In his pre-convention message to members of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and other potential attendees, Convention Chairman Charlie Potts began with an apt quote from Winston Churchill: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Here at RAI, we couldn’t agree more with this tough-get-going approach.

This year’s convention will be held Oct. 6-9, at the Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, S.C. The central goal of the convention is to help attendees refine their business strategies, which should be exactly what they want. Earlier this year, ARTBA surveyed its membership about the upcoming convention, and a majority of respondents asked for general sessions that focused on:

• managing business operations in unprecedented economic times;
• examining industry merger-and-acquisition trends; and
• learning more about the latest legislative and regulatory developments from Capitol Hill.

Convention highlights
After the Tuesday kickoff — which includes meetings for the Young Executive Leadership Council, the Bridge Policy and Promotion Council, and the First Timers/Young Executive Development Program orientation session — the convention continues with two, packed days of programming, which include appearances by some provocative speakers.

On Wednesday, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, president of The Citadel, will take the lectern to speak with well-seasoned authority about the qualities and principles that should accompany a good leader.

On Thursday, Scott Humrickhouse, director, FMI Corporation, will address business strategy issues during the general session, “Weathering the Storm: Managing Your Company through a Turbulent Economy.”

Humrickhouse is followed that afternoon by Bobby Cremins, head coach of College of Charleston men’s basketball team, the Cougars. Cremins is a Naismith College Coach of the Year, and he headlines the general session “Leadership and Balance in Work and Life.” Thursday finishes with a two-part boat tour, but pre-registration is required.

Registration and details
To learn more about the program of events, and to register, visit www.artbanationalconvention.org