ABC Florida Gulf Coast hosted over 60 events in the first half of 2026 — and the Gulf Coast construction market kept pace with each of them.

In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, President & CEO Steve Cona III and Executive Vice President Laura Gross recap the first half of the year: the events, the workforce demand, the construction boom across Southwest Florida, and what ABC is doing to make sure members have everything they need to keep growing.

They cover the apprenticeship program, superintendent and PM training, the STEP safety program, and what longtime members already know - ABC is a partner in developing the people who will carry these companies forward.

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The NEXGEN Leadership Program has been developing commercial construction leaders on Florida's Gulf Coast since 2014. In this episode, host Laura Gross, Executive Vice President of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with the incoming Class of 2027 chairs Arin Lowery (ACCI), Kyle Shank (Schaefer General Contracting), and Ciarra Wilson (Gaylor Electric) — to talk about what the program is, what it does, and why now is the right time to apply.

They cover the workforce shortage facing the industry, the role relationships play in a career in construction, what companies gain when they invest in their people, and what the Class of 2027 can expect from September through April.

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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Oliver Corizzi, Principal at Avenue Media - an experienced, industry-focused marketing agency based in Sarasota - to talk about what's driving unprecedented competition in commercial construction and what contractors need to do differently to stay ahead.

Oliver shares why AI is dramatically increasing the number of firms bidding on every project, why more contractors are niching down into specific sectors rather than positioning as generalists, and why a strong website is less about lead generation and more about validating your credibility when a client is comparing bids.

Together, Steve and Oliver discuss what it really takes to differentiate in today's market:

• How AI is lowering the bidding barrier - and what that means for contractors

• Why niching down is replacing "we do it all" - and winning more work because of it

• Why your website validates, not generates - and what most contractors get wrong

• How culture and tenure speak louder than any marketing campaign

• Why your workforce is your most powerful recruiting tool

• How featuring your subs in your marketing builds project-wide loyalty

• What AI can and can't replace - and why storytelling matters more than ever

Whether you're a GC, subcontractor, or construction-related business navigating a tighter market, this episode offers a candid and practical look at how reputation, brand, and story are becoming as strategic as any bid on the Gulf Coast.

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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Nick Murphy, Project Manager at Gaylor Electric and ABC's 2025 Young Professional of the Year, to talk about how early career decisions, hands-on experience, and industry involvement shape the next generation of construction leaders.

Nick shares how starting in ABC's apprenticeship program reshaped his perspective on learning, how combining field experience with formal education strengthened his communication and leadership skills, and why involvement in industry programs accelerated his professional growth.

Together, Steve and Nick discuss how young professionals can build credibility in the field, why relationships matter in a relationship-driven industry, and how stepping outside your comfort zone helps unlock new opportunities. This conversation also dives into:

• How apprenticeship experience bridges the gap between field and office teams
• Why industry relationships are critical for long-term career growth

The leadership lessons Nick gained through ABC involvement and NEXGEN

• Why young professionals shouldn't fear failure - and how growth actually happens in construction

Whether you're early in your career, managing emerging talent, or looking to build stronger teams, this episode offers a practical look at how involvement, learning, and mentorship help develop future industry leaders. 👉 Subscribe for more episodes of Blueprints & Banter and conversations with leaders shaping the future of construction.

In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Jason Hall, Chief Revenue Officer at GMF Steel and ABC's 2025 Member of the Year, to talk about what real industry engagement looks like - and why it matters more than ever.

Jason shares how his company leaned into ABC from day one, how involvement across leadership, workforce programs, and committees created measurable value, and why collective action is essential for solving the construction industry's biggest challenges - from workforce shortages to policy advocacy. Together, Steve and Jason discuss what happens behind the scenes at ABC, how industry leaders shape advocacy efforts, and why participation at every level of a company helps build stronger teams and stronger businesses.

This conversation also dives into:

Why networking is only the starting point of ABC membership

How advocacy efforts help shape policy and protect the industry

The importance of leadership buy-in when engaging your team

What Jason sees coming next for construction on the Gulf Coast Whether you're already involved in ABC or considering membership, this episode offers a clear look at how engagement, leadership, and collaboration move the construction industry forward.

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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Jason Spears, the newly appointed 2026 Chairman, to discuss leadership, advocacy, and the future of the construction industry.

Jason shares his 20+ year journey with ABC - from his early days in the University of Florida student chapter to serving on the executive board - and how programs like NEXGEN Leadership became a national model for developing industry leaders. Together, Steve and Jason unpack what really happens behind the scenes at ABC, from boardroom conversations to legislative advocacy that protects merit shop contractors.

This conversation also dives into:

- Why leadership development matters more than ever in construction
- How ABC supports contractors through safety, workforce, and policy challenges
- Jason's vision for strengthening advocacy, permitting reform, and member engagement in 2026
- Why involvement—not observation—is the key to getting real value from ABC

Whether you're a longtime member or considering getting involved, this episode offers an inside look at how ABC works to move the industry forward -and why strong leadership is critical to what comes next.

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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Adam Handfinger - construction attorney and co-founder of Document Crunch - to unpack the real risks contractors are facing right now, and how technology can help keep projects on track. With 25 years practicing construction law and a front-row seat to jobsite realities, Adam explains how AI is changing the way contractors understand contracts, manage risk, and avoid costly mistakes—especially in today's volatile environment.

Here's what we cover:

✔️ How AI tools like Document Crunch support project teams-not just legal teams

✔️ Why undocumented fear, not just enforcement, is driving labor shortages

✔️ What contractors should do if ICE or Homeland Security shows up on a jobsite

✔️ How to track labor shortages before they derail your schedule

✔️ The return of material price chaos - from tariffs to steel, aluminum, and lumber spikes

✔️ Common contract mistakes that leave GCs and trades exposed to escalation risk

✔️ Why trade contractors must understand the prime contract - even if they can't negotiate it

✔️ How better documentation and real-time tracking prevent disputes before they start

Key insight from Adam Handfinger: "Most project teams don't fail because they don't care. They fail because they don't know what their contracts actually require - until it's too late."

This conversation is a practical, no-nonsense look at how contractors can protect themselves, their teams, and their margins - by combining legal insight, better process, and smart use of AI.

🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations on construction leadership, risk management, workforce challenges, and the future of the industry.

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In this powerful episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Bob Buckhorn, Tampa's transformational 58th Mayor, to discuss leadership through crisis, city building, and Tampa's incredible renaissance.

Here's what we cover:

✔️ Leading Tampa through the Great Recession with a $30 million deficit
✔️ The permitting crisis that's choking construction growth statewide
✔️ How Tampa became the Southeast's top destination for young talent
✔️ Why Buckhorn is considering a 2027 mayoral run to finish the job
✔️ Transportation solutions that could make or break Tampa's future
✔️ The AI technology that could revolutionize permitting processes
✔️ Lessons in resilience, tenacity, and never settling for mediocrity
✔️ How public-private partnerships transformed a dying city into an economic powerhouse

Key insights from Mayor Buckhorn: "We literally were facing a $30 million deficit. We set about stabilizing the budget, but more importantly, trying to figure out how we could inspire this community to believe not in what they were experiencing, but to believe in what we could be."

"Time is money to somebody who's carrying a multi-million dollar loan. That interest clock is ticking every day. We can't cut our way out of this problem. We have to grow our way out."

"The job's not done. We're on such an amazing trajectory, and the transformation of this city... I got another tour of duty left in me."

This is your front-row seat to understanding how visionary leadership, strategic partnerships with the construction industry, and relentless focus on economic development can transform entire communities.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated on leadership insights, construction industry trends, and real talk with the leaders shaping Florida's Gulf Coast region.

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