The 2015 LMCI Finishing Industries Forum is Underway

On Monday, December 7, the 2015 LMCI Finishing Industries Forum kicked off in Las Vegas with remarks from the co-chairs of the Labor Management Cooperation Initiative (LMCI), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Kenneth Rigmaiden and Finishing Contractors International Chair Mike Cassidy.  

The three-day annual event features speakers, workshops and presentations on issues and data that drive the construction industry. This meeting gives IUPAT contractors, end-users and union leaders the opportunity to meet together to share best practices and find the solutions to expand our market share in our industries, while growing the IUPAT workforce at the same time.

On Monday, speakers included Sean McGarvey, president of North America's Building Trades Unions and an IUPAT member.  He outlined the goals and priorities of the national Building Trades.  "Our focus is on efforts to retain and grow our market share in the construction industry," McGarvey said.  Those efforts span across the fronts of political affairs, local community action and strategic industry partnerships.

The attendees on Monday also heard an economic report from Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Sage Policiy Group. His company provides economic consulting in various industries, including construction. He presented data to the attendees on key aspects of economic life, including trends characterizing financial, real estate, energy and labor markets.

Other speakers are to follow through Wednesday, as well as a panel discussion on how young leaders are on the rise in the construction industry and what they are concentrating on to expand market share and build a better bottom line in business.