The C.E.O. Business of Construction: Why Every Capital Project Needs a Strong Communication, Education, and Outreach Program

Construction is more than its design, bricks and mortar. Construction is also about the vision, the promise and the people.

Before, during and after the completion of a construction project, it is important that the construction management firm or owner builds a comprehensive communication and outreach plan to keep key people informed regarding the construction activities.

The most significant construction project to be undertaken by Columbia University in the last 100 years, the building of the Manhattanville Campus, included arguably the most comprehensive Communication, Education and Outreach (C.E.O.) Program in New York City, if not the nation. Significant planning was built into the development of the CEO Program.

This interactive session will include group discussion, program component tools, and worksheets to help those in the construction field better understand the intersection between construction and community relations as well as the need for a comprehensive C.E.O. Program. Participants will enjoy hands-on work and lively dialogue around the challenges and opportunities to be found in a C.E.O. Program. Participants will also be able to explore with the instructor what worked well and not so well with the C.E.O. Program surrounding Manhattanville.

La-Verna Fountain, Vice President of Strategic Communication and Construction Business Initiatives, served as the lead designer of the CEO program for the Manhattanville Campus. Columbia University has received local, state and national recognition for its leadership role in working with the Minority, Women and Local communities and going above and beyond normal protocol to provide critical information regarding construction activities and offer access opportunities to firms and individuals interested in working with Columbia.

Space is limited - RSVP by Wednesday, March 22, 2016.

Please contact Deborah Sachare for more information: ds2784 [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (ds2784[at]columbia[dot]edu).