2026 Convention Program & Auction Catalog 21 Luxury Suite Raffle Back by popular demand! During Sunday night’s Annual Auction, PCCA President & CEO Tim Wagner is again raffling off his luxurious suite—this time for the 2027 PCCA Convention at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Last year, the suite raffle proved to be an exciting addition to the Auction and provided a big financial boost to PCCA programs. We are raffling off the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort’s fabulous Atlantic Suite for seven nights—from 3/4/27 to 3/11/27. Where the ocean meets luxury— the 1,700 square foot Atlantic Suite offers sweeping sea views, elegant design, and spacious comfort. Wake up to the rhythm of the waves and unwind in a retreat that captures the essence of Rio Mar’s coastal beauty. When you sit down for dinner at this year’s Auction, you’ll find a 2026 Convention Suite raffle form at your table. Don’t miss your chance to win this coveted $21,000 suite, which could be yours for as little as $1,000 — a rare opportunity to indulge in beachfront luxury! Important Education Activities The Auction has been bankrolling PCCA’s education programs for years, first the Young Construction Professionals and now the Leadership Development Program, the PCCA Scholarship Program, educational speakers at our meetings, and the Who Will Do the Work? program, which develops and implements utility construction curriculums at technical schools and community colleges. PCCA awards four $10,000 scholarships each year to the children and other dependents of PCCA members’ employees as well as the $1,000 Who Will Do the Work? Scholarship for students at PCCA-affiliated schools. During the 2025 PCCA Convention, the PCCA Education & Research Foundation announced the recipients of the 2025-2026 PCCA scholarships: Hudson Jones, Addison Becht, Logan Polenz, and Alexandra Ehrhardt. The foundation also announced the recipients of the Who Will Do the Work? scholarships: Blake Tharp, Preston Serini, Micah Danner, Nathaniel Banfield, and Carter Plymale, all students at the State Technical College of Missouri. Workforce Development The worker shortage crisis affects almost all industries and greatly hinders American business. As the companies that build America’s electric power facilities and broadband networks, PCCA members know that projects that could bring vital broadband connectivity to rural America sit idle, awaiting crews to run them. And they see energy projects languish without necessary workers. To battle the worker shortage, PCCA partners with technical schools and community colleges to create utility construction programs, participates in Department of Labor apprenticeship programs, and provides scholarships for students looking to work in the construction industry. PCCA members have beefed up their recruiting staffs and greatly broadened their recruiting and retention strategies. Yet, we all still need workers. PCCA has been working with individual states on their efforts to bolster the workforce, particularly on the broadband side. PCCA is now working with the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, the Wisconsin Broadband Workforce Coalition, and the Mississippi Broadband Association. PCCA has also partnered with the Learning Alliance Corporation (LAC) to aid PCCA contractors in recruiting and retaining a much-needed workforce. LAC provides educational opportunities, diplomas, and certifications in the telecommunications industry, focusing on helping individuals to get trained, get certified, and obtain a career in a high-skill, high-wage occupation.
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