Schedule is subject to change.
Monday, October 21
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Education Session — Shaping the Future: Assembling Elite Technology Talent for Your Firm
Hosted by the ACEC Technology Committee
Eric Quinn, C&S; Markus Weidner, Pennoni;
Learn how leading Chief Information Officers are assembling elite teams to manage AI, Automation Cybersecurity and address complex technology issues.
Education Session — Engineering Economics: Assessing the Impact and Forecasting the Future
Joe Bates, ACEC Research Institute; John Gray, Rockport Analytics
Join our dynamic discussion on the 2024 Economic Assessment and Forecast, exploring the impact of the U.S. Economy on the Engineering and Design Services sector. The latest findings from the Institute’s annual economic assessment and quarterly Engineering Business Sentiment study will be shared, providing a comprehensive view of industry health and future outlook.
Education Session — The Future of Engineering Leadership: An ACEC/Michigan Study on the Motivations and Expectations of the Next Generation of Firm and Industry Leaders
Melanie Oliver, Mpact Partners; Steven Gravlin, Michael Baker International; Ron Brenke, ACEC Michigan
The AEC consulting industry faces critical challenges amid technological shifts, workforce diversity, and evolving cultural norms. Join this presentation for insights into the next generation of leadership for ACEC member firms.
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
Education Session — AI in Action: Wade Trim’s Blueprint for Innovation and Growth
Hosted by the ACEC Technology Committee
Mehdi Nourbakhsh, Yega Tech; Timothy O’Rourke, Wade Trim
The exploding AI startup ecosystem, now home to over 10,000 startups dedicated to the AEC industry, presents a unique challenge for technology and innovation leaders in the AEC sector: for formidable task of evaluating an overwhelming array of new tools and technologies. This presentation explores the AI journey of Wade Trim, and an internal transformation and culture shift towards innovation and agility. Attendees will learn about the importance of leadership in driving culture change, the benefits of a proactive approach to technology adoption, and the transformative impact of AI on business processes and outcomes.
Education Session — Driving the Bottom Line Through Workplace Culture and Workforce Engagement
Hosted by ACEC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) Committee
Joe Bates, ACEC Research Institute
The ACEC Research Institute has recently completed groundbreaking work focused on the business case for investing in workplace culture and workforce engagement. At this session you will hear the results of these studies that inform our industry on how to drive the bottom line through workplace culture and create an environment where employees are motivated, engaged, and aligned with the company's goals, leading to improved productivity, innovation, and profitability.
Education Session — 2024 Design Professional Claims Study — Insights/Trends & Effectively Managing Your Professional Liability Insurance
Hosted by the Coalition of American Structural Engineers (CASE)
Rob Hughes, Ames & Gough Insurance/Risk Management Inc.
Hear about professional liability risk and claims trends and their impact on the broader professional liability insurance market conditions, which helps firms to better position themselves to minimize cost while maximizing coverage. Attendees will walk away with a unique understanding of risks trends, including claim frequency and severity by region, service discipline, and project types.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Education Session — Empowering Your Team: Essential AI and Tech Training for AEC Professionals
Hosted by ACEC Technology Committee
Kristin Kautz, Zweig Group, LLC
With new AI tools emerging at lighting speed, it’s becoming harder to determine which are most useful. This session will help attendees separate what is needed from what isn’t to find the tools that are most aligned with the needs of an AEC firm. Whether you are looking to enhance your workflow, or aiming to better equip your whole team, this session is for you.
Education Session — Rewards that Resonate: Today's AEC Firm Total Rewards Strategies
Julie Hasiba, Environmental Financial Consulting Group
Take a structured approach to the employee experience and understand strategies firms are implementing to help recruit and retain talent. Panelists will share their journeys in developing a total rewards strategy that resonates with their culture and people and how these approaches have impacted recruitment, retention, and value creation.
Education Session — Avoid the Wrecking Ball Hidden in Acquisitions & Private Equity
DeWayne Ables, Pioneer iQ, LLC
The biggest disruption for many firms in our industry in the coming years is not the economy, project volume, or talent. It's the negative impact on cultures and people in firms that are being acquired by a peer firm or a Private Equity group. This session focuses on how to synchronize the existing purpose, beliefs, and culture post-acquisition, and how to maximize the potential of people, teams, and organizations throughout the process.
Tuesday, October 22
10:15 am – 11:15 am
Education Session — The AI Imperative: A Trailblazer's Perspective
Hosted by ACEC Technology Committee
Eileen Canady, BST Global
Artificial intelligence and big data are changing the face of the AEC industry. This session focuses on how to adapt to this new landscape. Discuss what the first few steps on your AI journey can look like and what AI essentials you’ll need to have in place to achieve long-term success. Beyond that, this session will focus on why traditional business models will be upended with the rise of AI, and offer predictions on what a new AI-driven marketplace might look like.
Education Session — Business Succession (Tips, Trends, and New Options)
Michelle Generaux, Murtaugh Treglia Stern & Deily LLP
Understand the basic principles of business succession, including tips, trends, and new options to consider. Focus areas include key components of a succession plan, considerations for any internal transition plan, as well as the sale of your business to a third-party.
Education Session — Embracing Progressive Design-Build in Modern Engineering
Hosted by CASE and The Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC)
Zachary Jones, Jones Law, PLLC
Explore the transformative potential of progressive design-build in today’s dynamic project delivery landscape by delving into the practical considerations of early collaboration between owners and the design-builder team, the integration of innovative contract practices, and the strategic management of project risks and opportunities. Gain insights into the progressive design build process with real world examples and actionable strategies to apply these principles to achieve superior project outcomes.
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Education Session — Mastering AI Adoption: Essential Guidelines for ACEC Members
Hosted by ACEC Technology Committee
Mark Blankenship, Willis – A&E; Catherine Bragg, TRC Companies, Inc.; David Mulholland, VHB
Please join the co-chairs of the ACEC Risk Management Committee’s Subcommittee on Artificial Intelligence for an interactive discussion of the Subcommittee’s recommended elements for artificial intelligence policies specific to engineering firms. The program will start with an overview and purpose of the guidelines, including governance, approvals, and authorizations. This session will also consider unapproved uses of AI.
Education Session — How to Benefit from Private Investment in the A&E Industry — Even if you Don't Take a Dollar
Brooke Navarro, FMI Capital Advisors
Learn about profiles of businesses participating in the mergers and acquisitions market and gain practical tips to position your firm for investment and to attract buyers, as well those seeking creative ways to stand out against the competition in the fast-changing landscape. Discover the themes underpinning investment activity, including untapped opportunities to drive exponential growth in their firms, as well as which markets show the most long-term growth potential.
Education Session — Life & Human Health
Hosted by Coalition of American Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (CAMEE) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Kimberly Mercier, Lighting Design Innovations
3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Education Session — AEC Tech Ventures: Empowering Client Decisions with Innovative Solutions
Hosted by ACEC Technology Committee
Timothy Miller, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
This discussion focuses on how designing technology solutions helps empower clients to make better decisions. Faced with staff turnover and brain drain, public agencies often confront the reality of needing to deliver a growing list of capital projects without enough resources. Our goal as consultants and design professionals is to give clients an easy button, which leads to high levels of client service and increased profitability. Participants will learn how developing software and technology solutions, for both internal and external partners, can add value while enhancing and expanding consulting services and ow to use those tools to provide the data and actionable intelligence to support an agency’s decision-making process.
Education Session — Transitioning to NAPGD 2022 and NATRF 2022: Understanding the Future of GEO Spatial Systems (GPS)
Hosted by Coalition of Professional Surveyors (COPS)
David Doyle, National Geodetic Survey
Education Session — Building Shareholder Value: Understanding the Link Between Financial Performance and Enterprise Value
Matthew Fultz, Matheson Financial Advisors; Tom Pace, Thomas & Hutton
Explore the link between financial performance and enterprise value and how to build shareholder value. Our panel of AEC industry experts will discuss strategic growth, increasing profits, maximizing profit margins, cash flow, and capitalization that enhance shareholder value.
Wednesday, October 23
8:30 am – 9:30 am
Education Session — Unlocking Business Growth in AEC: Harness AI for Success
Hosted by ACEC Technology Committee
Jen Newman, Elevate Marketing Advisor; Joy Guinn, Guinn Consulting Engineers
Explore AI's transformative role in the A/E/C industry and how it can revolutionize business development. Gain insights into techniques for AI, all aimed at driving sustainable growth and strategic innovation within the industry. Through real-world examples, the program will demonstrate the operation and strategic benefits of integrating AI into business development efforts.
Education Session — Soft Skills for Engineers: Building the Necessary Skills for the Future of the AE Industry
Sarah Thornhill, Morrissey Goodale LLC
As AI and technology continue to evolve and take on a greater share of the analytical workload, the role of an engineer will progressively emphasize more soft skills. These essential abilities are crucial for engaging with clients, collaborating effectively with team members, and communicating project details to the public.
9:45 am – 10:45 am
Education Session — Seller-Doer Business Development Best Practices & Strategies for A/E/C Professionals
Julie Wanzer, Business Rewritten, Inc.
Create value for your clients, where trust becomes your currency to win more work through strategic A/E/C business development best practices. This presentation includes strategies for seller-doer time management, client development, networking with a purpose and how to create ongoing relationships in the A/E/C industry. Learn more about what to do before, during, and after business development events like large client meetings, professional happy hours, industry-association events, and conferences.
Education Session — Burnout: How to Recognize and Respond
Geri Boyer, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC
Burnout stands out as one of the foremost issues confronting the workforce today, with people grappling with exhaustion and the weight of constant virtual interactions. Yet, employers can wield significant influence in mitigating its effects. Learn how to pinpoint burnout, address underlying organizational stressors, formulate responsive interventions, and develop proactive measures to prevent its recurrence. By nurturing the mental well-being of employees, businesses can not only enhance productivity and engagement but also foster a culture of holistic health and wellness.