The 2025 CAWP Annual Meeting was held February 5 – 9, 2025 at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ. Nearly 150 attendees enjoyed four days of networking, educational sessions, social events and more!
To begin the event, attendees gathered together at an outdoor Welcome Reception, complete with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and live entertainment.
CAWP Annual Meeting Speakers
CAWP Executive Director Rich Barcaskey, CAWP Director of Industry Relations Jason Koss and CAWP Director of Events Emily Marotte began the sessions with an overview of the Association’s work for the last year while highlighting initiatives that will be occurring in 2025. They also discussed updates on Workforce Development programs and ways you and your organization can get involved.
Attendees received legislative updates pertinent to the heavy/highway construction industry. The session began with an update at the state level by Rob Vescio, C & G Strategies. This session continued with a federal level update by Alex Etchen, AGC Vice President, Government Relations, and Jim Young, AGC Senior Director, Congressional Relations for Labor, HR and Safety.
Jason Malatak, Mosites Construction Company and Hamilton Baiden, YouTurn Health then discussed proven strategies and programs and real examples that will help to address your employees’ health and wellness in the areas of mental health, substance use disorder, nutrition, and more.
In the keynote address, Tyler Enslin discussed strategies that help individuals control stress levels, build habits to promote growth, and focus on opportunities. Whether currently dealing with a major crisis, or just desiring to be prepared for the next set of challenges, participants learned how to implement practical concepts from this training session.
Team Building
Old Scottsdale Photo Scavenger Hunt
Attendees broke up into teams to tackle the Old Scottsdale Photo Scavenger Hunt. The challenge began with reading the map and app clues to pinpoint specific locations in Old Town to complete video challenges, stage photos, solve clues and more! After the hunt was completed, teams re-convened at the resort to hear what teams topped the leader board. Congratulations to the winning teams!
1st place – Pirates
2nd place – Blue Camo
3rd place – Desert Camo
Group Activities
Horseback Riding
Attendees enjoyed breathtaking views as they saddled up and explored on of the most scenic horseback riding trails in Arizona. This scenic trail ride meanders through the lush Sonoran Desert and gradually climbs to grassy mesas with soaring cottonwoods, sandy washes, and spectacular views.
Desert Botanical Gardens Tour
Participants enjoyed the natural beauty of the Desert Botanical Garden while enjoying a tour of the area, with the guide explain the various and abundant flora and fauna. This living museum of desert plant life is one of the nation’s only science centers dedicated to the desert, desert plants, ecology, and conservation. The Garden hosts more than 10,000 plants and 3,500 different species of cacti, succulents, trees and flowers presented in a series of informative trails.
Social Functions
Group Dinner
The traditional group dinner was held on-site at Jokake Inn, founded in 1928. Attendees gathered outside under the stars and twinkling lights. During cocktail hour, Corona the Beer Burro delighted guests as well as provided handy access to cool beverages. Throughout the evening guests were able to enjoy a tequila tasting, a cigar rolling station, and were able to brand their own leather keychain or luggage tag. The highlight of the evening was the live entertainment by local musician, Chad Wilson Bailey.
Closing Brunch
On Saturday, February 9, attendees enjoyed a delicious breakfast buffet where attendees were able to visit with one another before making their way back to Pittsburgh.
