DES MOINES, IA — As the leaves start to change and Iowa’s football teams are back to playing, another annual fall tradition takes place — the Associated General Contractors of Iowa (AGC of Iowa) Barbecue and Fall Day event. The largest crowd of local area contractors in recent years recently gathered together in Des Moines, Iowa, for the event.

Barbecue, beverages, and tunes were on tap at the barbecue/open house, held as usual at the AGC of Iowa office parking lot. More than 250 AGC members attended the event, and the AGC of Iowa would like to thank Martin Marietta, Merchants Bonding Company, and Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel for being sponsors.

The AGC Fall Day, held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, featured a day of speakers, discussions, committee meetings, and an open forum with an Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) presentation and Q&A session. Following that, a panel presentation was led by Wes Musgrove of IDOT and Mitch Dillavou of AGC, clarifying a future revised specification regarding DBE trucking firms' calculation goals on projects.

A final seminar entitled “Navigating the Fog of Immigration” was led by Attorney Marina Grabchuk, of the Belin McCormick Law Firm. In this session, attendees learned how immigration and enforcement policies are affecting employers and foreign national workers. The presentation focused on strategic planning for employers who recruit and wish to retain foreign nationals, as well as developing best practices for Form I-9 compliance. In addition to the seminars, the Fall Day offered an opportunity to have some fun and network. Breakfast and speakers were sponsored by Jim Hawk Truck Trailers, Inc.

The Associated General Contractors of Iowa is an organization of construction contractors and industry-related companies. For over 100 years, the AGC of Iowa has offered a full range of services for the needs and concerns of its members, aiming to improve the quality of construction and protect the public interest.