Construction is big business – with a big payroll – in Minnesota.

The industry ramped up to more than 125,000 jobs at just under 16,000 establishments statewide, through the second quarter of 2015. Average annual wages were just over $57,500 in 2015, nearly $7,000 higher than the total of all industries.

Registration is open for the 2016 Minnesota Construction Industry Conference set for Thurs., Feb. 18, 2016, at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.

Hundreds of industry attendees are expected, but hurry, the first conference, held in 2014, sold out. Registration closes Feb. 12.

Register for the 2016 Minnesota Construction Industry Conference.

The conference provides educational and networking opportunities about highway and heavy, commercial building, residential construction, and state contracts and procurement, plus informative general sessions for the entire construction industry.

The cost is $89 and includes all workshops and general sessions, optional 1-on-1 with the State Sessions, breakfast and lunch. Free parking is available.

Continuing education units are available for some workshops.

What You’ll Find -- General Sessions

State of the Industry: Construction by the Numbers

DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben will present an overview of current economic trends in the state’s construction industry.

Perspectives from Inside the Construction Industry

Contractors and industry representatives will tackle economic stability and sustainability, workforce recruitment and retention plus the challenges and opportunities of working with state and local governments.

Ask the Commissioners Panel

State agency commissioners will answer questions submitted by attendees.

Workshop topics

• Commercial construction
• Highway and heavy construction
• Residential construction
• State contracts and procurement

Face Time with State Experts

State subject-matter experts will be available throughout the conference for one-on-one sessions about contracting, prevailing wage, apprenticeship, workers' compensation, safety and more.

Industry partners for the event include:

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
Associated General Contractors of America
Builders Association of Minnesota; and
Building Trades AFL-CIO

In addition to DEED, state agency partners are:

Minnesota Department of Administration
Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and
Minnesota Department of Transportation

More Information

Visit www.dli.mn.gov/construction to register and view the current agenda.

For questions, contact construction@state.mn.us or call 651-284-5018.