Attendees at the annual Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association (CISCA) Convention will have the opportunity to network in a social environment at Paris/Bally’s Hotels in Las Vegas, March 24-28.

CISCA is an association dedicated to serving the specialty ceilings and interior systems industry. Members are specialty contractors, distributors, manufacturers and independent manufacturer reps. CISCA promotes and supports the industry by providing a forum for members to network, by publishing internationally-specified construction guidelines, and by providing industry information to members.

The convention begins with a welcome reception on the 24th at 6 pm. On Tuesday, the annual joint AWCI/CISCA President’s Reception will be held. This is an opportunity to network and socialize with industry peers before the main event.

Another annual event, the President’s Dinner, will be held Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is Martini Madness, where attendees can enjoy a cocktail during an exclusive performance from the “Rat Pack.”

The highlight for convention attendees is the presentation of the Construction Excellence Awards at the Keynote Breakfast on Wednesday. The year’s most outstanding commercial interior construction projects by CISCA members are recognized in a multimedia presentation. CISCA will also present its highest honor, the De Gelleke Award, to an individual who has made a significant and noteworthy contribution to the industry.

After the awards presentation, CISCA members will be presented with the keynote address, “Rock Solid Leadership: How Anyone, in Any Job, Can Lead with Enthusiasm, Passion and Purpose.” Keynote speaker Robin Crow will lead attendees through his journey from musician to successful entrepreneur, sharing the strategies that helped him achieve his goals. Using his guitar playing as a metaphor, he shows how to take risks and overcome self-limiting beliefs, demonstrating that by focusing on dreams, anything is possible.

As it has been in the past, education will be a key part of this year’s annual CISCA convention. This year, CISCA will release the much-anticipated results of a Life Cycle Study comparing cost savings of Suspended Ceilings versus Open Plenum Ceilings, conducted by Barry Donaldson and Associates. Mr. Donaldson will discuss the LEED implications of the study as well.

Additional intensive education sessions include: FMI Management Consultant Sean Taylor on “Using Effective Rewards Programs to Attract, Retain and Motivate Highly Engaged and Productive Employees”; Dennis Cotter, a leading construction industry trial attorney, on “Construction Claim Management” featuring bid and contract documents and the new ConsensusDOCS; and Ronda Harkey, a Texas attorney specializing in immigration compliance issues, with “Immigration 101.”

CISCA will present the commercial interior construction industry’s annual Economic Forecast by a leading national economist on Thursday. This economist will address the current and long-term forecast opportunities for the industry.

For the third year, CISCA is joining with AWCI to present the INTEX Expo, the largest trade show offered to the ceiling and wall industry. INTEX ‘08 will be held March 26-27 at the Paris & Bally’s hotels. Nearly 200 companies (at more than 300 booths) will be on hand to discuss their products and services. For additional information on the CISCA convention, visitwww.cisca.orgor call (630) 584-1919.