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CWA 2011 Annual Conference 'CONNECTED' Set for Oct. 24-25 in San Antonio

The Construction Writers Association (CWA), an international organization for journalism, photography, marketing and communications professionals in the construction industry, will hold its 2011 annual conference, "CONNECTED," Oct. 24-25 at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

The conference will kick off with a Habitat for Humanity volunteer work project. "CWA is proud to give back to the construction industry by offering its members a memorable experience on a home-building jobsite," said program co-chair Kim Phelan.

The project also will give construction writers an opportunity to interview executives from Habitat, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

The conference will feature presentations on key issues affecting the construction industry; educational workshops; a panel discussion on Web communications, including writing for the Web, blogging, copyright issues, search engine optimization and social media; and a construction site tour of the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, which will be nearing completion this fall.

Speakers will include:

• Doug McMurry, executive vice president, San Antonio Associated General Contractors of America, and Michelle McMurry, a former managing editor, San Antonio Construction News, and current editor-in-chief, San Antonio TASTE.
• Robert Rivard, editor, San Antonio Express-News.
• Eugenio Alemàn, senior economist, Wells Fargo.
• Nick Mavrick, vice president of marketing, Volvo Rents.
• Jane Baxter Lynn, executive director, U.S. Green Building Council Central Texas.
• Pattie Porter, principal, "The Texas Conflict Coach."
• Sandy Hamby, vice president, MOCA Systems, Brooke Army Medical Center project at Fort Sam Houston.

The conference will also include a Grand Awards Dinner on Oct. 25 honoring this year's Silver Hard Hat, Hall of Fame, Journalism, Photography, Marketing Communications, and Website and Electronic Communications award winners.

Sponsors are: Platinum, Caterpillar, Inc. and Marketwire; Gold, Award Company of America, John Deere, McCarthy Building Companies, National Asphalt Pavement Association and Randall-Reilly; Silver, Hilti and Performance Marketing; Bronze, Portland Cement Association and The Texas Conflict Coach; and Collaborative: ASA Chicago.

The Construction Writers Association (CWA), founded in 1958, is a non-profit, non-partisan, international organization that provides a forum for journalism, photography, marketing, and communications professionals in all segments of the construction industry to connect with other professionals and enhance skills through education. Follow the conference updates on Twitter. Visit our website at www.constructionwriters.org. Join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.