The Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) held its first educational conference of the year, entitled "Infrastructure Summit 2013: Are We Ready to Support New York's Growth?" The program took place on Wednesday, February 6. Scott Rutter, CPA, CVA, partner at Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP moderated the conference. The program featured a panel of experts from organizations involved in current infrastructure projects, including Frank Rapoport, partner at Peckar & Abramson P.C., Denise Richardson, managing director at the General Contractors Association of N.Y., Hilary Ring, senior director of capital programs at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Carter Strickland, commissioner of the N.Y.C. Dept. of Environmental Protection. Panelists examined infrastructure developments currently underway throughout the five boroughs, including the East Side Access project, the extension of the 7 train to the Far West Side in Manhattan and the Second Avenue Subway, and discussed the technical aspects involved in their construction. The session also provided insight into utilizing public-private partnerships to support these types of infrastructure projects, and highlighted the importance of financing in supporting growth and shaping the future of New York City. About The Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) The Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) consists of 28 trade union contractor associations, representing the 1,700 construction managers, general contractors and specialty subcontractor firms in New York City, who employ 125,000 tradespeople. Members range in size from multi-billion dollar internationally recognized firms to small and mid-sized specialty trade contracting firms. The BTEA works to advance the interest of New York City Construction Trade Associations and their corporate members, recognizing that a vibrant unionized construction industry is essential to the economic future of New York City. For more information, visit http://www.bteany.com.