Registration + Check In: 9:00a-9:50a
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What does it really take to run a financially successful construction company? In this lunch keynote, hear directly from three general contractors representing small, medium, and large firms as they share how they approach the financial side of the business. Through a moderated discussion and audience Q&A, panelists will explore topics including cash flow, job profitability, labor and material costs, change orders, risk management, forecasting, growth, and the financial decisions that shape project and company performance. Whether you work in the field, manage projects, or lead a company, this conversation will offer practical insight into the numbers behind successful construction.
Lunch Keynote: 12:30p-1:30p
Session 1: 10a-11a
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Presented by Chris Kuehl
Is there an industry that feels volatility more than construction? That is very unlikely as the sector is pulled by changes in the supply chain constantly and at the same time the consumer base is fickle and unpredictable. Everything seems to matter. Financing, labor supply, government demands and so on. What does the sector look like through the rest of 2026 and into 2027?
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Presented by Matthew Horn
The presentation will cover important OSHA updates for 2026, including those relating to OSHA’s current activities and OSHA’s ongoing enforcement efforts. The presentation will also cover the typical progression of an OSHA inspection and provide practical tips for successfully managing an OSHA inspection and ensuring no citations are issued. Finally, the presentation will discuss how to handle OSHA citations in the event they are received. Plan to join Matthew Horn with AmundsenDavis for this timely update!
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Presented by Joel Thames
Strong leadership is one of the most valuable assets in construction. This session will explore practical strategies for developing leaders across your organization, improving communication, increasing accountability, and creating a culture that drives performance. Attendees will gain actionable tools to lead teams more effectively, navigate challenges, and inspire the next generation of industry leaders.
Session 2: 11:15a-12:15p
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Presented by Joe Xavier
For too long the industry has relied on observable safety habits of the frontline workforce. Learn the importance of engaging, equipping, and supporting the human beings who are at the center of how construction gets done. Total Human Health combines three major elements, the whole person approach, a psychologically safe workplace, and addressing distraction and impairment with appropriate care.
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Presented by Adam San Juan
Working in construction comes with its own unique financial challenges, from fluctuating workloads and overtime to planning for the future. This session will break down personal finance fundamentals in a practical and approachable way, helping attendees better understand budgeting, managing debt, building savings, credit, retirement planning, and making smart financial decisions. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to strengthen your financial foundation, this session will provide practical tools and strategies to help you take control of your personal finances and build long-term financial security.
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Presented by Lou Perez
Most AI conversations skip right past the contractors who'd benefit most from it, the 15-person GC juggling three jobsites with two people in the office. This session is a practical, no-pitch look at where AI already earns its keep in small and mid-sized construction businesses: catching payroll errors before they cost you, turning a photo of a paper time card into usable data, flagging certified payroll and prevailing wage issues before an audit does, and helping a lean team schedule crews across more jobs without adding headcount.
We'll walk through real examples, including how Lumber's own AI agents (Paper Timecard Agent, Timesheet Reviewer, Payroll Anomaly Detector, Compliance Assist, and SmartPlanner) tackle these problems today, and talk candidly about what AI can't do yet. You'll leave with a simple framework for spotting where AI fits in your operation, and why the contractors who get this right are also the ones winning the next generation of field and office talent. Nobody wants to join a company still running payroll off a spreadsheet.
Session 3: 1:45p-2:45p
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Presented by Jeff Risch & Wyatt Quigley
Human resources plays a critical role in managing organizational risk. In this interactive panel discussion, HR professionals and industry experts will discuss best practices for hiring, onboarding, employee relations, workplace investigations, compliance, retention, documentation, and emerging workforce challenges. Attendees will learn how proactive HR strategies can reduce risk, strengthen company culture, and support long-term business growth.
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Presented by Jennifer Kirkman
Illinois doesn't make certified payroll easy. Between the mandatory electronic reporting portal, PA 100-1177's specific formatting requirements, and a two-strikes-in-five-years rule that can debar a contractor from public work for four years, one missed field on a certified payroll report can turn into a real problem fast — especially with 2025's expanded penalties and updated apprentice fringe benefit rules now in effect. Jennifer Kirkman, founder of Compliance Chaos Coordinators, spends her days doing exactly this: helping contractors clear audits, untangle frozen funding, and fix certified payroll before an audit finds it first. With 18+ years in construction and hands-on certified payroll reporting expertise, she's built her practice around the moment things go wrong. In this session, she'll walk through what auditors actually look for on a certified payroll review, the reporting mistakes she sees Illinois contractors make most often, and a practical checklist for staying audit-ready without a full-time compliance department. This is a working session for anyone who touches prevailing wage payroll in Illinois — a survival guide, not a sales pitch.
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Presented by Aerotek & Tradesmen International
As the construction industry continues to face workforce shortages, companies must rethink how they attract, engage, and retain talent. This session will explore current labor market trends, workforce development initiatives, and emerging technologies—including AI-powered recruiting tools—that can help contractors identify qualified candidates, strengthen hiring processes, and build sustainable talent pipelines.