As the construction industry continues to evolve, keeping pace with innovation requires more than just awareness—it demands real-time feedback and collaborative problem-solving. In this interactive general session, Jonathan Marsh will guide attendees through a dynamic look at current industry practices using live polling to capture what’s really happening on the ground. From there, attendees will engage in roundtable discussions to explore practical solutions, share experiences, and identify opportunities for progress. Whether you’re leading a tech strategy or implementing change in the field, this session offers a chance to benchmark your approach and learn directly from peers.

Sponsored by BLUEBEAM

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I’m glad I’m not that software vendor—we’re a tough customer to help”? You’re not alone. While it’s easy to focus on what vendors should do better, it’s far less common for contractors to look inward and ask, how are we making this harder than it needs to be?

This session is a follow-up to the popular “Dear Software Vendor” panel, but this time we flip the mirror. We’ll explore how internal dysfunction, poor communication, and a focus on short-term wins—like squeezing the lowest possible price—can backfire and damage long-term success. Because here’s the truth: technology initiatives are more likely to fail when your vendor isn’t financially or strategically set up to succeed.

We’ll talk through the real-world challenges of negotiation—not to “beat down” your vendor, but to co-create value. You’ll walk away with insights on how to ask smarter questions, uncover hidden risks in licensing terms, and develop partnerships that are aligned, transparent, and sustainable.

If you’ve never asked your sales rep a question that made them say, “let me check and get back to you,” you’re probably not asking the right questions. Let’s fix that—and learn how to stop being our own worst enemy when it comes to tech adoption.

Every project holds a unique VDC maximum potential value. Realizing this value requires a tailored approach based on the full range of project parameters. This session will share how McKinstry has leveraged data analytics to define a baseline standard of detailing that is then right sized to deliver maximum project benefit. The approach is simply “A way” focused on returning to the basics of VDC and ensuring every deliverable is enhancing installation and not simply exercising the art of the possible. Integrating the benefits of pre-construction reviews, build planning, pre-fabrication and logistics opportunities, the approach hinges on a deliberate and collaborative framework. The output is a highly defined detailing scope prior to BIM coordination enabling cost, schedule and change management.

AI is no longer out of reach—it’s on the jobsite. This session shows contractors how to build their own AI-powered assistant using no-code tools and project data. Learn how to create a custom agent that can read PDFs, drawings, and notes to answer real-time questions using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). Walk away with practical steps to deploy AI that understands your specs, workflows, and field documents.

In this session tailored for MEP contractors and service providers, we’ll explore proven strategies for streamlining field service dispatch through the use of CRM, field service technologies, and API integrations. Learn how platforms like Salesforce and Microsoft 365 can be leveraged to improve technician scheduling, customer communication, and job tracking. We’ll cover industry-specific best practices for dispatch workflows, real-time updates, automated routing, and integrating back-office systems to reduce downtime and boost profitability. Whether you’re managing a small team or scaling a multi-crew operation, this session will provide actionable insights to modernize your service processes and deliver top-tier service performance in the electrical industry.

API’s (Application Program Interfaces) are the connectors provided within applications which enable contractors to extend the application’s functionality. This session will dive into some specific use cases of how contractors have used API’s to increase efficiency and analyze data.

• Enhance Communication Skills
• Improve Team Collaboration
• Resolve Conflicts Professionally
• Strengthen Leadership and Accountability
• Problem Solving and Adaptability
• Develop Emotional Intelligence

• Speak clearly, Work together, Resolve issues, Lead by example, Keep moving, Stay aware
• Commit to using/improving one skill in the next week.

Not every tech rollout goes according to plan—and sometimes, the most valuable insights come from what didn’t work. In this honest, no-fluff panel, MEP professionals share real stories of implementation missteps—from tool tracking and ERP integration to material management systems—and the hard-earned lessons that followed. If you’re planning a rollout (or recovering from one), this session will equip you with practical strategies, cautionary tales, and the kind of advice you only get from experience.

Inconsistent estimating and preconstruction practices can lead to costly errors, miscommunication, and missed opportunities. This session will guide attendees through the process of developing and implementing standardized procedures for preconstruction and estimating. Learn how to align teams, improve bid accuracy, and create repeatable systems that scale with your business.

Most construction issues are only understood after the damage is done. But what if project leaders and team members worked together to identify red flags before they turn into project derailers? This session explores how data, technology, and organizational awareness can be used to catch problems early and act decisively.

Great projects start with great teams—but building one isn’t always easy. This session is designed for managers and leaders who want to strengthen their ability to form, lead, and sustain high-performing teams. Learn how to identify and align different personalities, foster open communication, and create a culture of trust and accountability.

This discussion will be on how Cerris Systems approaches prefabrication opportunities from early involvement in preconstruction through, VDC, fabrication and installation.

Join your peers for an open, collaborative discussion on how MEP contractors are successfully managing the flow from Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) through fabrication and into final installation. Bring your questions, share your wins (and lessons learned), and walk away with new ideas to refine your own workflow.

This session highlights how contractors are leveraging data to make faster, more informed decisions—and how AI is enhancing insight and operational efficiency. Learn how to turn your data into a competitive advantage by improving responsiveness, optimizing resources, and delivering greater customer value.

At Poynter, data isn’t just collected—it drives decisions. This session pulls back the curtain on how one of the industry’s most forward-thinking contractors uses analytics and custom dashboards to boost shop productivity, improve forecasting, and uncover bottlenecks before they impact the bottom line. From fabrication metrics to project planning and resource allocation, learn how Poynter’s integrated data strategy creates transparency across departments, empowers teams, and fuels continuous improvement. Whether you’re just starting your data journey or looking to sharpen your analytics approach, this session offers practical insights and real-world lessons you can take back to your team.

Unlock the full potential of your data to drive smarter decisions and better outcomes. This session shows how contractors are combining internal performance metrics with external market insights to improve forecasting, service delivery, and strategic planning. Learn how quality data can reveal trends, optimize operations, and create a competitive edge.

This session explores how EM Duggan leverages data and analytics to track the performance and progress of their VDC and fabrication operations. Jeff Elwell will walk through the metrics they use to measure output, identify bottlenecks, and guide decision-making across departments. Trent Leinenbach from Stratus will highlight how the platform supports this workflow by connecting design, coordination, and shop activities in real time. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how to build a data-driven feedback loop that improves planning, transparency, and accountability across teams.

The journey of a construction company that set out to solve its own internal challenges — and ended up creating a tech product used by contractors across the country. In this session, you’ll hear the story of Ferry Electric Company’s lived experience, what existing software providers often miss about construction, and why spinning the solution into a standalone company made sense. Honest, practical, and full of lessons for any contractor looking to create nontraditional value.

Today, we are seeing the labor shortages firsthand across the construction industry, both in the field and virtual construction. This session will show you how the UA is training members in virtual design and construction with accelerated training of certain tasks within the VDC world such as annotation, simple pipe routing and coordination. Training UA members on virtual installation of piping systems that are not only constructible but are economical and efficient for our contractors.

Strategic procurement and efficient logistics are essential to delivering projects on time and under budget. This session will explore how contractors can centralize purchasing, leverage buying power, and strengthen vendor relationships to reduce material costs. You’ll also learn best practices for coordinating deliveries, managing lead times, and aligning supply chain operations with construction schedules for maximum project impact.

Small issues can cause big delays in construction. This session shares practical tools to reduce friction between field and office—like clearer handoffs, visual workflows, and short alignment huddles. Learn how real-world feedback and simple process mapping can improve communication, cut waste, and boost accountability. Perfect for teams looking to streamline coordination without adding more meetings or complexity.

Estimators are under more pressure than ever to deliver accurate, competitive bids while adapting to shifting scopes, labor shortages, and evolving tech. This interactive roundtable brings together mechanical, electrical, and plumbing professionals to share challenges, tools, and strategies that are reshaping the estimating process. Whether you’re refining your workflows, exploring new software, or looking to benchmark with peers, this session offers practical insights and peer-to-peer dialogue to help you stay sharp and ahead of the curve.

Implementing SMACNA Labor or Construction Standards into Autodesk Fabrication can be complicated. But it doesn’t need to be with a little background information and guidance. In this session, we’ll attempt to offer that guidance to help you more easily and accurately, implement things like SMACNA labor tables and Construction Standards into your Autodesk Fabrication software.

Your field employees are a goldmine of practical knowledge. This session explores how to systematically gather, evaluate, and implement feedback from the field to improve company procedures, reduce inefficiencies, and boost morale. Learn strategies for creating a feedback-friendly culture, tools for capturing insights in real time, and examples of how contractors have turned field input into measurable improvements.

This session will continuing discussion on tricks, tips and tech hacks being used to make workflows work smarter for MEP contractors. Hardware such as shortcut key hardware, space mouses, Google Chrome tools, task management software and unique workflows will be discussed. This session will provide insight into how other MEP contractors are streamlining their workflows and which ideas might help increase workplace productivity.

Codes and standards are the foundation of everything we design, build, and maintain—from the earliest concepts to final inspection. This session will challenge misconceptions, explore practical applications, and highlight how integrating codes can boost efficiency, reduce waste, and add long-term value. You’ll walk away with strategies to strengthen SOPs, optimize field operations, and turn compliance into competitive advantage.

The most successful leaders don’t go it alone—they grow through shared insight, accountability, and collaboration. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to build, structure, and sustain a powerful peer group that fosters innovation, sharpens strategy, and accelerates professional growth. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to get more from an existing group, this session will equip you with practical tools to create a trusted circle that challenges assumptions, supports breakthroughs, and drives meaningful results across your business.