The surety industry had another good year in 2012, but it’s important to take a deeper look at the numbers. The President of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) will present an update of the surety industry and what lies ahead! After participating in this session, you will be able to:

• Describe the current surety market and its capacity, including the overall patterns of contract losses incurred and profitability in the past 50 years
• Identify steps to take in order to maintain and secure surety credit
• Recognize steps to take to protect your company from fraud and investigate and verify a bond and a surety company
• Describe and differentiate the surety industry’s principal concerns when underwriting small, mid-sized, and large contractors
• Identify recent trends in legislation that threaten the surety product and the protections that it offers taxpayers

This session will take an in-depth look at the CFMA/ABC 2012 IT Survey. We will examine the results, identify the trends, and interpret the meaning of some of the key metrics. Upon completion of this session, you will be able to:
• Identify those metrics that lead to improved IT performance
• Explain what your company can do to meet or exceed those metrics

CFMA’s Economic Advisor, Anirban Basu, returns for an analysis of the economy’s nascent expansion and sustainability – with a special focus on the performance of the global economy, the local and U.S. economies, financial markets, labor markets, real estate, and other salient aspects of the economic environment. He will also provide an economic outlook for the year to come on both a national and local level.

Many construction companies that have survived the past five years of this down market are likely already feeling lean – nothing but skin and bones! This session will enable you to:
• Describe how the use of lean contracting techniques enhances revenue
• Identify the importance of reducing expenses while adding value
• Define the financial professional’s role in continuous operations improvement
• Identify how these techniques can be applied in your own organization to achieve improved results

This session will focus on the current state of and outlook for federal, state, and local capital budgets. You will gain insight on the impact of the current legislative environment on highway and capital projects funding and the construction industry. Special attention will also be given to the economic outlook and forecast for highway, power, and other non-building sectors. The Q&A session will provide an opportunity to have your specific questions and concerns answered and clarified.

Your company has invested in shaping a talented team to drive profitability, promote its culture, and set an example for others. But what happens when key leaders leave? Attend this session to learn how your company can maintain its competitiveness and culture by establishing a well-defined succession plan.

This session will present tips, tools, and best practices for how to keep your e-mail under control and streamline your communications productivity (specifically for Outlook 2010). You will leave this session able to describe:
• Measuring e-mail productivity
• Mobile-friendly e-mail
• How to apply interoffice e-mail tips
• Socializing e-mail
• How to schedule meetings outside of Outlook
• Shortcuts and settings
• Third-party power tools

Flying solo? You might think so. But take a good look around: You have support staff and managers; you have suppliers, vendors, and distributors; and you have colleagues, family members, and significant others. In today’s super-charged, highly competitive world of rapid and constant change, those who build trust and work as a team will dodge the missiles and win.

Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, “The Wingman,” overcame a lifelong battle with claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a combat decorated Air Force fighter pilot and highly successful businessman, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. His motto is “Winners Never Fly Solo!” Through his captivating personal stories and high-energy videos, learn how you, like a fighter pilot, can succeed in highly competitive and demanding environments.

Discover how to prepare diligently for every mission; employ loyal wingmen to promote integrity and mutual support; and lead your team with courage, compassion, and conviction. You will be inspired to take to the skies knowing that you have wingmen to help you face challenges and change with confidence, while maximizing your potential in all aspects of your life.