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Inside ABC FL Gulf Coast's Biggest Year Ever – and How It Impacts You in 2025

Release Date: 03/12/2025

Tampa's Incredible Comeback Story with Former Mayor Bob Buckhorn

Blueprints & Banter

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...

How AI is Transforming Construction: Practical Tech Solutions with Nathan Somerville | Blueprints & Banter Podcast w/ Ron Pierce

Blueprints & Banter

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...

Florida's $900M Tax Cut, Permitting Reforms & ABC’s Wins | Blueprints & Banter Podcast w/ Ron Pierce

Blueprints & Banter

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:...

How ABC is Changing Workforce Development & Why It Matters with Laura Gross

Blueprints & Banter

In this episode of Blueprints & Banter podcast, Steve Cona welcomes Laura Gross, Vice President of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, to dive deeply into how ABC’s latest workforce strategies are directly benefiting apprentices, emerging leaders, and your entire team. Specifically, you’ll hear about: The Redesigned Apprenticeship Model: ABC’s apprenticeship program has been revamped with fewer nights in the classroom, expanded online learning options, and customized in-house training opportunities. Laura explains how these changes directly support contractors by delivering more efficient,...

Alex Myers’s Apprentice Story Is EXACTLY What the Construction Industry Needs to Hear

Blueprints & Banter

What if your entire career started with one high school program—and led you to manage multimillion-dollar jobs by your mid-20s? In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona sits down with Alex Myers, former ABC apprentice and now Assistant Project Manager at Tri-City Electrical Contractors. Alex shares how his journey started at Pasco High School, where a strong electrical program and ABC’s Build Tampa Bay event helped him skip the traditional college path and go straight into the trades. Alex was “recruited” before he even graduated, started his apprenticeship in 2018, and...

The REAL Impact of Social Media in Commercial Construction

Blueprints & Banter

Does social media really work in commercial construction? Many construction companies still believe marketing is only about getting new projects—but the reality is, digital strategy plays a much bigger role. From attracting skilled workers to strengthening industry influence, construction companies that ignore social media risk falling behind. In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona (President & CEO, ABC Florida Gulf Coast) sits down with Oliver Corizzi (Principal, Avenue Media) to break down the real impact of marketing in construction. They tackle one of the...

Inside ABC FL Gulf Coast's Biggest Year Ever – and How It Impacts You in 2025

Blueprints & Banter

Welcome to the first 2025 edition of Blueprints & Banter podcast! In this episode, Steve Cona (President & CEO) and David Tercios (Immediate Past Chair) reflect on a record-breaking year for ABC Florida Gulf Coast and look ahead to what’s in store for the construction industry in 2025. With the chapter reaching its highest-ever membership, 2024 was a year of growth, networking, and advocacy. From major legislative victories and legal wins to key workforce initiatives and contractor training programs, ABC continued to shape the future of construction in Florida. The conversation...

Celebrating Growth and Looking Ahead at ABC FL Gulf Coast Chapter!

Blueprints & Banter

In this episode of *Blueprints & Banter*, titled "Celebrating Growth and Looking Ahead," host Steve Cona, President and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, is joined by co-hosts Laura Gross, Vice President of Membership, and Dave Turcios, Chairman of the Board. They dive into the latest updates, achievements, and future plans for the ABC community as they wrap up the year and prepare for 2025. The episode begins with Steve welcoming listeners and thanking the podcast’s sponsors, including Milwaukee Tool and Piper Fire, who have...

What Happens Next for St. Petersburg After ABC Lawsuit Ruling

Blueprints & Banter

00:01:22:25 Attorneys Brian Lambert from Adams & Reese, and Ric Asfar from Almazan Law join the show, In this episode of *Blueprints & Banter*, titled "Fighting for Fairness in Construction," host Steve Cona welcomes co-hosts Dave Turcios and Laura Gross for an in-depth discussion on a significant legal battle in the construction industry. The episode centers around a five-year court case involving the City of St. Petersburg's apprenticeship and disadvantaged worker ordinances, with Steve and his guests unpacking the implications of the recent court ruling. The episode...

Exploring ABC’s New Healthcare Captive and 401k Program

Blueprints & Banter

- Steve Cona, President/CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter - David Turcios, Chairman of the ABC Board **Special Guest Host:** - Laura Gross, VP of Membership for ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter **Guests:** - Adam Bonsky, CEO & President, ABC Insurance Trust - Larry Crocker, Fiduciary Consulting Group /// **Segment 1: Introduction (5 minutes)** - **Opening Music and Introduction by Hosts:** - Introduction of the podcast and its focus on ABC’s new member benefits and programs. - Brief overview of ABC and its role in the construction industry. - Introduction of...

More Episodes

With the chapter reaching its highest-ever membership, 2024 was a year of growth, networking, and advocacy. From major legislative victories and legal wins to key workforce initiatives and contractor training programs, ABC continued to shape the future of construction in Florida.

The conversation covers the impact of ABC’s advocacy at the state and national levels, including its role in policy changes that directly affect contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Steve and David also discuss how ABC’s engagement in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. will play a crucial role in ensuring a strong business environment for the industry.

With a full calendar of events ahead—including the Excellence in Construction Awards and the 75th anniversary of ABC National—this year promises even more opportunities for members to connect, grow, and influence the future of the industry.

Tune in to hear how ABC is making a difference, what’s changing in 2025, and how members can take full advantage of everything the chapter has to offer.

📍 Website: www.abcflgulf.org

🎧 Listen now to get the inside scoop on the wins, the challenges, and what’s ahead for Florida’s construction industry in 2025.

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