After a hiatus of several years, the ABC Greater Baltimore ‘GC Showcase’ returned, drawing nearly 500 industry professionals to the Rita Rossi Colwell Center on February 13.
“During COVID, we scaled back the GC Showcase to ‘Meet the Prime,” said ABC’s Ambre Schaffer. “We held it at our training center, invited only four GCs, gave them their own room and then capped the number of attendees to less than 100. These events were very well received as they gave the subcontractor and the GC the opportunity to have more substantial conversations. And we are going to continue to host that event. But it was time to broaden the scale.”
The event featured booths by 25 of the region’s leading general contractors*, and brought provided a platform for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas within the construction community.
The showcase, which was once so big that it needed to be held at M&T Bank stadium, is off to a very good start in recapturing that sized attendance.
What GCs and Trade Contractors had to say:
- “Best quality of trade partners of events I have been to.”
- “We were all pleasantly surprised by the event and enjoyed our time networking. It was a worthwhile investment of time due to the layout/structure of the event and by the attendance.”
- “Getting to engage with new subcontractors and being able to finally meet others we have worked with but never had the pleasure of meeting in person.”
- “I hope you receive dozens of glowing reviews because I certainly heard them circulating the room last night. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!”
- “Great opportunity to meet general contractor’s representatives in person and get familiar with their goal and building a trust and potential working with them.”
- “The people that showed up to present for their respective companies were upper management, not assistant p.m.’s. That was helpful.”
- “What did I like about the event? Everything? I like the location; the people, and the food. ABC Baltimore did a remarkable job!! Thanks a lot!”
To be fair, not every comment was glowing. The one complaint we received? Get a bigger space! “We heard the attendees loud and clear on that one,” said Ambre. “The GC Showcase will be back next year and we can promise everyone more room to navigate and have those conversations without having to shout!”
*List of Exhibiting General Contractors:
Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.
Bozzuto Construction Company
Brawner Builders, Inc.
Buch Construction
Chesapeake Contracting Group
CIANBRO
CK Commercial
Clark Construction Group, LLC
DPR Construction
Gilbane Building Company
Harkins Builders, Inc.
J. Vinton Schafer, A Quandel Company
Lewis Contractors
Mahogany, Inc.
North Point Builders of Maryland, LLC
Plano-Coudon Construction
Project JumpStart
Southway Builders, Inc.
The Mullan Contracting Company
Turner Construction Co.
UrbanBuilt
Wagman Construction, Inc.
Wilhelm Commercial Builders
Wohlsen Construction Company