AOD conference deemed a success.

The New York construction law firm of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP recently served as chair of the Association of Owners and Developers (AOD) 2005 national conference, From Concept To Completion: Planning, Financing and Executing A Successful Construction Project.

The conference, attended by 200 professionals from real estate owners/developers to construction managers, architects, interior designers, attorneys, financiers and public policy makers was held at Manhattan's Barclay Intercontinental Hotel.

The conference consisted of multiple panels addressing topics that ranged from the latest in security technology to the adoption of a new New York City Building Code to building "green." Panelists were selected from leaders across a broad range of industries and government agencies including Marsh, Marriott International, The Related Companies, SafirRosetti, New York Department of Buildings, RFR Realty, Bovis Lend Lease Americas, Fox & Fowle Architects, Rudin Management, Battery Park City Authority, Princeton University, NYU Real Estate Institute and the New York Assembly.

The conference produced inspired audience participation, lively debates and question and answer sessions. Architect, author and security design consultant Barbara Nadel presented designs that successfully blend a balance of security and openness, known as "transparent security." Stephen T. Colo, Senior Vice President of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), discussed the convergence of physical and cyber security and technologies being developed today that will provide compact security equipment capable of functioning 10,000 times faster than today's cellular telephone chip.

Several members of the Prevention and Resolution of Claims panel advised developers that it is best to introduce independent external construction consultants at the earliest stages of a project to plan against cost overruns and mitigate potential damage.

"We were delighted with the thought-provoking observations our panelists provided to the audience," said Michael Zetlin. "We are most appreciative of each panelist's contribution to the success of the AOD New York Conference and are proud to have served as the chair of the event."

"We believe the AOD conference served as a platform for all types of professionals engaged in the construction process to come together, learn from one another, increase appreciation for each other's expertise and viewpoints and to possibly collaborate on future projects," said Michael De Chiara.