Students, educators, and industry professionals made their way around the Georgia International Convention Center and six acres of equipment and exhibits. They wore hard-hats with the CEFGA Expo 2009 logo, and safety glasses to ensure their protection. One might have thought some serious construction work was taking place, but those participating were just enjoying another successful year of the CEFGA Expo and SkillsUSA State Championships.

The Expo, which had previously been at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, made a first-year splash at the Georgia International Convention Center, April 16-17, 2009. The new and roomier home saw 4,510 students pass through its doors, along with 770 education representatives, and 865 industry professionals over the course of two days.

A grand total of 6,145 people attended this year's Expo and SkillsUSA State Championships. That represented a 46% increase in attendance over last year.

School busses full of students came from as far as Camden County High School near the Florida border in the south and as far Chattanooga TN in the north. All totaled, 191 schools participated in this year’s event.

New South Construction, teamed with other area general contractors to present to the students “The World of General Contracting.” Through activities and hands on interaction, students learned about project scheduling, safety, cost control, quality management, and BIM. New South Estimators, Project Managers, Superintendents and even Project Accountants volunteered at the event, teaching others about their daily jobs and the construction industry as a whole.