Breakfast Keynote - Greg Sizemore

  • You can’t build greatness without a strong foundation, and as a leader, you are the cornerstone of your organization’s health and safety culture. Discover proven best practices to establish and strengthen a culture that drives industry-leading performance and delivers world-class health and safety results.

  • In today's workplace, up to five generations work side by side, each bringing their own communication styles, work preferences, and expectations. Join Adam San Juan, author and workplace dynamics expert, as he shares practical strategies for turning generational differences into organizational strengths. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, you'll learn how to adapt your communication and management approaches to effectively engage Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z team members. Drawing from his 25 years of experience and his published works on human dynamics, Adam will reveal proven techniques for building cohesive, high-performing teams across generational lines. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your multi-generational workplace from a challenge into a competitive advantage.

Lunch Keynote - Adam San Juan

Session 1: 10a-11a

  • Presented by DeAnna Thomas

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Learn how to create a positive employment experience.

    • Gain insights into managing challenging employee behaviors and performance issues.

    • Develop skills for conducting difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism.

    • Understand the importance of documentation and maintaining accurate records.

  • Presented by Aaron Mills

    We will be reviewing construction company income statements and balance sheets; looking for the hidden landmines in the financials and will illustrate the importance of financial statements with the goal of understanding financials to understand your numbers as well as to simplify the financials into a few KPI (Key Performance Indicators) to make them understandable, even without a finance degree.  We will teach how to translate the financials so that you can make better decisions that will lead to more profits.

  • Presented by Mike Bellaman

    Trust is the X factor in organizations and greatly affects performance and innovation. Learn how to transform your culture into a high trust environment.

  • Presented by Lou Perez

    Discover how AI-powered technologies and digital solutions are transforming the construction industry by streamlining operations and credential management. This session will highlight innovative hiring practices and workforce engagement strategies designed to attract, develop, and retain the next generation of skilled construction professionals, ensuring a competitive and future-ready workforce.

  • Presented by Fred Meeske, Jad Chalhoub

    AI is a horizontal enablement layer that is touching every single aspect of our lives, sparking curiosity, excitement, and fear in a vicious cycle. In this session, we will discuss the implication of AI on the construction industry, and how we will, hopefully, coexist.

Session 2: 11:15a-12:15p

  • Join Zach Giglio for an engaging and hands-on presentation designed to equip construction professionals with the foundational knowledge and practical strategies needed to harness the power of AI. This session will demystify AI’s role in the construction industry and provide a roadmap for companies of all sizes to integrate cost-effective solutions that drive efficiency and growth. Key topics include:

    • Understanding AI in Construction: Core principles that ensure long-term adaptability as technology evolves.

    • Practical AI Applications: Real-world examples of AI enhancing construction business operations, including:

      • Automating proposal writing using insights from past projects.

      • Streamlining project management and reporting workflows.

      • Reducing administrative burdens with off-the-shelf AI tools.

    • Overcoming Skepticism: Strategies for demonstrating AI’s measurable value to leadership while ensuring low-cost, scalable implementation.

    This session will provide attendees with a clear understanding of how AI can be leveraged to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly technology-driven industry.

  • Presented by Kristi Pronovost

    Ready to stand out in a crowded market? This dynamic session reveals proven marketing tactics for busy construction professionals. Dive into time-saving AI-driven content generation, streamlined omnichannel campaign-building strategies and easy-to-implement digital marketing tools to elevate your company’s visibility. Expect practical, step-by-step guidance to sharpen your brand, attract leads and boost your bottom line. No matter your firm’s size or marketing experience, you’ll leave with ready-to-use, transformative insights that deliver real results.

  • Presented by Josh Sherrard

    Most business owners unknowingly give away tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars each year to the Taxman. This session reveals how to legally and strategically reclaim 40–60% of those dollars and reinvest them where they belong: in your business growth.

  • Presented by Dillon Mitchell

    Commercial Construction has an annual spend in the United States of $1 Trillion and another $1 Trillion in Residential Construction. Meaning you have a lot of opportunities in the world of construction. This presentation will walk through the possibilities Construction has to offer from someone who’s completed $1 billion of commercial construction projects across the country as a Professional Electrical Engineer.

  • Presented by Joel Hoffman

    Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming more than a buzzword in construction—it’s becoming a practical tool shaping how projects are planned, built, and managed. In this session, we’ll set the foundation with shared terminology so you can cut through the noise and understand what AI really means for our industry.

    You’ll learn how AI can work for you—from streamlining project scheduling to improving safety, enhancing decision-making, and unlocking new efficiencies. We’ll highlight real-world examples of how construction companies are already applying AI solutions to reduce costs, accelerate timelines, and boost productivity.
    Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or looking to implement it into your workflows, this session will show you how the right technologies can help you build smarter, work faster, and stay ahead of the curve.

Session 3: 2:15p-3:15p

  • Presented by Jeff Risch

    This session will focus on identifying key legal mandates on a local, state and federal level that all Illinois construction industry employers must know, note and adopt in order to help ensure compliance with new and developing labor and employment obligations.  ABC of Illinois’ Chapter Labor Counsel, Jeff Risch, will not only examine the law, but will offer practical advice and guidance on how to effectively comply in the most efficient way possible.  Sample policies and easy to review HR checklists will be shared.

  • Presented by Katie George

    Discover how cutting-edge technology is reshaping workforce development, equipping individuals with the skills needed for success in an ever-evolving job market. This session explores innovative tools such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and AI-driven solutions that are bridging the gap between education and industry. Gain insights into how these technologies enhance accessibility, provide hands-on training opportunities, and deliver real-time workforce analytics to align talent development with industry needs.

  • Presented by Phil Hayes

    In this session, we'll explore how underwriters assess risk and how your business can strategically position itself to secure the best pricing. By understanding key factors like your claims' history, safety measures, and financial stability, you can build a compelling narrative that attracts competition among carriers. The more carriers interested in writing your business, the better pricing you’ll achieve. Learn how to effectively present your company, generate multiple bids, and leverage relationships with underwriters to navigate the market and secure optimal outcomes.

  • Presented by Girish Ramachandra

    For decades, prevailing wage compliance has been reactive and resource-intensive. Now, Agentic AI is ushering in a new era of intelligent, autonomous compliance, where systems can detect risks, ensure accuracy, and even recommend next steps without human intervention. Join this session to understand how Agentic AI is redefining compliance, what’s possible today, and how the industry must prepare for what comes next.

  • Presented by Kathryn Dreitzler

    Join a candid group discussion on the challenges and successes of building an innovation-focused culture within construction. We'll share our firsthand experiences, from navigating common struggles like securing buy-in and overcoming resistance to change, to the strategies we've used to foster an entrepreneurial mindset across our teams. This session is an opportunity to collaboratively explore how to measure the impact of new initiatives, turn obstacles into opportunities, and establish a resilient framework for innovation that delivers tangible value and drives business growth.

Session 4: 3:30p-4:30p

  • Building on the insights from the morning presentation, this interactive workshop, led by Zach Giglio, will provide participants with the tools and frameworks needed to apply AI solutions directly to their construction workflows. Through practical exercises and guided discussions, attendees will:

    • Explore AI Use Cases in Construction: Learn how AI can streamline field reporting, project tracking, and team communication for improved efficiency.

    • Address Data Privacy and Security: Understand best practices for safely integrating AI while protecting sensitive company and project data.

    • Engage in Interactive Problem-Solving: Participate in discussions to explore challenges and opportunities unique to attendees' operations, ensuring practical and actionable takeaways.

    This workshop is designed for construction professionals looking to move beyond theory and gain hands-on experience in applying AI to real-world scenarios, ultimately improving productivity, reducing manual tasks, and enhancing overall business performance.

  • Presented by Meghan Schoen

    Join us for a sneak peek into one of the most widespread challenges facing the industry today: certified payroll. In this session, we’ll explore why it’s not only okay—but essential—to seek help navigating this complex process. You’ll receive practical guidance and gentle advice on how to leverage various technologies to simplify certified payroll, reduce stress, and improve accuracy. Learn how the right tools and strategies can save you time, ensure compliance, and ultimately benefit your business.

  • Presented by John Walker

    Getting paid on time—and in full—depends on more than just finishing the work. This session will walk you through strategies to build, document, and bill your ongoing projects in ways that protect your rights and strengthen your position. We’ll cover how to:

    • Preserve your rights to payment, change orders, and extra time

    • Defend against claims for defects or schedule impacts

    • Keep payments flowing as the project progresses

    • Minimize disputes, surprises, and payment withholding at project closeout

    Participants will leave with practical tools to safeguard their company’s bottom line while maintaining smooth project execution.

  • Presented by Brian Keller

    This session offers a concise and engaging overview of the rapid advancements in technology within the construction industry, and the importance of integrating tech solutions into your business. We will explore key features within the Gmail platform through interactive demonstrations, examine the benefits of cloud storage versus traditional servers for small businesses, and discuss emerging technologies that are game changing for modern day construction companies. Attendees will gain insight into how these integrated technologies can automate processes, enhance operational efficiency, and support business growth in today’s digital landscape.

  • Presented by Theo Halstead, Joel Hoffman, Lumber, + more

    Too many construction companies invest in software only to see it collect digital dust. Theo Halstead of The Rollout Crew has made a career out of changing that outcome. In this session, he will break down the proven steps to move from tech headaches to measurable ROI. From diagnosing the real problem before you buy, to getting the field and office aligned, to tracking results that prove the investment was worth it - Theo shares a field-tested playbook that works in the real world, not just in sales demos.