In this powerful episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Bob Buckhorn, Tampa's transformational 58th Mayor, to discuss leadership through crisis, city building, and Tampa's incredible renaissance.

Here's what we cover:

✔️ Leading Tampa through the Great Recession with a $30 million deficit
✔️ The permitting crisis that's choking construction growth statewide
✔️ How Tampa became the Southeast's top destination for young talent
✔️ Why Buckhorn is considering a 2027 mayoral run to finish the job
✔️ Transportation solutions that could make or break Tampa's future
✔️ The AI technology that could revolutionize permitting processes
✔️ Lessons in resilience, tenacity, and never settling for mediocrity
✔️ How public-private partnerships transformed a dying city into an economic powerhouse

Key insights from Mayor Buckhorn: "We literally were facing a $30 million deficit. We set about stabilizing the budget, but more importantly, trying to figure out how we could inspire this community to believe not in what they were experiencing, but to believe in what we could be."

"Time is money to somebody who's carrying a multi-million dollar loan. That interest clock is ticking every day. We can't cut our way out of this problem. We have to grow our way out."

"The job's not done. We're on such an amazing trajectory, and the transformation of this city... I got another tour of duty left in me."

This is your front-row seat to understanding how visionary leadership, strategic partnerships with the construction industry, and relentless focus on economic development can transform entire communities.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated on leadership insights, construction industry trends, and real talk with the leaders shaping Florida's Gulf Coast region.

#ABCMeritShopProud #ABCFLGulf #TampaRenaissance #ConstructionLeadership #BobBuckhorn

In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Gulf Coast Chapter President & CEO Steve Cona III sits down with Nathan Somerville from VectorNet, a Tampa-based engineering design firm specializing in reality capture and advanced construction technology.

As a licensed engineer and contractor in Florida, Nathan brings a unique insider's perspective on how construction technology can solve real industry challenges.

Here's what we cover:
✔️ How VectorNet started three years ago to fill technology gaps in the AEC space
✔️ Why AI is the hottest trend in construction - from ChatGPT to Procore's AI-powered RFI analysis
✔️ Reality capture and laser scanning: from 10-year delays to same-day concrete pour adjustments
✔️ Practical technology entry points for mid-sized contractors and subcontractors
✔️ Using 360 cameras and helmet-mounted devices for easy jobsite documentation
✔️ AI-powered safety monitoring to identify hazards before they become incidents
✔️ How wearables could revolutionize construction site safety and location tracking
✔️ Streamlining permitting processes and using AI to analyze city comments
✔️ Daily applications of ChatGPT for proposals, RFP reviews, and workflow efficiency
✔️ Preview of ABC's upcoming Tech & Safety Conference on August 29th

Whether you're a large contractor already using advanced technology or a smaller firm looking to get started, this episode provides actionable insights on embracing construction technology to stay competitive in today's labor-challenged market.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated on industry insights, technology trends, and real talk with construction leaders.

In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Gulf Coast Chapter President & CEO Steve Cona III sits down with Ron Pierce, President and CEO of RSA Consulting, to break down everything you need to know about the 2024 legislative session in Tallahassee. Here’s what we cover:

✔️ Why the session lasted 105 days
✔️ The $900 million commercial lease tax repeal
✔️ ABC’s major win on apprenticeship funding & transparency
✔️ How ABC plays defense against harmful bills
✔️ Key leaders from the Gulf Coast shaping Florida’s future
✔️ What’s coming next: permitting challenges, special elections, and 2026 planning
✔️ Why political relationship-building never stops
✔️ How construction, healthcare, and sports industries work together to drive Florida’s growth

This is your front-row seat to how legislation affects construction in Florida - and what ABC is doing to make sure your voice is heard.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated on industry insights, legislative updates, and real talk with industry leaders.

#FloridaConstruction #ABCGulfCoast #LegislativeUpdate