NEW YORK — What’s next for the construction industry? At McGraw-Hill Construction’s Outlook 2010 Executive Conference, media representatives, economists, and industry leaders will get a first look at the 2010 Construction Outlook Report. Authored by Robert Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction, the report details the construction forecast for the year ahead. Trends in construction, which accounts for 8 percent of America’s gross domestic product, will have critical influence on the nation’s overall economy.

The 71st annual Outlook Executive Conference will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, and Friday, Oct. 16, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together top executives from all parts of the construction industry including firms involved in building product manufacturing, architecture and design, contracting, engineering, industry associations, and other industry professionals.

The Outlook Executive Conference is expected to draw more than 300 attendees to discuss industry trends and analyze the impact that U.S. and global economic forces, such as the ARRA and other key initiatives, will have on the construction industry in the coming year. The program includes lectures and interactive panel discussions, as well as ample opportunities for attendees to share information with peers and presenters. Tucker Carlson, contributor, FOX News, and senior fellow, The Cato Institute, will open the event with a luncheon keynote address at noon on Oct. 15. Murray will conclude the event by presenting the 2010 Construction Outlook findings at 11 a.m. on Oct. 16. Additional scheduled speakers include:

• Kermit Baker, chief economist, The American Institute of Architects
• Harvey Bernstein, vice president, Industry Analytics, Alliances & Strategic Initiatives, McGraw-Hill Construction
• Shailen Bhatt, associate administrator for Policy and Governmental Affairs, Federal Highway Administration
• Dennis Carr, deputy project manager, Recovery Act Project, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC
• Manju Chandrasekhar, vice president - Economics & Business Solutions, Halcrow, Inc.
• Rick Ciullo, chief operating officer, Chubb Surety
• James Dalton, chief, Engineering & Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Gregory Druga, vice president, general manager, Grunley Construction Company, Inc.
• Frank Giunta, senior vice president & managing director (Americas), Hill International, Inc.
• William Guerin, ARRA National Program Management Office recovery executive, U.S. General Services Administration
• John Horsley, executive director, American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials
• Tom Ichniowski, Washington bureau chief, Engineering News-Record
• John Lowe, principal, WDG Architecture
• John Mothersole, principal, Industry Practices, Global Insight
• Eleanor Holmes Norton, chairwoman, House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings & Emergency Management; Member, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
• George Pierson, chief operating officer, Parsons Brinckerhoff
• David Wyss, chief economist, Standard & Poor’s
• Norbert Young, president, McGraw-Hill Construction
• Christian Zimmerman, president, Pike Industries

For more information and online registration, visit http://construction.com/events/outlook2010/.