, say something like “Our firm has a long record of safe, high quality construction. We are dedicated to a safe workplace, and are proud of our firm’s (involvement in national safety N b z c f ! j u Ö t ! b m m ! u i f ! m j u u m f ! d p v s u f t j f t ! u i b u ! j o t q j s f ! z p v s ! u s v t u /! programs, awards, manual, safety toolbox Nbzcf!juÖt!bo!beifsfodf!up!tdifevmft-!cvehfut-!boe!tuboebset!uibu!cpsefst!dpnqvmtjwf/! talks, etc.). Xibufwfs!uif!sfbtpo-! tpnfujnf!cfgpsf!uif!gjobm!qvodi!mjtu-!ju!pddvst!up!zpv/! Zp v Ö w f ! o f w f s ! i b e ! b ! q s p k f d u ! h p ! u i j t ! t n p p u i m z / “America’s Healthcare Builder” xxx/nkibssjt/dpn 7. Prepare. Anticipate the tough questions that the journalist may ask. Keep responses brief and positive. If there was a violation in the past, express regret and the steps that the firm put in place to eliminate this problem. Return quickly to your main point about the firm being a “better business” leader that is engaged in the local community. 8. Be positive and enthusiastic. Have an open face. You want to be perceived as the “good guy” that you are. Don’t appear on television with a scowl on your face. Don’t sound anxious or annoyed when talking with a reporter over the phone. 9. Reiterate your main point. Be repetitive. Be repetitive. Be repetitive. When you want to make the point that your firm is a good firm, a solid member of the local community with a great track record, keep coming back to that point. NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 27 PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Proud Winner of Four 2007 Eagle Awards Sending Out Press Releases The news release is the main vehicle by which you disseminate information about your company. New hires, new projects and awards won are all good subject material for news releases. The editors and journalists you are trying to reach must sift through many releases from many organizations. You want to make sure that your release is read and not thrown on the discard pile. Your release should be written and formatted as professionally as possible. Some basic guidelines: • • Your company should develop a letterhead template that includes the words “News Release” or “Press Release” at the top. This letterhead should also include the name of your key contact person, phone number, fax number and e-mail address. Your “lead” sentence should have a news angle to hook the editor and keep him reading. Ideally, it should also include your company name and an action taken on that day or another date certain. • Avoid flowery prose and overuse of adjectives—the editors or reporters reading your release don’t have time or inclination to try to figure out your point if it is not clear, and they are less likely to trust information that is clearly biased. Save the opinions for the quotes from your spokesperson. • Include plenty of quotes, because quotes are usually what journalists pick up from releases. The quote from your spokesperson is where you should include any information that is more opinion than fact. • Always be able to back up your statements and be sure of your facts. If you’re not sure of something, leave it out. • Make sure you include contact information so the editor/journalist can call if they have more questions. Journalists appreciate being kept informed. They need you as much as you need them. But remember: good media relations is based on relationships and trust. If you send out releases with erroneous information, you will lose credibility with the people you need to communicate your message to your “target audience.” 28 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 Disney’s All Star Resort Woody Icon Disney’s Nemo’s Disney’s Saratoga Springs Underseas Adventure Resort Exterior Paint Sea World Discovery Cove Photo OP (Not Pictured) In-House Capabilities Include: • Scenic & Flat Painting • Rockwork & Themed Plaster • Rough & Finished Carpentry • Drywall & Metal Studs • Show Set Installations • Fiber Cement Siding & FRP General Contractor • Orlando Tel 407.812.6616 • Fax 407.812.1521 • www.mivan.com Part of the Mivan Group, offering construction services worldwide. PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Creat News With Special Events Sometimes you can “create” news by staging a special event. Reporters are in the business of covering “news,” and an open house, ribbon-cutting ceremony or special activity are all the types of events reporters tend to cover because they involve action and occasionally even drama. On the other hand, you don’t want to throw the proverbial party to which no one comes. Make sure there is a reason for your event and that it has news value. What is news? Media scholar Kathleen Hall Jamieson says news is “the report of an event that happened or was disclosed within the previous 24 hours and treats an issue of ongoing concern.” This basic concept is the underpinning of what constitutes “news” and can inform your decisions about creating “happenings” likely to be covered by the press. Celebrating over 20 years of Commercial Roofing Excellence 1986-2008 New Roofs and reroofs Retail, Institutional, and Entertainment Projects Built-up, Single-Ply, Metal and Tile Roof Systems www.hartfordsouth.com Tel: (407) 857-9392 Fax: (407)859-2740 7326 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32809 Some tips: • Planning is key. If every last detail is not thought about and planned, things could go wrong, which could prove embarrassing if members of the press are in attendance. Plan your event far enough in advance so that you have adequate time to make arrangements and attend to every detail. • Alert the press. Send out a media advisory or news release telling reporters the details about your event: when, where, who, etc. Or, if you are having a social event, send them an invitation. A few days before the event is to occur, call the reporters to remind them about the event and ask them if they plan to come. Make sure you include reporters and editors from publications that specialize in covering the construction industry. • Keep them happy. At the event, make sure you introduce yourself to the reporters in attendance and make sure they have everything they need to write their story. you may want to have a media sign in sheet that leaves room for reporters to write their address and phone number. That way, you can reach them after the event if you need to. If there is food at your event, make sure the reporters are fed. NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 29 PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Crisis Communication What do you do when the worst happens and an accident or other crisis occurs at one of your jobsites? If not handled properly, the reputation of your company could be at stake. However, with proper planning and an appropriate response, a crisis doesn’t necessarily mean disaster in terms of your standing in the community and with your clients. The key is to develop a plan for responding to a crisis before the crisis occurs. In your planning process, try to consider several scenarios in which a crisis could occur and devise a plan to respond to each one. Decide who will be the spokesperson, what you will say, what you will do. This will enable you to respond quickly and appropriately when faced with a volatile situation. Realize that during a crisis, the media could be either your friend or foe, depending largely on how you respond and how you treat them. Try to build relationships with local journalists so they know you and your company long before a crisis occurs. That way, when the unexpected happens, a relationship already will be established. They will know your company and know what you do, and their story will likely reflect that. If a crisis does occur: • Appoint one individual to serve as a spokesperson. Having one spokesperson prevents conflicting messages from being communicated to the media and avoids confusion in identifying who has the authority to say what. • Be honest and forthright in what you say. It is better to acknowledge that a mistake has been made and explain what you are doing to address the problem than to try to cover it up. If you are not sure of something or don’t know the answer, say so. • Do not say “No comment.” It makes you look evasive and defensive and breeds hostility among reporters. If you cannot comment on something, explain why. • Make sure all key personnel are able to stay in touch via cellular phone at all times and give reporters a way to reach your spokesperson after hours. 30 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 10 Reasons To Buy A 1. Buying from Mullinax is as easy as ABC. 2. Large selection of vehicles (over 1,200 at all times). 3. Can serve both your business and personal needs. 4. Free delivery anywhere in the state of Florida. 5. Commercial lending services for purchases or leases. 6. You can shop from your office, we come to you. 7. Saturday service to keep you on the road. 8. Vans, utility body, KUV’s, flatbeds and chasis in inventory at all times. 9. Never any dealer fees - EVER! 10. Convenient location (on 436 in Apopka). Commercial Account Manager: Sean Wilson Toll Free: (888) 598-2801 Ext. 2102 E-mail: sean.wilson@mullinaxfordfl.com 1551 East Semoran Blvd. l Apopka, FL 32703 l www.MullinaxFord.com (Click on commercial vehicles) PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Corporate Public Relations National presence... Local success Michael Parks mparks@hoarllc.com 407.650.8100 SODO Orlando, Florida www.hoarllc.com Celebrating 30 Years of Quality, Dependability & Experience Tools Good public relations is more than just working with the media. It is a comprehensive strategy that involves creating a positive image of your company with your clients, employees and community. All of your materials and communications—printed materials, correspondence and discussions with clients, subcontractors and employees—contribute to your company’s reputation and image. As a result, you should be careful that your are consistent in delivering your message in all that you say and do, via the printed and spoken word. Brochures, newsletters and Internet Web sites all can be used to enhance your firm’s reputation. Creating a newsletter You may want to develop a corporate newsletter to send to business associates and clients. A corporate newsletter essentially becomes a marketing tool as it enables you to show off your company in your own words to potential clients and can raise your company’s profile in the community. A good company newsletter can also put a human “face” behind your company. A letter from the company president or profiles of company employees in each issue can help your various “publics” get to know you better—publics who may be more inclined to use your services as a result. A company newsletter can also build morale and a “team” mindset in your most important asset—your employees. Some Things To Consider: Specializing In: • Lath • Portland Cement Plaster • Exterior Insulation Finish Systems • Polystyrene Shapes • Cast Stone Tel: (352) 343-8199 Fax: (352) 343-9179 15841 Old Highway 441Tavares, Florida 32778 • Nameplate. The nameplate at the top of the front page sets the tone for the newsletter and should look appealing and professional. Remember: More is not always better. Don’t overwhelm your front page with multiple fonts and complicated graphics. Sometimes simplicity works best. To get ideas, look at some newsletters that you think work well. • Size and length. Determine the size and format with which you are most comfortable, but keep in mind that most newsletters are printed in an 8 1/2” x 11” or 11” x 17” size. Generally speaking, it is most continued on page 30 NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 31 PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE cost effective to print a newsletter with page counts which are multiples of four. A basic sheet of press paper folds down into what printers call a “signature”—which consists of four or eight pages when folded down to size and trimmed. By containing your newsletter to one or more full signatures, you are assuring yourself of the most economical usage of the printer’s press, which translates into lower reproduction costs. Other page counts can be used, but they may cost your extra. • • Columns. You will generally want to divide your layouts into columns, which lend structure to the newsletter and make it easier to read. Again, look at some newsletters that you think have attractive layouts to determine whether they are divided into two, three, four, five or other column formats. Fonts. Generally, for body text you will want to use serif fonts—fonts that have slight curvatures at the tops and bottoms—like Times Roman, New Baskerville (ABC Today type font), Palatino, or Bookman. For headlines, you will generally use a “sans serif” font such as Franklin Gothic or Helvetica. Body type should be 10-12 point sized. • Color. A full, four-color newsletter can be an expensive proposition. On the other hand, a plain black and white newsletter can look dull. You can bring a newsletter to life by adding one to two “spot” colors. Also, consider using a percentage of a color (such as 10 percent black or blue) behind boxed text —this is called a “screen”—to add more variety to your pages. However, make sure you run your photos in either black and white or full four-color. You don’t want to make the mistake of running a photo in all red or all blue ink (Imagine your company president with a bright red face!). Stick with black ink for text and photos and a second color for headlines, screens, logos, etc., and you’ll be able to produce a sharp looking newsletter with no problems. • Photos. Use as many as you can in your newsletter to break up boring pages full of type. But make sure that the photos are of good quality so that they will reproduce well. A good camera is worthwhile investment. Photos really add to the interest value of your publication. Remember, people love to see pictures of themselves and their friends. continued on page 31 32 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 When you work with Volvo Rents, you can expect: • The expertise of a local owner • A full range of top-quality, name-brand rental equipment for homeowners and businesses • On-time delivery of your equipment, every time • Emergency service that’s there for you whenever you need it It all adds up to one very special thing that no one else can offer: More care. In every rental. Orlando (407) 384-8200 Melbourne (321) 728-0110 Lakeland (863) 683-6907 An independently owned Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc.franchise Building Relationships From The Ground Up. Commercial & Residential • Foundations • Flat Work • Slabs • CIP Walls • Columns • Tie Beams • Brick & Stone www.grgstructures.com t. (407) 858-5444 f. (407) 859-2159 mcgraw_2008bw.pdf 2/18/2008 1046 Citrus Street • Orlando, FL 32805 GC License No. 1512353 • MBE Certified 2:46:17 PM How Many Times Have You Felt Like This? Bid due by 10:00 AM Time wasted due to lack of updated plans, specs or addenda Loss of revenue and liability due to incorrect bid Let McGraw-Hill Construction show you how Project Document Manager (PDM) can manage your bids, documents and save your bottom line. For more information call or email Angela Martin at: 813-787-0783, angela_martin@mcgraw-hill.com PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE • Computer software. Any format beyond one to two columns should be done in a desktop publishing software package, such as PageMaker or QuarkXPress. These packages allow you to custom design your publication with as many columns and graphic elements you want. Other software packages can be used, but PageMaker and Quark are the most frequently used by designers and printers. Additionally, computer and printing technology have evolved to the point that you can give your printer everything it needs on a computer disk; many printers no longer need “camera-ready” pages. Talk with your printer representative to determine how he or she would like to receive your publication. Developing a company brochure You are your own strongest advocate. Many of America’s most successful construction companies have a brochure or packet that describes the company’s identity, successes and mission. This can be a vital tool to include as a part of a packet to clients. The brochure does not need to be complicated. A few simple points, well-stated and illustrated with appealing art, will go a long way toward communicating the message you wish to convey. Brevity is key. A good photo of a successful project or photos of key personnel can get your message across much more powerfully than paragraphs of text. You may want to work with a professional designer to develop the brochure, since it will be your primary company “showpiece.” Look up designers and service bureaus in the yellow pages and ask for samples of their work. They can help you decide the parameters for your brochure and give you an estimate on how much it will cost to design and print. Or, an in-house public relations or marketing manager, if you have one, could develop the brochure. continued on page 32 www.construction.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 33 PUBLIC RELATIONS GUIDE Some recommended contents of a company brochure: • Company mission statement; • The company’s vision for the future and pledge to clients; • Introduction and company history; • Company officers, photographs and biographies; • Photographs and profiles of significant projects completed by the company • Quotes from letters from satisfied clients • Details about your firm’s safety program, safety statistics and information on any safety awards, etc., by the company; • Photographs and profiles of community service projects completed by the company; • Quotes from letters of appreciation for community service; • Quotes from articles or profiles written about the company; • Information on employee training and benefits along with any awards won by employees for craftsmanship, etc.; • Information on any special programs such as ABC’s Accredited Quality Contractor program, Platinum Safety program and other trade association participation by your firm; • Letters of support for your firm from area leaders/groups. Creating a Web presence Hire a professional. There was advice here, but we’ve removed it for your benefit. The internet has become one of the first contacts your client will have with your company. Many people search the internet before flipping open the phone book. Do not hire your nephew, or a friend that read a book. Hire someone that understands design, coding, and search engine optimization. If your nephew or friend is a professional, that’s another story. 34 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 ABC NEWSLINE C O N S T R U C T I O N C O M PA N Y Specializing in the construction of Healthcare, Educational, Industrial, and Multi-family facilities throughout the Southeast ABC COMMENTS ON FAVORABLE IRS PROPOSED CONTRACTOR RULE ABC Nov. 3 filed comments with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expressing overall support for a proposed rule that reverses a long-standing agency position limiting how construction contractors can use the completed contract method (CCM) of accounting. Building Lasting Relationships Orlando | Atlanta | Birmingham | Nashville www.dosterconstruction.com An ISO 9001:2000 Registered Company 8529 South Park Circle, Suite 130 Orlando, Florida 32819 407.248.9961 Phone 407.248.9971 Fax CONNECTING WITH OUR CLIENTS SINCE 1976 Currently, IRS takes the position that contractors performing work on a residential project should not use the more favorable CCM depending on whether the property owner is structured as a homebuilder or a developer. However, the IRS has proposed an amendment to the Income Tax Regulations (REG-120844-07 Rule for Home Construction Contracts), that would allow contractors to qualify for the home construction contract exception regardless of how the property owner is structured. The IRS is contemplating additional rules that could impact all contractors, not only those working on residential construction. In its comments, ABC expressed support for the proposed rule, but cautioned the IRS against adopting language that would negatively affect the use of the more favorable method of tax reporting by subcontractors in future rules. In addition, ABC expressed support for the IRS’s intention to implement a provision that would treat condominium units the same as rowhouses or townhomes for tax reporting purposes. ABC also noted that the IRS should consider transition relief and implement these rules sooner than the proposed effective date, which will be the tax year after the final rule is published, likely not until 2010. ABC and the Construction Financial Management Association have been working on this issue since 2005 when they joined together to request that the IRS consider this issue through the agency’s Industry Issue Resolution (IIR) program. ABC is continuing to monitor the progress of the proposed rule and will testify before the IRS during a Dec. 5 hearing in Washington, D.C. (407)859-8801 For more information, contact Rich Shavell at Shavell & Company, P.A., rich@shavell.net or Bob Hirsch at ABC, hirsch@abc.org. NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 35 WORKERS COMPENSATION RATE OIR Issues Order on Florida Workers Compensation Rate Filing Based upon its annual review of the most recent data available, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposed an overall workers compensation rate level decrease of 14.1% for the voluntary market industrial classes effective January 1, 2009. On October 15, 2008, the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) issued an order requesting that NCCI make an amended filing for an overall workers compensation rate level decrease of 18.6%. There are two areas which account for the difference of 4.5%: 1. Trend* The OIR states that a -4% medical trend and a -8.2% indemnity trend should be included instead of NCCI’s proposed -3% medical trend and -7% indemnity trend. The rate impact of the difference is 2.7%. 2. Profit and Contingency Provision The OIR states that the profit and contingency provision should be increased from -0.8% to +1%. NCCI had proposed increasing the profit and contingency provision to 2.5%. The rate impact of the difference between +1% and +2.5% is 1.8%. In addition, the order states that in response to roofing industry testimony at the rate hearing, the decrease to the roofing code shall be limited to 9.8% instead of 23%. The OIR’s order requested that NCCI amend its filing by November 1, 2008. NCCI also has the option to appeal. NCCI is currently in the process of reviewing the order and making a decision on how to respond. *When past data is to be used as a predictor of future losses (in the case of this rate filing, accident years 06 and 07 are used to project losses for 09), loss data must be adjusted or “trended” to account for changes in costs (such as inflationary pressures) between the time period of the historical data (06 and 07) and the period when the rates will be in effect (09). In addition to reflecting inflationary pressures, it would encompass expected changes in: the frequency of claims, the types of claims that are occurring, and the average size of claims. 36 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www. SEPTEMBER 29 GOLF TOURNAMENT Tuscawilla Country Club Winner First Flight, First Place BERGELECTRIC Winner Second Flight, First Place BAKER CONCRETE Winner Third Flight, First Place CRANE RENTAL CORPORATION Tournament Sponsors www.abccentralflorida.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 37 OCTOBER RENEWALS A C Development Group, Inc. A.D. Owens Construction Corp. A.K. Holcomb Construction, Inc. Able Body Labor Acousti Engineering Company of FL Action Bolt and Tool Company Advanced Van & Truck Equipment, Inc. Ajax Building Corporation Alex-Cor, Inc. Alliance Solutions Group Allstate Steel Company Amerisure Insurance APG Electric, Inc. Automated Building Control Systems AXSA Engineering Products B & B Interior Systems Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC BB&T Burkey Risk Services Bedrock Industries Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc. Bouchard Insurance Bovis Lend Lease Bright Future Electric, LLC Broad and Cassel Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. Bull & Associates, P.A. C & C Concrete Pumping, Inc. Capform, Inc. Carr Riggs & Ingram LLC, Carter Electric Co., Inc. CCK Construction Services, Inc. CDC News Central Florida Fire Protection Central Florida Store Services, Inc. Certified Slings and Supply Charles Perry Construction, Inc. CNA Surety Coastal Mechanical Services, LLC Collins Construction and Company, LLC Color Wheel Commercial Millworks, Inc. Common Sense Office Furniture Concepts In Greenery, Inc. Contemporary Construction Services Continental Electrical Co. of Florida, Inc. CQ Insulation, Inc. Crane Rental Corporation Cuhaci & Peterson Architects D & A Building Services, Inc. D & B Tile Distributors D & D Smith Constructors, LLC Daisy Fresh Commercial Cleaning, Inc. Deatrick Engineering Associates, Inc. Detail Dynamics, Inc. Dew Glass, Inc. DHR/Shumate Mechanical Services-Orlando, Inc. Dixie Metal Products, Inc. Don Reid Ford Dora Landscaping Company Dr. Phillips, Inc. Dura-Stress, Inc. Eagle Fire Protection, Inc. East Coast Fire Protection Economy Electric Company Edwards Construction Services, Inc. EE&G Environmental Services, LLC 38 Eldeco, Inc. Ellis Mechanical Corp. Encore Construction Co., Inc. Energy Air, Inc. Enterprise Electric, LLC ERMCO of Florida Exterior Walls, Inc. Ferran Services & Contracting Finfrock Construction, Inc. Flamingo Construction Works, Inc. Florida Business Interiors Florida Rock Industries, Central Florida Florida Surety Bonds Ford & Harrison, LLP Ford of Clermont Garrard Carpentry, Inc. Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation Graybar Electric Co., Inc. Grunau Company, Inc. Guignard Company H.J. High Construction Company Hank Lowry Electric, Inc. Hardin Construction Company, LLC Harper Limbach LLC Hartford South, LLC Hayes & Caraballo, P.L. Heintzelman’s Truck Center Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. Hensel Phelps Construction Company HGR Construction, Inc. High Reach 2 Huckleberry, Sibley & Harvey Ins. & Bonds, Inc. Hudson Everly Commercial Flooring, Inc. International Flooring, Inc. Ivey’s Construction, Inc. J. A. Croson, LLC J. Raymond Construction Corp. J. Tufford & Associates Construction James A. Cummings, Inc. JMHC, Inc. Just Concrete and Masonry, Inc. Kelly Electric, LLC KENPAT USA LLC KHS&S Contractors Lake Glass & Mirror, Inc. Lake Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Lovett-Silverman Construction Consultants, Inc. Lynch Oil Company, Inc. M.J. Harris, Inc. Mateer & Harbert, P.A. Met-Con, Inc. Michael C. Sasso, P.A. Morton Electric, Inc. Mullinax Ford MWI Pump Rental Network Cabling Services Nielson, Mosholder & Associates Normax Mechanical, Inc. Notice to Owner of Florida, Inc. NOVA Engineering and Environmental, LLC Orlando Business Journal Palmer Electric Company Pebble Junction, Inc. PECE of Mind Perfection Architectural Systems, Inc. Pertree Constructors, Inc. BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www.abccentralflorida.com Pooley Enterprises, Inc. Power Pro-Tech Services PPI Construction Management Precision Balance, Inc. ProFast Supply Progressive Plumbing, Inc. Quality Metals, Inc. R.F. Lusa & Sons Sheetmetal Reading Plumbing Systems, Inc. Rew Materials Orlando, LLC Reynolds, Smith & Hills CS, Inc. Roto Rooter Services Company Royal Electric Company of Central Florida, Inc. S.A.M. Drywall, Inc. S.I. Goldman Company, Inc. Salvador Construction, Inc. Scherer Construction & Engineering Seretta Construction, Inc. Shutts & Bowen, LLP SIKON Construction Corporation Sinns & Thomas Electrical Contractors SiteSecure SMI Cabinetry, Inc. Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment Southern Acoustics, Inc. Southern Atlantic Electric Company, Inc. Southern Fire Protection of Orlando Southmost Drywall Spectrum Fire & Security Stahl, Bowles & Associates, Inc. Starmer Ranaldi Planning and Architecture Steve Black Construction, Inc. Stone Age Pavers, Inc. Summit Electrical Supply Sunbelt Metals & Mfg., Inc. Sundance Architectural Products, LLC Sunshine Roofing and Consulting, LLC Swell Construction Synergy Group SE, LLC T & T Construction of Central Florida Tatro Construction Co. LLC Terry’s Electric, Inc. Tharp Plumbing Systems The Blue Book of Building & Construction The Cat Rental Store, A Division of Ring Power The Evans Group The Morganti Group, Inc. The Page Insurance Agency Tilt Con Corporation Tri-City Electrical Contractors, Inc. United Electrical Contractors, Inc. Vanson Enterprises, Inc. W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company Walker & Company Walt Disney Imagineering Florida Waste Management West Star Interiors, Inc. Westbrook Service Corporation WhiteCap Construction Supply of Florida Wiginton Fire Systems Willis Construction Consulting, Inc. Window Interiors Winter Park Construction Wood Company, Inc. ZFI Engineering & Construction, Inc. FALL LUNCHTIME BARBECUE Photos by Macbeth Aerial & Commercial Photography www.macbethaerial.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 39 O C TO B E R M E M B E R R E C E P T I O N www.construction.com 40 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 www.abccentralflorida.com www.hoarllc.com Photos by Macbeth Aerial & Commercial Photography | www.macbethaerial.com LETTER FROM NATIONAL ABC Dear ABC Members, Chapter and National Staff, This past Tuesday, our country experienced a watershed, historic event. An African American was elected our president, and the way we think about ourselves and our country has been forever changed. Much has been made about the undeniable importance of this to African Americans, but this historic event is of great significance to all Americans. The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States through our uniquely American democratic process is a true mark of real change. I grew up in the South, and while I don’t think of myself as “ancient,” I do remember riding the bus in Danville, Virginia, knowing that the black folks had to sit in the back of the bus while I sat up front chatting with the driver. I remember the Danville Greyhound bus station with its two ticket stations, one for whites and one for “colored.” I remember going to my uncle’s house in South Carolina, and stopping at a gas station on the way. The station had three rest rooms—one for Men, one for Women, and one for “Coloreds.” Never would I have imagined then that my country would one day elect an African American as president. I am thrilled that these long-institutionalized prejudices have eroded to the point where a majority of men and women in this great nation of ours -- not just black men and women, but a strong majority -- can freely elect a black man as president. That being said, our challenge rests not with the man, but with the policies he has advocated for as a U.S. Senator, as well as during his presidential campaign. For those of us in the merit shop construction industry, the challenges of an Obama presidency will be huge. While a Senator, Obama accumulated the most liberal voting record in the Senate. And the promises that he made to organized labor during his campaign are a threat to free enterprise and open competition. Your leadership at ABC national and I are determined to develop a comprehensive strategy that will allow us to work with the Democratic leadership without abandoning the principles we hold so dear. This will not be an easy task, but to continue to do business as we have done in the past will do little more than to ensure that we are completely marginalized in the years ahead. Early actions in an Obama administration will most likely include the repeal of Executive Order 13202, which bans federal project labor agreements, as well as a push for the inappropriately named Employee Free Choice Act, or EFCA. Many materials have already been developed to assist you in educating your employees and your publicly elected officials on the folly of this bill, which would eliminate the use of private-ballot elections in the workplace. I am heartened that the Democrats, while holding a majority of the seats in the Senate, do not have the votes to override a Republican filibuster if they should choose to mount one. Our job will be to ensure that this is the case. Fireh Fire house #1 - City off O Orl rland do Designed for LEED Certification There will be opportunities for us to work together across the aisle on many pressing issues in the areas of workforce development, green building, energy-related construction, infrastructure needs, etc. We will be working diligently here in Washington to make sure that your voice and the voices of your employees are heard with those in power whom we don’t normally think of as our allies. In closing, America has just gone through a major sea change in the shift of power. Some of that change is heartening. And we will approach the new administration with the hope that President-elect Obama is genuine when he says that he will govern from the center. Only time will tell. Sincerely, M. Kirk Pickerel, CAE President and CEO Construction Management Green Building Services Design-Build General Contracting Building Solutions for a Sustainable Future www.abccentralflorida.com NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 41 NEW MEMBERS All Florida Staffing David Swann 2111 Garden Street Titusville, FL 32796 T: (321) 269-6700 F: (321) 269-5599 E: dswann@allfloridastaffing.com W: www.allfloridastaffing.com Supplier, Staff Leasing Bayside Staffing Renee Rodriguez P.O. Box 1530 Lutz, FL 33548 T: (813) 948-8157 F: (813) 948-0278 E: reneerodriguez@baysidestaffing.com Supplier, Staff Leasing Georgia Mechanical, Inc. Russell Hendershot 624 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1406 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 T: (407) 788-7877 F: (407) 788-7259 E: rhendershot@georgiamechanical.com W: www.georgiamechanical.com $500,000-$1,000,000 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Gold Coast Equipment Joe Fadden P.O. Box 4938 Ocala, FL 34478 T: (352) 369-5438 F: (352) 732-8906 E: jfadden@gcequipment.com W: www.gcequipment.com Supplier, Equipment Rental ing & Company, LLC Harkins Development Corporation Fred Metz 707 Monroe Road Sanford, FL 32771 T: (407) 323-9310 F: (407) 323-1993 E: fredm@harkinsdevelopment.com W: www.harkinsdevelopment.com $15,000,000-$20,000,000 General Contractor: Industrial & Commercial Development, Health Care Facilities/Services, Interior Finish, Tenant Finish, Construction Manager, Commercial, Design/Build, Pre Engineered Buildings, Retail, Industrial, Institutional “Customer service is our business” Think J King & Company for all your interior and exterior finishing needs 407-891-2221 r fax 407-891-2224 42 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA NOVEMBER 2008 NEW MEMBERS HD Supply Plumbing Blake Thomas 3881 Old Winter Garden Road Orlando, FL 32805 T: (407) 893-9184 F: (866) 843-1290 E: bthomas@hdsupply.com W: www.hdsupply.com Supplier, Plumbing Suppliers Saxonis Painting & Reconstruction, Inc. Kay Fitzsimmons 447 Lake Howell Road Maitland, FL 32751 T: (407) 834-0031 F: (407) 834-3876 E: Business.Development@saxonispainting.com W: www.saxonispainting.com $1,000,000-$3,000,000 Painting and Wall Coverings Drywall, Wall coverings, Paint Removal, Special Coatings Winter Park Blue 7HICHPIECESOFTHEPUZZLEISYOURBUSINESSMISSING 0UTALLOFTHEPIECESTOGETHERFORACOMPLETEPICTUREOFYOURBUSINESS-AKE ACCURATEDECISIONSTOCONTROLYOURCOSTS-AXIMIZEYOURREVENUES3OFTWARE SOLUTIONSREPRESENTEDBY!LLIANCE3OLUTIONS'ROUPHELPYOURBUSINESSTO s0ROVIDE!CCURATE%STIMATES s4RACK0ROJECT#OMMUNICATIONS s3IMPLIFY#HANGE/RDERS s#REATE#USTOM2EPORTS%ASILY s%LIMINATE$UPLICATE$ATA%NTRY s-ANAGE#LIENT2ELATIONSHIPS Barry Wright P.O. Box 940959 Maitland, FL 32794-0959 T: (407) 647-3034 F: (407) 647-3312 E: bwright@wpblue.com W: www.wpblue.com Supplier, Copiers & Reproduction Services If you would like to recommend someone for membership, please contact our membership director, Cheryl Bovio at cbovio@ abccentralflorida.org or call her direct at 407-398-1278 !LLIANCE3OLUTIONS'ROUP 9OUR&INANCIAL/PERATIONS 3OFTWARE3PECIALISTIN&LORIDA &ORMOREINFORMATIONCONTACT!LLIANCE3OLUTIONS'ROUP ATORVISITWWWALLIANCESGCOM !LLIANCE3OLUTIONS'ROUPISAPROUDMEMBEROF!"# NOVEMBER 2008 BUILDING CENTRAL FLORIDA 43 The short answer is no. Palmer Electric is a full-service electrical contractor with 56 years of experience. We employ a powerful workforce that can deliver commercial, residential and multi-family contracting, as well as 24-hour electrical service and the finest lighting fixtures available at our Showcase Lighting (showcase-lighting.com) retail store. So, get plugged-in to Palmer and put us to work on your next project, no matter what type of wiring you need. 651 Danville Drive, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32825-6391 Kissimmee Winter Park 407-846-8873 407-646-8700 www.palmer-electric.com PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ORLANDO, FL PERMIT NO. 150

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