Robert Bergan, CBC and Bergan Architectural Woodworking

The New Year is a time to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, and to look forward to the coming year. While reflection can be a worthwhile exercise, prediction is a bit trickier. The fact is no one truly knows what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, our forecast for 2017 is this – fortune will favor those who are connected.

Every year members of the Connecticut Building Congress (CBC) programs committee assemble to brainstorm issues and trends upon which to base our programs for the coming year. Comprised of owners, architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and consultants, the group looks to build programs around what we believe will be key upcoming issues and trends. If our programs are any indication of the types of construction projects that we can expect in the future, then look out for healthcare, public-private developments and infrastructure.

CBC’s calendar of events, has two programs about healthcare (Hartford Hospital and Yale-Health), two on infrastructure (CT Airport Authority and the I-84 viaduct in Hartford), and two that highlight development plans that are funded through public and private sources (Hartford’s new baseball stadium and the Stamford 2030 District).

As a new administration moves into the White House later this month, we will begin to see how its plans may affect these three major types of projects. The administration’s campaign famously focused on infrastructure spending and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. When we dig deeper at our programs in the past, we see that federal spending on infrastructure and impacts from the Affordable Care Act on the health care industry emerge as big drivers on these markets. It also remains to be seen how the next President’s experience in the real estate industry will shape policies toward that industry.

Beyond program topics, we at CBC know that the real value throughout the year is in the connections that we all form by remaining active in the organization and the real estate and construction industry. These connections allow deeper and more personal conversations around the challenges and triumphs of our businesses, more specific business intelligence and teaming opportunities. If you want to understand how the major shifts in policy, economics and demographics will change demand for certain types of construction projects, then a high-quality news source and attending programs by a relevant industry organizations are a great place to start. But if you want to get to the root of the issue and see how you can benefit from or effect change, the best way is to get personal and get active in an organization that you believe in.

In the coming months and years, our connected community of owners, designers, builders and consultants will undoubtedly have a lot to discuss. As we begin to look ahead at the major projects and programs for 2017-2018, we will likely have more to discuss on these three types of construction projects. But what will our monthly, weekly and daily conversations be about? Do you have a network of trusted professionals with whom you can openly discuss challenges and solutions? If you don’t, perhaps 2017 is the year that you become more connected in Connecticut.

Richard Bergan is the president of the Connecticut Building Congress and vice president of Bergan Architectural Woodworking, Middletown, Conn.