PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MARCH 2010

As we publish this month’s newsletter, we have just a month to Pro Fair 2010.  This year’s ProFair looks to be an extremely exciting one, with upwards of 40 vendors representing many of the products utilized in the construction of most commercial facilities.  Remember, it will be held April 14, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center at 1675 Owens Street in San Francisco.  This is a great opportunity, which is free to attendees, to talk directly with product representatives about specific projects that you are currently dealing with.  The UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center has abundant parking and is easily accessible from all the major freeways and public transportation.

As we all know, one of the most important benefits of CSI is the opportunity for continuing professional development and education, especially in this highly competitive job market. One recent example was the CDT Certification classes that the Chapter held every Thursday starting in late January and ending later this month.  These classes are designed to assist individuals prepare for taking the Institute’s CDT and CCS Certification exams.

Of course, our monthly dinner meetings typically include a presentation of professional interest which offers continuing educational opportunities.  Over the next several months, we have several such interesting presentations or events which all members should take advantage of.  At the March monthly meeting, we will have a program dealing with construction contracts titled “The Devil is in the Details;” in April we have our outstanding ProFair 2010 with upwards of 40 manufacturer’s reps available to discuss product specific technical issues in a one-on-on environment; and in May we will hear from Robert Beck, Senior Program Manager, on the current status of the $4.18 billion SF Transbay Center.

Finally, let’s not forget to vote in the 2010 CSI Election which started February 3, 2010.  All members should have received an email from the Institute in late January announcing the upcoming elections, which will be conducted on an electronic basis. Then in early February, we all should have received an e-mail from the Institute providing us with our online sign-in information and website for casting our ballots.  If you did not receive such information, it probably means that the e-mail address that the Institute has for you is not current.  If that is the case, email the Institute at csi@csinet.org and include “election email address change” in the subject line.  Remember that your vote is important and voting ends March 3, 2010.

James O’Keefe

President

San Francisco Chapter, CSI