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The Pacific Northwest chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors recently held its annual Construction Industry Summit at the Oregon Convention Center. Contractors and industry professionals of various sizes involved in many trades and market niches came together to discuss the state of the industry, learn about important topics and look inside the crystal ball for insights into our industry’s future. What we heard was encouraging.

Experts in the design and real estate community spoke optimistically about the road ahead. New projects continue to appear on the horizon, investors are opening their wallets again, and the pipeline continues to fill up. These forward-looking indicators are important. While many economic data points are providing us with mixed messages, I always take optimism (or pessimism) from design professionals as the best indicator.

We also heard a lot from contractors looking to reinvest in things like training and continuing education, and ways to take themselves and their employees to the next level. Not unlike how investment by owners and real estate investors froze for a few years, many contractors had to focus their spending on their most basic and immediate needs. Contractors scaled back and focused on survival. Today they are again asking for opportunities to invest in the tools that will carry them forward.

Contractors also expressed a lot of support for new workforce development efforts that our organization is undertaking. From $3,500 in scholarships that were presented to four high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in construction and design disciplines, to new initiatives that create exciting partnerships with local high schools, there is renewed passion to once again fill our industry’s need with a pipeline of future leaders.

What does this all mean? It means that the industry should expect more opportunity in the coming months and year. And those opportunities will be multi-pronged. They mean a continued strengthening within the construction industry, as well more robust options and offerings for professionals looking to grow and better themselves. Also, these opportunities should result in making the industry more engaged with our future workforce.

As one attendee at the summit said to me at the awards dinner honoring top projects, “It feels good to see all the project submissions. Not only were they great projects, but it is nice to see contractors engaging and investing again.”

I take that as a light at the end of the tunnel – and it is getting brighter.

Laurie Kendall is president of the Associated Builders and Contractors’ Pacific Northwest chapter. Contact her at 503-598-0620 or at [email protected].