Rapid-Fire Sessions - ACEC - 2026 Fall Conference

October 26, 2026

Time
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 connected platform can bring your business together, put AI to work effectively, and support sustainable growth.
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 claims, recent developments surrounding Section 174 and state decoupling, and what companies need to know to prepare for upcoming Form 6765 Section G reporting requirements.
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 maximum ROI.
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 judges, juries, and mediators understand, helping good engineering receive a fair hearing.
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 determine whether your A&E firm should optimize its current technology, augment it with new capabilities, or replace it.
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 ESOP and privately held models — participation, valuation, affordability, and repurchase obligation — and explore insights and learnings from the data.

October 27, 2026

Time
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. Benjamin Fuller, Field CTO at Nasuni, explains why firms should classify, enrich, and keep project data accessible so AI can speed bid creation and apply past lessons.
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, resources, documents, and CRM together in one open platform to reduce silos, improve visibility, and help you scale.
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 session shows how fiduciary shields get thin, and how a strong Governance OS keeps boards from drifting into exposure.