ABC Florida Gulf Coast

10/15/2026

An evening well spent at Ci**rs International Superstore! 🥃 Thank you to our members who joined us for our Cigar Social and took some time to unwind and connect with others in the industry.

**rsInternational

10/13/2026

Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida has released its statewide candidate endorsements for the upcoming election.

As the voice of Florida's merit shop construction industry, ABC remains committed to advocating for policies that support free enterprise, workforce development, economic growth, and a strong construction industry.

🔗 View ABC of Florida's statewide endorsements here:

https://abcflorida.com/politics/

Politics November 2026 General Election Endorsements Statewide Races US SenateAshley Moody GovernorByron Donalds / Bryan Avila (LG) Attorney GeneralJames Uthmeier Chief Financial OfficerBlaise Ingoglia Commissioner of AgricultureWilton Simpson Florida Senate District 2Jay Trumbull District 6Jennifer...

10/13/2026

Affordability Starts with a Conversation!

ABC Florida Gulf Coast hosted Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds for a roundtable discussion focused on affordability and the challenges facing Florida's construction industry.

ABC members and local business leaders discussed streamlining the permitting process, rising insurance and energy costs, workforce shortages, and improving hurricane recovery efforts.

These issues directly impact the cost of construction, housing affordability, and Florida's ability to continue growing.

We appreciate Congressman Donalds taking the time to hear directly from voters, contractors, and business leaders about the challenges facing our communities.

Thank you to Tampa Bay 28 for covering the discussion!

Read the story:

Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly each offered different approaches to bringing down homeowner insurance premiums as Florida's midterm elections approach.

10/12/2026

ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter hosted Florida gubernatorial candidate Congressman Byron Donalds at our office for a roundtable discussion focused on affordability.

The conversation covered several important topics, including streamlining the permitting process, rising insurance costs, hurricane recovery, housing affordability, and the challenges facing Florida businesses and families.

We appreciate Congressman Donalds taking the time to hear directly from voters about the challenges they face and the opportunities to keep Florida growing and affordable.

10/09/2026

Great meeting in St. Petersburg!

ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter leaders met with Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna to discuss issues impacting our construction industry, workforce development, and the importance of supporting our merit shop contractors.

Thank you, Congresswoman Luna, for taking the time to meet with ABC!

10/09/2026

Thirty years on a job site teaches you things no textbook ever could.

Johnny Limbaugh, Director at Rycon Construction, has spent his career surrounding himself with the best — and making sure the next generation gets that same access. For him, ABC is the room where real relationships get built, where a new hire from FGCU gets to sit across from someone who's seen it all, and where that human connection becomes the foundation of a career.

▶️ Watch to hear more.

🔗 Learn more: abcflgulf.org

10/08/2026

Kyle Shank has been part of ABC chapters in New York, North Carolina, and Florida. On ABC Florida Gulf Coast: "It's probably the best chapter I've been a part of."

And NEXGEN? When a class showed up on Kyle's calendar, the reaction was instant — "Oh, that's awesome. I get to see this person. I get to do this."

Kyle Shank, Senior Project Manager at Schaefer General Contracting, on what makes NEXGEN the one worth looking forward to every month.

Catch the full episode on our YouTube channel or stream it on Libsyn.

▶️ https://youtu.be/0iG4cj4R1gE

🎙️https://sites.libsyn.com/509958/building-the-next-generation-of-construction-leaders-nexgen-class-of-2027-blueprints-banter

10/06/2026

Over the last two nights, ABC Florida Gulf Coast partnered with AECOM Hunt, Turner Construction Company and HORUS Construction to host contractor outreach events for the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium project.

The response was incredible. Well over 400 people representing hundreds of construction firms attended to learn more about prequalification, scopes of work, project schedules and the opportunities ahead.

This is exactly why ABC gets involved. We want to make sure our contractors have a seat at the table, access to information and an opportunity to compete for the work.

A major project like this means more than a new stadium. It means opportunities for local contractors, good construction careers, apprenticeships and millions of dollars of economic activity throughout Tampa Bay.

Thank you to AECOM Hunt, Turner and HORUS for working with ABC to connect directly with the construction community.

Tampa Bay is ready to build! 🏗️⚾️

10/05/2026

"It hits different when it comes from another member."

Laura Gross, our Executive Vice President, on why the most powerful membership recruitment tool the chapter has is the members already in it — and what happens when those members start telling their story to the right companies.

▶️ Watch to hear more.

Full episode out now:

▶️ https://youtu.be/r3z4FVk5rwU
🎙️https://sites.libsyn.com/509958/2026-mid-year-recap-steve-cona-iii-laura-gross-blueprints-banter

10/05/2026

Last week, women of our chapter came together at Burntwood Tavern in Fort Myers for an evening of connection, conversation, and a little fun behind the bar! 🍸✨

From intentional networking to a hands-on mixology experience, the evening was all about bringing women in our industry together to build relationships, make new connections, and strengthen our construction community.