LOOKING FORWARD TO FALL

By: Bryan Knost, ABC Pelican Chairman

We are a little more than halfway through the year, and the Pelican Chapter is soaring just as the temperatures in Louisiana are. With tremendous dedication from board members and staff, we are powering through our most recent strategic plan, having completed, or almost completed more than half of the strategic initiatives, with plans to complete more before the year ends.

Since January, ABC Pelican has welcomed 27 new members, with the help of the Membership Growth Committee. Both the Baton Rouge and Southwest Training Centers have safely educated nearly 1,400 students. Some of these students were recognized at the fall 2022 and spring 2023 graduation ceremony. Students received certificates of completion in crafts, such as, welding, millwright, electrical, instrumentation, mobile crane, heavy equipment operator and planning and scheduling on June 22, 2023, at L’Auberge Baton Rouge.

Along with our successes at the Training Centers, ABC Pelican has helped keep over 40 companies safe through the ABC STEP program, welcomed 100 rising leaders into the 2023 Young Professionals Group and hosted numerous networking and educational events. I will also note, most of these networking and educational events have been very well attended events, some completely sold out.

These accomplishments would not have happened without the participation and commitment of our incredible membership. Your dedication and effort do not go unnoticed. Looking forward to the fall, tailgates, football and of course more chances for you to get involved at ABC Pelican. Both Training Centers have kicked off their fall semesters and the calendar is full of events (visit www.abcpelican. org/events/html to view the calendar) – fishing tournaments, golf tournaments, and more!

Maybe most importantly, Careers in Construction Month is approaching (October).

Each October ABC Pelican and ABC Bayou invite over 1,000 students from local high schools to Lamar Dixon for Build Your Future Day, to celebrate Careers in Construction Month. Contractors and other industry professionals are invited to showcase their skills to the next generation of the construction industry. If your company has not already been a part of this event, I highly encourage you to consider it – it is a great opportunity to inform the next generation of the benefits a career in construction can offer.

The upcoming elections will deem October a busy month. ABC of Louisiana Lobbyist, Carson, has been meeting with potential candidates to determine who we will support in the upcoming election season. Carson will continue to keep our members informed throughout the election process.

As always, ABC Pelican will continue to work side-by-side with our members to advance the cause of open and fair competition, create invaluable opportunities for our members to connect and sustain strong business relationships, and develop and educate the next generation of craft professionals.