I've heard a lot of people at industry events complaining about the work force crisis in construction. We are desperate for professionals and desperate for craft workers. Now is the time to do something about it.

DEROCCO

Please join the editors of ENR as we brainstorm with Emily Stover DeRocco, the assistant secretary of labor for employment and training, and leaders from industry and academia at a think tank at the Sheraton Crystal City in Virginia on Sept. 25 and 26.

Everyone who attends will help develop actions plans for promising new ideas. McGraw-Hill Construction Analytics will write a white paper based on the event, and send it to decision makers in Congress, the administration, state government and industry. Print and electronic versions will be available to attendees.

In his book, The Wisdom of Crowds, columnist James Surowiecki makes a persuasive argument that "large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliantbetter at solving problems, fostering innovation and coming to wise decisions." To be smart, he says, a group needs "diversity, independence and decentralization." That's why it's important for a broad cross section of ENR's readers to attend.

The think tank is day one of ENR's fall Top Firm Leaders Forum. A complete agenda and registration information is posted online. Or register by phone at (212) 904-6390 and mention my column.

Janice L. Tuchman
Editor-in-Chief