Lawsuits alleging latent defects get filed years after construction projects have been completed. Risk has always been associated with the business of construction but, in today’s climate, being a good contractor just isn’t enough to avoid construction defect litigation. Leaders of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the Associated Specialty Contractors (ASC) will hold a summit to address the risks faced by contractors in the construction marketplace.

Scheduled for Nov. 8-9 at the Marriott Desert Springs, Palm Desert, Calif., the day and a half meeting will provide general and specialty contractors an opportunity to work with industry experts to develop an action plan for the construction industry to address several crucial risk issues facing contractors.

“The goal for the risk summit is to leave with a plan that has been developed with input from all affected parties,” said Dick Grund, ASC Chairman. “We must do everything we can to deliver the best projects possible. Our economy needs a system it can rely on.”

The design of this risk summit is unique. In addition to general and specialty contractors, and relevant subject matter experts, each panel will include participation by the audience. Each session will conclude by developing an action plan. Assistance is being provided by Ernst & Young’s Office of Construction Corporate Planning and the Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence (PACE), a construction industry and academic collaborative located at Penn State University.

With more than 25,000 member firms, SMACNA along with seven other specialty contractor associations comprise the Associated Specialty Contractors.