CO Summit Santa Clara, hosted by Lumber and Construction Owners Club, in the heart of Silicon Valley emerged as a critical event that addressed the region's urgent workforce needs and the innovations that are redefining the construction industry. As California's economy continues to grow, the Bay Area—home to a booming tech sector, a rapidly expanding construction market, and a diverse workforce—faces challenges like talent shortages, labor gaps, and the ever-evolving demands of a high-tech economy. In partnership with the Builders Exchange of Santa Clara and Santa Clara University, CO Summit Santa Clara brought together job seekers, employers, industry professionals, and decision-makers for a deep dive into the future of the industry. 

This year’s summit, held on November 21, 2024 at Santa Clara University offered a unique space where employers and employees could meet, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships, laying the foundation for a thriving, resilient future in one of the nation's most economically vibrant regions.

“We’ve probably made 10-15 new connections in the first hour, and have met with a lot of great people and students that are looking for ways to explore their future in the industry.” Shawn Dean, owner of South Bay Grading, said. 

The Bay Area has long been a hotspot for both startups and established tech giants, yet there’s a growing concern about talent shortages. According to the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, nearly 70% of Bay Area companies report difficulty in finding qualified workers, especially in sectors like tech, construction, and healthcare. For companies operating in fast-paced, competitive industries, recruiting top talent is often one of the most significant challenges.

At CO Summit Santa Clara, the job fair served as a vital conduit between job seekers/ college students, and employers, offering a firsthand opportunity to connect with a wide variety of top local companies in the construction industry. From top local General Contractors such as Gilbane and Swinerton, to local companies such as South Bay Grading and DoubleJack, and even local organizations such as AGC of California, CO Summit underscored the diverse economic landscape of the Bay Area, while also highlighting the importance of initiatives like addressing the growing talent gap.

With a total of 9 vendors participating in the job fair and expo portion of the event, attendees were provided the opportunity to network and build relationships with the faces behind these companies. 

“I was so excited to have the opportunity to network and interact with so many people in the industry.” Megan Shapiro, founder of Construction Contract Coach, said. “It was such a great opportunity to see students here in person who were very hungry and super excited for the opportunity to learn more about how they can join our industry.”

Co-Summit 2024 offered more tangible solutions to the growing workforce challenges and the future of the construction industry through the panel discussion: Constructing Tomorrow: Career Paths, Innovations, and the Future of the Industry. This panel, moderated by Manideep Tummalapudi, Associate Professor, Construction Management at Fresno State was stacked with industry leaders such as: Amar Amte (Pegbo), Christi Pilutik (BuilderFax), Shel Waggener (American Asphalt) and Megan Shapiro (Construction Contract Coach).

The panel addressed topics such as entering the construction workforce, inclusion and diversity in the industry, compliance challenges in the industry, and new technologies like AI.  By bringing together CEOs and owners at the forefront of the industry and educators, CO Summit Santa Clara didn’t just talk about the challenges—it provided the tools, connections, and knowledge to solve them.

CO Summit aimed to not only inspire but also motivate its attendees through two incredible keynote presentations by Juanita Douglas and Misha Homara.   

Juanita Douglas shared her insights during her presentation, The Beginning: Juanita Douglas’s story. Attendees could hear a pin drop while listening to Juanita’s inspiring story about how she got started in the construction industry. Juanita touched the audience with her story of persistence and hard work while highlighting the need for more diversity and inclusion within the industry. 

Misha Homara, CEO of TriCore Panels, also gave an insightful session about her journey in the construction industry and working her way up to the top, while always keeping community at the forefront. She also spoke about how she transformed her family business into the modern company it is today. Misha’s presentation: The Construction Evolution: Building a Legacy with Community at the Core was nothing short of inspiring to students, job seekers and industry professionals alike. 

As CO Summit Santa Clara wrapped up, attendees walked away with more than just business cards—they walked away with solutions, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. With the construction industry projected to grow by another 7% in the next five years in the Bay Area, events like Co-Summit will continue to play a vital role in shaping the region’s workforce.