INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Dan Walters, a syndicated political columnist for the Sacramento Bee, will be the keynote speaker at California SMACNA's 38th annual convention, to be held here at the Hyatt Grand Champions April 14-17.

According to organizers, one of the most important functions during the convention is the opening business session. Here Walters is scheduled to provide commentary regarding California's political scene. California SMACNA legislative advocate Chris Walker, of Nossaman, Guthner, Knox, & Elliott LLP, is also scheduled to provide a legislative update.

Also scheduled to be present and speak to members are SMACNA president Mark Watson and SMACNA executive vice president John Sroka.

Several educational sessions are scheduled, including the presentation "Challenge of the Future: The First Decade of the Twenty-First Century," by Tom Mikulina, vice president, Industry Relations, The Trane Company. Mikulina is scheduled to talk about the underlying driving forces which account for the issues and trends contractors will be experiencing during the next several years. He is also scheduled to discuss the specific issues and trends that will have the greatest impact on contracting firms.

Sam Abdulaziz, an acknowledged expert in the field of construction law, is scheduled to touch upon the validity of contracts. His talk, titled "What Did I Agree to and How Much is it Going to Cost Me? Expert Review of Your Contracts," is designed to provide guidance in the field of construction contracts.

For more information or to register, go to www.cal-smacna.org.

Publication date: 02/23/2004