More than 200 professionals and 90 exhibitor representatives attended the 2015 National Convention and Tradeshow in Myrtle Beach, S.C., representing a 42% increase over the 2014 attendance.

Next year, the National Convention remains on the East Coast, where it will be held at the Charlotte-Concord NC Embassy Suites Golf Resort and Spa.  Mark your calendars for April 27-29, 2016.

Golf, fishing, a boom lift ball drop, and the Luau theme Gala Dinner, provided lots of networking and fun activities for members, while sessions on EPA Tier 4 regulations, AISC Erector Certification and other key issues set the tone for education. 

New this year was craft training and certification opportunities, including Signal Person NCCER Certified Plus and Boom Lift Operator Training provided by United Rentals.

In recognition for her service to the steel construction industry and the Steel Erectors Association of America, SEAA honored its first female Person of the Year at the association's 43rd Annual Convention, held April 23-25 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The 2015 Person of the Year, Carrie Sopuch-Gulajan, is president of Construction Insurance Agency, Inc., Manassas, Va. She has worked in the construction industry since the 1990s, first in the engineering department of a major insurance carrier, then on the corporate side of safety and risk management for a steel erection company, finally returning to the insurance business as an agent. More

Scholarship: NCCER and its Build Your Future (BYF) initiative have recently partnered with The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and its AGC Education and Research Foundation to create a national BYF scholarship program for deserving individuals pursuing a career in construction through craft and technical programs.

Scholarships are valued at $1,000 per year for each recipient and can be renewed for up to two years. Applications are due by June 15, 2015 for the 2015-2016 academic year. Apply Online