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Saturday, Oct 24

October 24, 2026

Time
12:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Help Desk

Need a hand? We’re here to help. Stop by the Help Desk for assistance with registration issues, the Fall Conference…

12:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Registration & Badge Pickup

Your Fall Conference experience starts here. Pick up your badge, add ribbons that help tell your conference story, and make…

1:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Pathways to Executive Leadership

Open to registered Pathways to Executive Leadership attendees only. Pathways to Executive Leadership is a 5-session program designed for mid-career…

2:00 pm–​4:30 pm

NAECE Meeting I

Open to members of NAECE and invited guests only. The National Association of Engineering Council Executives (NAECE) is comprised of…

4:30 pm–​5:30 pm

Planning Cabinet Meeting

Open to Planning Cabinet members only. The Planning Cabinet advises the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors on strategic…

5:00 pm–​6:00 pm

ACEC/NAECE Staff Reception

Open to members of NAECE and invited guests only. The National Association of Engineering Council Executives (NAECE) is comprised of…

Sunday, Oct 25

October 25, 2026

Time
8:00 am–​5:00 pm

Pathways to Executive Leadership

Open to registered Pathways to Executive Leadership attendees only. Pathways to Executive Leadership is a 5-session program designed for mid-career…

8:00 am–​6:15 pm

Headshot Booth

Put your best face forward with a fresh professional headshot, courtesy of the ACEC College of Fellows. This self-service experience…

8:00 am–​6:15 pm

Help Desk

Need a hand? We’re here to help. Stop by the Help Desk for assistance with registration issues, the Fall Conference…

8:00 am–​6:15 pm

Registration & Badge Pickup

Your Fall Conference experience starts here. Pick up your badge, add ribbons that help tell your conference story, and make…

8:30 am–​10:00 am

Leadership Breakfast Central

The Leadership Breakfast Central brings together ACEC Board of Directors members for discussion around shared challenges, opportunities, and regional priorities.…

8:30 am–​10:00 am

Leadership Breakfast Mid-Atlantic

The Leadership Breakfast Mid-Atlantic brings together ACEC Board of Directors members from across the region for focused conversation and connection.…

8:30 am–​10:00 am

Leadership Breakfast Mid-West

The Leadership Breakfast Mid-West convenes ACEC Board of Directors members for a working conversation on regional priorities and leadership across…

8:30 am–​10:00 am

Leadership Breakfast Northeast

The Leadership Breakfast Northeast brings together ACEC Board of Directors members for a focused regional conversation on leadership, policy, and…

8:30 am–​10:00 am

Leadership Breakfast Northwest

The Leadership Breakfast Northwest gathers ACEC Board of Directors members from across the region for conversation and connection around key…

8:30 am–​10:00 am

Leadership Breakfast Southeast

The Leadership Breakfast Southeast convenes ACEC Board of Directors members for conversation around regional priorities, leadership challenges, and opportunities for…

8:30 am–​10:00 am

Leadership Breakfast Southwest

The Leadership Breakfast Southwest brings together ACEC Board of Directors members from across the region for focused conversation and connection.…

10:00 am–​1:00 pm

Board of Directors Meeting

The Board of Directors Meeting brings together ACEC’s elected leadership to discuss priorities, initiatives, and the future direction of the…

10:30 am–​11:30 am

Coalition of American Structural Engineers (CASE) Executive Committee

Open to members of the Executive Committee for the Coalition of American Structural Engineers and invited guests only. If you…

12:15 pm–​2:15 pm

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Coalition Executive Committee

Open to members of the Executive Committee for the Coalition of American Mechanical and Electrical Engineers and invited guests only.…

1:15 pm–​2:15 pm

ACEC Board and New Attendee Lunch

Open to members of the Board of Directors, Past Chairs, NAECE and all registered First Time Attendees. Navigate and maximize…

2:30 pm–​4:30 pm

Large Firm CEO Roundtable

Firms with 201-500 employees
2:30 pm–​4:30 pm

Medium Firm CEO Roundtable

Firms with 51-200 employees
2:30 pm–​4:30 pm

NAECE Meeting II

Open to members of NAECE and invited guests only. The National Association of Engineering Council Executives (NAECE) is comprised of…

2:30 pm–​4:30 pm
2:30 pm–​4:30 pm
4:45 pm–​5:45 pm

Coalition of Professional Surveyors (COPS) Executive Committee

Open to members of the Executive Committee for the Coalition of Professional Surveyors and invited guests only. If you are…

4:45 pm–​5:45 pm

DPC Reception

This private event is only open to the individual DPC member, Alternate with their plus ones, and invited guests.

4:45 pm–​5:45 pm

Engineering Excellence Awards Committee

Open to members of the Engineering Excellence Awards Committee only.

4:45 pm–​5:45 pm

Fellows Connect: New Fellows Orientation & Business Meeting

Open to all Full and Sunday Daily attendees. Whether you are a new Fellow, a current member of the College,…

5:00 pm–​6:00 pm
5:15 pm–​6:15 pm

Women’s Leadership Forum Reception

Open to all Full and Sunday Daily attendees.

6:00 pm–​7:00 pm

Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception kicks off the Conference with an evening of networking, conversation, and celebration. It is a chance to…

Monday, Oct 26

October 26, 2026

Time
6:00 am–​7:00 am

Fellows Scholarship Walk

The College of Fellows Charity Walk raises money for the ACEC Scholarship Fund and is open to all attendees and…

7:00 am–​8:00 am

Networking Breakfast with Exhibitors

Open to all Full, Monday Daily, and Guest Attendees. The Networking Breakfast with Exhibitors is a high-energy way to kick…

7:00 am–​5:00 pm

Headshot Booth

Put your best face forward with a fresh professional headshot, courtesy of the ACEC College of Fellows. This self-service experience…

7:00 am–​5:00 pm

Help Desk

Need a hand? We’re here to help. Stop by the Help Desk for assistance with registration issues, the Fall Conference…

7:00 am–​5:00 pm

Registration & Badge Pickup

Your Fall Conference experience starts here. Pick up your badge, add ribbons that help tell your conference story, and make…

8:00 am–​9:45 am

Opening General Session

Jake Wood, Linda Bauer Darr, Alyson Watson, Diana O’Lare, Joe Bates, Thomas Grogan

The Fall Conference opens with a timely look at the forces shaping the engineering industry and the leadership needed to…

8:00 am–​11:30 am
9:45 am–​10:30 am

Networking Break with Exhibitors

Open to all Full and Monday Daily Attendees. The Networking Break with Exhibitors offers a lively pause in the day…

9:50 am–​10:05 am

Simplifying the Technology Journey for AEC Firms

Your technology should simplify how your firm operates – not add complexity. In this session, sa.global will share how one…

9:50 am–​10:05 am

The Evolving R&D Credit Landscape: AI, Amortization and Enhanced Reporting

The R&D tax environment is changing rapidly. This session will cover the impact of artificial intelligence on R&D tax credit…

10:30 am–​11:30 am
10:30 am–​11:30 am

Geoprofessional Coalition Executive Committee

Open to members of the Geoprofessional Executive Committee and invited guests only. If you are interested in joining this meeting,…

10:30 am–​11:30 am

Ignite Innovation: Moving from AI Skepticism to Organizational Intelligence

Chad Sanderson, Holly Buck, PE

Most engineering firm leaders know they need to do something with AI. Almost none of them know what that actually…

10:30 am–​11:30 am

International Committee

Open to all Full and Monday Daily attendees. All conference attendees are welcome to attend the International Committee.

10:30 am–​11:30 am

M&A Without the Drag: How High-Growth AEC Firms Integrate Faster, Scale Smarter, and Protect Their Advantage

M&A drives growth for AEC firms, but operational complexity can erode value. This interactive session explores how fragmented systems, data,…

10:30 am–​11:30 am

Member Engagement and Belonging Committee

Open to all Full and Monday Daily attendees. All conference attendees are welcome to attend the Member Engagement and Belonging…

10:30 am–​11:30 am
10:30 am–​11:30 am

Small Firm Coalition (SFC) Executive Committee

Open to members of the Executive Committee for the Small Firms Coalition and invited guests only. If you are interested…

10:30 am–​11:30 am

The 2026 Economic Assessment and Forecast of the Engineering and Design Services Industry

Joe Bates
Get a data-driven read on where the industry is headed as the Institute unpacks the 2026 Economic Assessment and Forecast's key findings on 2027's headwinds, tailwinds, and the trends every firm leader should be watching for strategic planning, investment, and hiring decisions.
11:45 am–​1:30 pm

General Session Lunch

Josh Linkner, Dan Larson, Dr. Paul Chinowsky, Gregory Kelly

Come together over lunch for new ideas, industry insights, and a shared look at how engineering firms can rethink the…

1:30 pm–​2:15 pm

Networking Break with Exhibitors

The Networking Break with Exhibitors gives attendees a chance to step onto the show floor, enjoy refreshments, and connect with…

1:35 pm–​1:50 pm

Build vs. Buy: Making the Right AI Investment Call in AEC

Discover a practical decision framework for AEC firms navigating when to build custom AI tools versus buying enterprise platforms for…

2:00 pm–​6:00 pm
2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

AI Agents in Practice: How CPL Went From Hand-Built Reports to a Live Plan

At CPL, an 800-person A/E firm with 25 offices, the monthly utilization read was assembled by hand and stale on…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Beyond Backlog: How Talent Shifts and AI Are Reshaping Civil Engineering Firms

Jim Rogers
This session examines the evolving business model of civil engineering firms, offering strategies to counteract margin pressure and succession risk by shifting focus from backlog volume to professional development, relationship capability, and structural resilience. 
2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Committee of Past Chairs

Open to members of the Committee of Past Chairs only.

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

From Fragmented Data to Intelligent Infrastructure

Andy Rahden, Brandye Hendrickson, Joe Bates, Lisa M. Robert, PE
Fragmented data is costing the industry more than it realizes; Joe Bates unveils the Institute's groundbreaking research on the strategic value of connected data across the infrastructure lifecycle and why connected information is becoming the critical foundation for AI-enabled infrastructure.
2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Geoprofessional Roundtable

Earns 1 PDH. Open to all Full and Monday Daily Attendees.

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm
2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Surveyors Roundtable

Earns 1 PDH. Open to all Full and Monday Daily Attendees.

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Water & Environment and Energy Joint Committee

Open to all Full and Monday Daily attendees. Join ACEC's Energy and Water & Environment Committees for a joint meeting…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

When Good Engineering Looks Bad: Explaining Complex Design Decisions to Judges, Juries and Mediators Through Visual Storytelling

Through real-world case studies, learn how graphics, animations, and demonstrative exhibits can transform complex engineering concepts into compelling stories that…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Workforce Committee

Open to all Full and Monday Daily attendees. The purpose of this committee is to consolidate and organize all the…

2:30 pm–​5:30 pm

Pathways to Executive Leadership

Open to registered Pathways to Executive Leadership attendees only. Pathways to Executive Leadership is a 5-session program designed for mid-career…

3:15 pm–​4:00 pm

Networking Break with Exhibitors

The Networking Break with Exhibitors gives attendees a chance to step onto the show floor, enjoy refreshments, and connect with…

3:20 pm–​3:25 pm

Don’t Replace Your Accounting System Yet: 5 Questions A&E Leaders Should Ask First

Growth adds offices, services, people, data and complexity. But does it require a new accounting system? Learn five questions to…

3:20 pm–​3:35 pm

A Look Inside the First Employee-Ownership Study for AE Firms

Chartwell's first Employee-Owned AE Firm Ownership Survey benchmarks 95 firms, 110,000 employees, and 60 ENR Top 500 companies. We compare…

3:30 pm–​5:00 pm

Government Advocacy Coordinating Committee

Open to members of the Government Advocacy Coordinating Committee only.

4:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Engineering an Award-Winning Culture

Keith Foxx, PE, Anna Seekins, JD
Practical Lessons from Building an Award-Winning Workplace
4:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) and Structural Roundtable

Earns 1 PDH. Open to all Full and Monday Daily Attendees.

4:00 pm–​5:00 pm

NAECE Meeting III

Open to members of NAECE and invited guests only. The National Association of Engineering Council Executives (NAECE) is comprised of…

4:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Redesigning the Playing Field: Expanding Competition to Deliver Better Infrastructure

Emily Luster, Esq., ENV SP, Qiana McKoy, Veronica Siranosian, Laura Merryfield
Learn how architecture and engineering firms can partner with public agencies to expand competition, strengthen small business capacity, and build a more resilient infrastructure market.
4:00 pm–​5:00 pm
4:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Technology Committee

The Technology Committee is committed to providing value to our members by engaging and influencing our membership, clients, and future…

4:00 pm–​5:00 pm

The Social Security Crisis & the Retirement Income Challenge: Is Your Workforce Ready?

With Social Security facing long-term uncertainty, turning savings into reliable income is critical. Join the ACEC Retirement Trust to explore…

4:15 pm–​5:15 pm

Fellows Honorees Reception

Join us for an evening of recognition, connection, and shared achievement. This celebratory reception welcomes all ACEC award honorees, scholarship…

5:00 pm–​6:00 pm

Reception with Exhibitors

Open to all registered Full, Monday Daily, and Guest Attendees. The Reception with Exhibitors brings the exhibit hall to life…

5:15 pm–​6:15 pm

Committee of Past Chairs Reception

Open to members of the Committee of Past Chairs and invited guests only.

5:30 pm–​6:30 pm

SEI/Pathways Reception

Open to registered Pathways to Executive Leadership attendees and past Pathways and Senior Executive Institute (SEI) graduates only.

8:00 pm–​11:00 pm

ACEC/PAC Major Donor Reception

Join us for a Wild West Casino Night celebrating ACEC/PAC Major Donors. Enjoy an evening of casino-style games, networking, and…

Tuesday, Oct 27

October 27, 2026

Time
7:00 am–​8:00 am

Fellows Breakfast

Start your day with fellow members of the College of Fellows for a morning of connection, conversation, and inspiration. This…

7:00 am–​8:00 am

NCEES Scholarship Breakfast

Breakfast honoring NCEES Scholarship recipients with ACEC Research Institute and NCEES leadership. Invited guests only.

7:00 am–​8:00 am

Networking Breakfast with Exhibitors

Open to all Full, Monday Daily, and Guest Attendees. The Networking Breakfast with Exhibitors is a high-energy way to kick…

7:00 am–​5:15 pm

Help Desk

Need a hand? We’re here to help. Stop by the Help Desk for assistance with registration issues, the Fall Conference…

7:00 am–​5:15 pm

Registration & Badge Pickup

Your Fall Conference experience starts here. Pick up your badge, add ribbons that help tell your conference story, and make…

8:00 am–​9:30 am

General Session & ACEC/PAC Sweepstakes Drawing

Bruce Mehlman, Dan Larson, Dave Bender, Derek Clyburn, PE, Jeff Flake, Steve Hall

With the midterm elections just days away, this General Session brings together national political perspective and engineering industry leadership for…

8:00 am–​3:00 pm
9:30 am–​10:15 am

Networking Break with Exhibitors

The Networking Break with Exhibitors gives attendees a chance to step onto the show floor, enjoy refreshments, and connect with…

9:35 am–​9:50 am

Your AI ROI is Hiding in Your Project Archives

AEC firms archived years of completed projects to cut storage costs, but that data holds institutional knowledge AI cannot reach.…

10:00 am–​10:15 am

Rethink Your ERP: Acumatica’s Modern Approach for Engineering Firms

Your ERP should support your firm’s growth, not become a roadblock. See how Acumatica brings AI-enabled capabilities, financials, project management,…

10:00 am–​10:15 am

The Fiduciary Shield: Governance Before the Moment Gets Hot

AEC boards protect the firm by making critical risks visible, key decisions owned, and the governing process clear. This rapid-fire…

10:15 am–​11:15 am

AI in the Flow of Work: Turning Project Data into Executive Decisions

Engineering firm leaders: most AI investments over the next 18 months will disappoint. Not because AI is bad. Because features…

10:15 am–​11:15 am

Beyond Billable Hours: Rethinking Pricing for the AI Era

Bill Ashworth, Javier A. Baldor, Kevin J. McMahon, Paul S. Chinowsky
As AI drives efficiency gains, the real question isn't productivity, but whether firms can capture the value they create; join researcher Paul Chinowsky and industry leaders for a candid discussion on moving beyond billable hours to value-based pricing.
10:15 am–​11:15 am

Federal Agencies and Procurement Advocacy Committee

Open to all Full and Tuesday Daily Attendees. The purpose of this Open Committee is to undertake advocacy efforts with…

10:15 am–​11:15 am

Market Intelligence Committee

Market Intelligence Committee’s Housing Market Outlook: Trends, Risks, and Opportunities The housing market continues to be one of the most…

10:15 am–​11:15 am
10:15 am–​11:15 am

TSMC: Engineering the Future at Historic Scale in Phoenix

Adam Perillo, PLA, Cindy Pries, PE, Glenn Muzyka, James Augustyn, Traver Jones, PE
This session, with panelists representing TSMC and their design and construction team, provides an overview of the historically and globally significant TSMC semiconductor manufacturing site here in Phoenix.
10:15 am–​11:15 am

When Strategy Meets Technology: A Microsoft-Powered Path for AEC Firms

Get an inside look at Microsoft’s evolving roadmap for AEC, including platform and AI capabilities and the opportunities they create.…

10:15 am–​11:15 am

Why This Must Be the Year of Agents

Brock M. Storrusten, Chandra Storrusten, Dennis Boone
Why this must be your Year of Agents...and how to make it happen.
11:30 am–​1:45 pm

General Session & Awards Lunch

Phil Hansen, Dan Larson, Linda Bauer Darr

Join the ACEC community over lunch as we recognize the people whose leadership, service, and achievements are making an impact…

1:45 pm–​2:15 pm

Dessert in Exhibit Hall

Open to all Full and Tuesday Daily attendees.

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

ACEC Three Trusts Meeting

A meeting of representatives of the three ACEC Trusts: ACEC Business Insurance Trust, ACEC Life/Health Trust, and ACEC Retirement Trust.…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm
2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Beyond the Prompt: 5 Engineering Firm Workflows Ready for Agentic AI

See how agentic AI can move beyond prompting to improve real engineering-firm workflows. Explore five practical use cases across BD,…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Beyond the Prompt: 5 Engineering Firm Workflows Ready for Agentic AI

See how agentic AI can move beyond prompting to improve real engineering-firm workflows. Explore five practical use cases across BD,…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Fellows Committee

Join members of the College of Fellows Committee for updates on current initiatives, committee acitivities, and upcoming programs. This meeting…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Land Development Coalition (LDC) Executive Committee

Open to members of the Land Development Coalition Executive Committee and invited guests only. If you are interested in joining…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm
2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Strategy in the Age of Disruption: Future-Proofing Your AEC Firm Before the Ground Shifts

AI is reshaping AEC, but what really matters for your firm’s strategic growth plans? Cut through the hype and explore…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Tax & Regulatory Affairs Committee

All Full and Tuesday Daily attendees are welcome to join the Tax & Regulatory Affairs Committee as we discuss key…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Transportation Committee

Open to all Full and Tuesday Daily attendees. The Transportation Committee promotes responsible legislation and regulations on transportation infrastructure issues…

2:15 pm–​3:15 pm

Your Talent Gap Isn’t a Pipeline Problem. It’s a Leadership Design Problem

Courtney Salati, Melanie Oliver
Most firms try to strengthen leadership one program at a time; the firms that gain traction treat it as a system to be designed.
3:00 pm–​5:00 pm

Nominating Committee

Open to members of the Nominating Committee Only.

3:15 pm–​3:30 pm
3:30 pm–​4:30 pm

ACEC/PAC Champions

Open to ACEC/PAC Champions, their alternates, and MO Executive Directors Only. The biannual meeting of the PAC Champions Committee will…

3:30 pm–​4:30 pm

Coalition Leaders Executive Committee

Open to members of the Coalition Leaders Executive Committee only.

3:30 pm–​4:30 pm
3:30 pm–​4:30 pm

From Engineer to Leader: Reducing Risk When Promoting Technical Talent

Krishna Powell
Learn how engineering firms can successfully transition top technical talent into effective leaders, reducing turnover, strengthening succession planning, and improving team performance and business results.
3:30 pm–​4:30 pm
5:00 pm–​6:30 pm

Wednesday, Oct 28

October 28, 2026

Time
7:00 am–​9:30 am

Registration & Badge Pickup

Your Fall Conference experience starts here. Pick up your badge, add ribbons that help tell your conference story, and make…

7:30 am–​8:30 am

Continental Breakfast

Open to all Full and Wednesday Daily attendees.

8:00 am–​3:00 pm

ACEC/PAC Golf Tournament

Spend Wednesday on the Talon Course at Grayhawk Golf Club for a day of friendly competition and networking with colleagues,…

8:30 am–​9:30 am

Unlocking Fast Starters, Last Minuters, & Everyone In Between

Skot Waldron
Understand different work styles, stop mislabeling them, and start working better with others.
9:30 am–​9:45 am
9:45 am–​10:45 am

New Strategies for the Next Generation of Engineering Ownership

Brad Wilson
A new generation of engineers requires a new approach to ownership transition.
9:45 am–​10:45 am

“I’m Tired of AI”: Understanding AI Fatigue and How to Manage the Risks It Poses

Staci Brinson, Tahra Porterfield
A discussion on AI fatigue, how it is affecting engineering practices, and how to strike a balance.