Clemson’s Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development celebrates Ninth Annual Construction Symposium

On October 17, 2024, more than 150 construction industry professionals gathered with Clemson University faculty and students at the Greenville Marriott for the Ninth Annual Construction Symposium, organized by the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development. The event, sponsored by Carolina Power, provided advantages for professionals and students alike.

"It lets us know what the corporate partners are expecting from graduating students, so it's a really great way to network and to keep up to date with industry and academia altogether," said Radhika Soni, a graduate student pursuing her Master of Construction Science and Management degree.

The program featured multiple presentations and panel discussions, each centered on the theme of risk management. Paul Hogan, President of Hogan Construction Group and a member of the Department's Corporate Partners Program, organized the days' presentations.

"It's important for people to understand if they're into this business the risk that they take on; how they mitigate that risk and how to be successful with that risk so that they can make a profit and continue their business," Hogan explained. "I think we had great feedback, and I think it was obvious from all the questions that were asked of each of the speakers at each of the panels."

The keynote address was delivered by Ken Stockdell of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, where he serves as Director of Project and Program Management. His 40-year career as an architect has been dedicated to the planning, design and construction of convention centers around the world.

Ken Stockdell, Director of Projects and Program Management at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, delivers the keynote address at the Ninth Annual Construction Symposium.

"I can't say enough to thank Ken and all of our panelists for making the Symposium informative and engaging," said Associate Department Chair Dhaval Gajjar. "Their participation, along with the support of our sponsors, continues to make the symposium the highlight of the year for our department."

Following Stockdell's keynote address, the day featured three panel discussions.

The first, "Construction Business Risk," featured panelists Bruce Collins of Rosemont Holdings, Mike Burnett of Holder Construction, and Joe Alcock of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. The second, "Project Execution Risk," featured panelists Bradley Robinson of SteelFab Inc., Larry Holmes of Greybar Electrical, and Shanna Patton of Kudzu Staffing. The final panel, "Construction Risk Management: Legal Implications," was a discussion between Jennifer Westmoreland and West Williams of American Global and Benjamin Rachelson of the law firm of Adams and Reese.

Soni noted that her biggest takeaway from the day's presentations was that risk is shared by all of the partners in a construction project.

"It's safe to say risk management can be treated as a different topic altogether," she said.

"It's so valuable for our students to be able to listen in on discussions that represent all sides of the construction industry," Gajjar said. "Letting them hear deep conversations from industry professionals adds a dimension to their educational experience that they can't get through classroom instruction alone."

In addition to exclusive event sponsor Carolina Power, The Ninth Annual Construction Symposium was supported by VIP level sponsorships from Great Southern Homes, Hogan Construction, Frampton Construction, Alliant, Eldeco, Adams and Reese LLP, and Clary Hood Inc. Additional sponsors included Lithko Contracting LLC, the Roofing Alliance, Carroll Daniel Construction, Sea Island Land Development, Harper General Contractors, Thompson Turner Construction, SC Steel, Robins & Morton, ARCO Design/Build, Holder Construction, JM Cope Construction and America's Home Place.

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