Education & Partner Sessions
As the currents of a shifting political climate, the demands of an evolving business landscape, and the continued proliferation of revolutionary technologies converge, these sessions will equip attendees with the strategies and insight needed to thrive and lead in this era of transformation.
Schedule is subject to change.
Monday, May 19
10:45 am-11:45 am
Education Session
Erik Strock & Chelsey Hendrickson, Kimley-Horn
The rise of tech-enabled consulting is currently transforming the AEC industry. However, technological advancements alone are insufficient to drive this change; there is a need for highly skilled industry professionals such as engineers, technicians, and mechanics. Given the novelty of these technologies, there is a scarcity of such skilled professionals on a broad scale, and formalized education in these areas is lacking. Consequently, acquiring the necessary skills and training must occur through the use of new technology in practical and on-the-job ways.
Kimley-Horn launched its innovation incubator in 2019 with a focus on investing in employee ideas and promoting bold, entrepreneurial thinking. The incubator has led to growth and diversification of the firm as well as the benefit of recruiting and retaining talented and innovative employees. In 2024, Kimley-Horn launched the Innovative Analyst ("IA") program. This 10-month program guides a group of analysts through a curriculum of Excel, VBA, Power BI, Python, and ArcGIS Pro. The goal of the IA program is to empower analysts to creatively integrate industry knowledge with various software tools to address unique problems, enhance current workflows, and optimize design processes.
This presentation will provide tangible ideas for how you and your firm can leverage technology and innovation to grow your firm and recruiting, training, retaining talent.
Education Session
Dr. Keith Molenaar, Dean, College of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Colorado Boulder
Join us for an in-depth education session featuring the latest findings from the ACEC Research Institute’s firm-based survey on Progressive Design-Build (PDB). This session will explore industry perspectives on risk allocation, insurance challenges, contractual best practices, and project delivery trends. Attendees will gain key insights into how alternative DB procurement methods—such as Qualification-Based Selection (QBS) and target pricing—impact project success. This session will provide actionable guidance to improve risk management and collaboration in complex design-build projects.
Partner Session
David Thornhill & Sarah Thornhill, Morrissey Goodale
The best acquirers know how to increase profits, and they make a habit of boosting their sales through their acquisitions. They are 100% growth-focused, and they excel at employee engagement. It’s important to remember that an acquisition brings about a condition of change for both sides and managing that change effectively is crucial to achieving positive results. This session will review best practices as well as common mistakes to avoid and provide some tips and tricks to create a culture of equals. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, attendees will learn how to leverage leadership, communication, and purpose-driven integration to drive better results.
2:30 pm-3:30 pm
Education Session
Mark Blankenship and Dan Buelow, Willis A&E; Michael Robertson, MG+M The Law Firm
This session offers an in-depth look at the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications, particularly within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. Generative AI is a transformative technology that creates new content by analyzing vast datasets. AI can help optimize construction processes, reduce waste, and improve sustainability. Blankenship and Buelow's presentation highlights the potential of generative AI to revolutionize industries, comparing its impact to that of the steam engine, electricity, and the internet. They explore the significant role AI can play in addressing the environmental impact of the built environment, which accounts for 39% of global carbon emissions. In the presentation, Robertson will emphasize the legal complexities surrounding AI, namely around copyright and intellectual property. The overarching theme of the session focuses on the transformative potential of AI while highlighting the importance of responsible, ethical use, human oversight, and compliance with professional standards.
Education Session
William Siegel and Kevin McMahon, McMahon|Siegel Group
While essential for compliance and transparency, traditional financial reporting can unintentionally limit growth and innovation in consulting engineering firms. This session will explore how conventional financial metrics and organizational alignment often foster short-term thinking and fail to capture progress towards long term success of growth and improvement initiatives. By focusing solely on profits, revenue, and cost control, firms risk missing opportunities for investment, R&D, and talent retention. This presentation will explore alternative strategies and reporting that align with the strategic demands of engineering firms, promote sustainable growth, and foster a culture of innovation. Learn how to move beyond standard metrics and unlock your firm’s true potential.
Partner Session
Eileen Canady & Evelyn March, BST Global
AI brings promising capabilities for innovative design, more sustainable practices, expedited workflows and more. It also introduces a broad set of challenges, known and unknown. To gain a deeper understanding of these potential benefits and barriers, BST Global surveyed AEC firms about their current and planned AI initiatives, expectations and obstacles.
BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady and Director of Growth & Engagement Evelyn March will present the findings from the BST Global AI + Data Insights 2025 Survey, underscoring the need to harness AI’s potential while managing risk and bridging the digital skills gap. During this session, they will also reflect on BST Global’s 2025 AI Summit as well as the company’s AI-powered predictive data solution.
Partner Session [2:30 pm - 3:00 pm]
Deb Stevens, ACEC Retirement Trust; Lydia Zabrycki, CAPTRUST
Serving on a 401(k) Plan fiduciary committee comes with significant responsibilities, yet many committees unknowingly make critical errors that can lead to legal, financial, and operational risks. Whether you’re a seasoned fiduciary or new to the role, this presentation will provide practical guidance to enhance compliance, improve plan outcomes, and protect both committee members and plan participants.
Partner Session [3:00 pm - 3:30 pm]
Roger Guilian, Greyling Insurance Brokerage & Risk Consulting
Always wanted to join a group captive but had nowhere to turn? The ACEC Business Insurance Trust is excited to announce that it will be launching a Group Captive insurance solution for middle-market ACEC member firms, in partnership with Greyling/EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants and The Hartford. Come learn more about this innovative offering from the BIT!
4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Education Session
Bret Tushaus, Deltek
In today's fast-paced environment, engineering, architecture, and consulting firms are under increasing pressure to stay competitive while facing rising costs, a shrinking workforce, and a widening skills gap. This session will examine how firms can leverage AI and emerging technologies to address these challenges and achieve operational excellence. Attendees will discover practical ways to apply AI in project management, resource optimization, and strategic decision-making, helping to streamline processes, improve project delivery, and enhance profitability. This session will explore common obstacles to AI adoption and offer a strategic framework for successfully integrating these technologies into daily operations. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of how to utilize AI to boost efficiency, elevate project outcomes, and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving industry landscape. This discussion is vital for any firm looking to future-proof its operations and thrive in the engineering sector.
Education Session
David Hatem, MG+M Lawfirm, Michael Johnson, Kiewit; Carl Munkel, Gresham Smith; Donna Hunt, Risk Strategies Company
The traditional Design-Build project delivery method gave rise to significant problems on large projects – particularly heavy civil/infrastructure projects – where the design-builder was required to provide a GMP prior to the construction documents having gotten much past 30% completion. Progressive Design-Build ("PDB") is a much more collaborative delivery method involving the owner, design-builder, and the design team itself working together in phases to come to agreement on a final budget only after the construction documents are at or beyond 60% and the scope and objectives are better defined. To say the least, the professional liability market is a strong proponent of the "progressive" approach, and the decreased risk has benefits for the A/E/C industry generally. On what projects should PDB be considered, and where might it be inappropriate? How does the need for increased owner engagement impact the process? What are the implications for vertical versus horizontal construction and public versus private projects? These are just a few of the practical and legal questions that will be explored in this session.
Education Session
Tom Tollerton & Dustin Haywood, Forvis Mazars
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the initiative established by the US Department of Defense to protect sensitive Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within its supply chain. Any organization that is party to a DOD contract must achieve and maintain a CMMC certification in order to be awarded DoD prime or subcontracts. In this session, Tom Tollerton, one of the earliest CMMC Certified Assessors, will bring clarity to how CMMC applies to engineering companies that currently hold or plan to pursue contracts with DoD. He will also provide high-level recommendations for executives on preparing for CMMC certification and offer insights into the readiness and certification assessment processes.
Tuesday, May 20
10:45 am-11:45 am
Education Session
June Jewell, AEC Business Solutions
Engineering firms must navigate challenges including labor shortages, commoditization of engineering services, and rapidly advancing technologies. To be competitive and highly profitable, it is critical to have a clear strategy that addresses all these challenges, and to have that strategy guide decisions and employee behavior. In this presentation, June Jewell will present six strategies to ensure firms can not only compete but have a winning competitive advantage in your markets. Learn ways to empower your project managers, develop a culture of accountability, select better clients, improve processes and systems, implement a clear strategy that drives decisions and behavior, all while realizing and communicating your value.
Education Session
Staci Brinson & Tahra Porterfield, AXA AL
Recent literature regarding the use of AI suggests that leadership teams should be actively seeking to understand this emerging technology and how it is being used within the organization. This session will explore ideas for safeguarding ethical and professional standards when integrating AI in design workflows and business administration, with particular focus on (1) understanding the technology and its ever-expanding reach in our day to day lives; and (2) strategies to ensure appropriate oversight over the ethical use of AI in business. Learn the basics of “AI terminology,” understand the benefits of engaging with AI while avoiding its pitfalls, and explore ways to safeguard against the potential consequences of the unethical use of AI.
Education Session
Randy Anderson, E3 Professional Trainers
Don’t you wish you could get all of your tasks done in “normal hours,” AND help your team members do the same? This presentation delivers six practical strategies that will help increase productivity throughout your organization. From how managers schedule and run team meetings, to instilling a mutual respect for teammates’ time, incorporating these ideas into your culture will enable everyone to get more done without working more hours. These ideas will equip team managers to create a more time-efficient environment and help individuals to accomplish more each day in both their professional and personal lives.
1:15 pm-2:15 pm
Education Session
Joe Bates, ACEC Research Institute
Join us live at the ACEC Convention for the latest findings from the Q2 2025 Engineering Business Sentiment Survey. This timely session will explore how engineering firms are navigating a complicated business landscape marked by policy shifts and economic uncertainty. We’ll examine current and future sentiment on the U.S. economy, the engineering industry, firm finances, backlog, and hiring trends. While current performance indicators remain steady, forward-looking outlooks have declined sharply—reflecting broad reactions to recent federal policy changes. In addition to our research team, two firm leaders—offering contrasting yet thoughtful perspectives—will unpack the data and explore what lies ahead for the industry. Come ready for a dynamic and balanced discussion.
Education Session
David Cohen, Matheson Financial Advisory
Engineering firms utilize a variety of ownership structures, but not all of them align with the respective firm’s strategic vision. This panel will discuss a variety of ownership structures and how to align the overall program with your vision for the future. Connect the dots between governance, strategy, value, mechanics, and most importantly, culture.
Education Session
Sarah Thornhill, Morrisey Goodale LLC
This presentation will explore strategies for effectively engaging and harnessing the strengths of multiple generations within engineering firms, fostering collaboration, innovation, and enhanced team performance.
-
- Understand the unique characteristics, strengths, and challenges of each generation in the workplace (Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z) and how they impact team dynamics.
- Learn actionable strategies to foster cross-generational collaboration and communication, improving productivity and innovation within engineering teams.
- Develop leadership approaches to effectively motivate, retain, and engage multigenerational staff by aligning generational strengths with the firm’s long-term goals.