2023 AEC Leadership Conference brochure

2023 AEC Leadership Conference

November 2023

A Hybrid Event

Leading with Collaboration

A Guide to Building Stronger Teams and Achieving Project Goals

Who We Are

At The Construction Institute, we are leading a collaborative movement bringing together all industry contributors to shape the future.

Ignite, Empower, and Engage - that is our mindset for creating an inclusive network. We are powered by people with real world expertise. Our collective mission is to advance the AEC industry through education, innovation, and developing essential skills to deliver a better built world.

Why? It’s really this simple: we create the connections that will revolutionize the future of our built environment.

What We Do

The Institute provides opportunities to share information, exchange innovative ideas, and build new relationships. The Construction Institute is a real and virtual think-tank.

The Event Collaboration among project stakeholders is the key to project and stakeholder success. This year’s conference focuses on the nuts and bolts of prompt, clear communication - which is the foundation of collaboration. Explore how technology is designed and used to facilitate communication among project stakeholders. Discover best practices for resolving issues that inevitably cause friction among stakeholders. Learn about Brown University’s experience with IPD (integrated project delivery) and the lessons you can apply to any project. This year’s AEC Leadership Conference will equip you with the perspective and skills needed to collaborate effectively.

The Experience

This hybrid event takes place over two weeks. Kick off with an in-person workshop, followed by three virtual sessions. Conclude your conference experience with an in-person panel discussion and networking reception.

Now in its 6th year, The Construction Institute’s AEC Leadership Conference is the preeminent platform for industry professionals and leaders-in-training to exchange experience and insights while cultivating long-term relationships. This mission-driven curriculum prepares leaders at all levels to handle the unique challenges that our business faces.

Kickoff workshop

Front End Alignment: It’s Not Just for Cars

Front End Alignment

If you look at the causes of claims, all of them occur before the contract is signed. There has to be a better way to do it. Join Ava Abramowitz as she walks you through a new path to design and construction. After the keynote, Abramowitz will lead the group through an interactive workshop exercise in communication and negotiation.

virtual sessions 1 & 2

Building and Managing Complex Teams over Zoom

Bernie Craig and Claire Drummond of Wexford Science and Technology will explore effective hybrid interteam communication, tools for tough conversations, team building, and ensuring trust and transparency. They will share lessons from cultivating a diverse group to maintain confidence while safeguarding the project’s budget and delivery schedule.

Building and Managing Teams

Building teams in a post-pandemic world is difficult. Bringing together people over virtual platforms, where people can disengage or be distracted quickly, can lead to lack of cohesion and good communication, and ultimately jeopardize the team and the project. In the world of construction and development, where a majority of the team is out in the field and the team leads can be remote, hybrid, or in-person, building a strong team foundation is paramount to the project’s success.

The Future of Collaboration

Technology

Transforming Traditional Ways of Working

Procore team members Aaron Kettl and Kristen Riley will share their perspectives on key trends for how companies are improving the ways they collaborate on construction projects, the challenges teams face, and how technology can help address those challenges.

Technology has transformed the way work gets done across industries. In construction, many large companies have already gone through an initial technology transformation by leveraging software to move from paper to digital documents and processes. Yet, there is still significant fragmentation across construction stakeholders - from general contractors, subcontractors, architects, owners, and morewhen it comes to collaborating together to get work done.

A former assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia, Ava Abramowitz teaches negotiations at the George Washington University Law School where she is researching the communication behaviors used in mediations.

“It’s an exciting time to be in AEC. Those who are prepared and informed will thrive.”

James Cramer, Founder & CEO, DesignIntelligence

Ava Abramowitz George Washington University

Aaron Kettl Procore Technologies

Kristen Riley Procore Technologies

Bernie Craig Wexford Science & Technology

Claire Drummond Wexford Science & Technology

virtual session #3

The Communicator’s Mirror: Virtual Reflective Practice

The Communicator’s Mirror

Following up on her kickoff workshop, Ava Abramowitz will lead a virtual session designed to help participants reflect on their experience putting their communication skills into practice. During the session, participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences with other participants and learn from each other’s successes and challenges. Attendees will receive feedback from the speaker on how to improve their communication skills and develop a plan for continuous improvement. The virtual session will also cover how to use reflective practice on an on-going basis to improve one’s communication skills.

Successful Collaboration Strategies

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) projects are designed to foster collaboration among project participants. How well do they actually work to promote collaboration among project teams? What practical strategies can be applied to other methods of project delivery? Brown University recently completed a number of major capital projects employing IPD.

Abramowitz has been serving as a mediator for the District of Columbia’s federal courts since the late 80’s, mediating an array of civil cases including international and domestic corporate cases, class actions, and disputes involving civil liberties, intellectual property and employment discrimination.

panel discussion

Successful Collaboration Strategies: A Case Study of Brown University’s IPD Projects

Moderated by Anthony Messina of The Whiting-Turner Company, Michael Guglielmo, Jr., Vice President Facilities Management at Brown University, Ron Simoneau, Executive Vice President with Shawmut Design and Construction, and architect Erik Tellander of William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc, will talk about what a successful collaborative team looks like, drawing from their extensive experience with IPD project delivery at Brown University.

“The conference was time well spent. I like seeing the new trends in our industry, meeting new people, and reconnecting with old friends.”

2019 attendee

Beth Dupont O&G Industries

Ron Simoneau Shawmut Design and Construction

Erik Tellander William Rawn Associates, Architects

Michael Guglielmo Brown University

Anthony Messina, Moderator The Whiting-Turner Company

Ava Abramowitz George Washington University

Who attends?

A multigenerational group of diverse professionals representative of our industry.

Owners and facilities managers, architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, estimators, accountants, attorneys, manufacturers, and more. Leaders at all levels and stages of job growth. Anyone who is ready to understand and elevate their team’s working dynamic.

why attend?

Make an important investment in your personal growth and professional development.

Our focus is on equipping leaders at all levels with the tools and knowledge needed to address the unique challenges and opportunities within our industry. This year’s conference theme, “Leading Through Collaboration: a Guide to Building Stronger Teams and Achieving Project Goals,” propels us beyond silos and positions you for future success within the industry. You will leave the conference with new skills, enabling you to strengthen your leadership capabilities. Do not to settle for a generic leadership program. Instead, join us to tackle the distinct challenges that our industry faces head-on. Our conference offers a tailored approach to your growth as a leader.

Companies Represented at Past AEC Leadership Conferences

A. P. Construction Company

Adjaye Associates

AdvanceCT

AIA Connecticut

Amenta Emma Architects

Ankura

Antinozzi Associates

ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge

ARCADIS

Associated Builders and Contractors (CT ABC)

Avangrid

Bartlett Brainard Eacott

Becker + Becker Associates

Bennett Sullivan Associates Inc.

Berkeley Research Group

Central Connecticut State University

Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

Construction Solutions Group, LLC

Consulting Engineering Services

Daniel O’Connell’s Sons, Inc.

DesignIntelligence

Dimeo Construction Company

Dodge Data & Analytics

Downes Construction Company, LLC

e2 engineers

Eversource

Flow Tech, Inc.

Freeman Companies, LLC

Fuss & O’Neill, Inc

Garcia & Milas, P.C.

Gensler

Gilbane Building Company

GLCM Group, Columbia University

greenbox-is, Interior Solutions

High-Profile

HRP Associates, Inc.

Indelible Impressions Consulting, LLC

Interscape Commercial Environments

Interstate Electrical Services Corporation

JCJ Architecture

JLL

KardasLarson, LLC

KC Architects, LLC

2022 attendee

LaRosa Building Group, LLC

Lion’s Head Cost Consultants, Inc.

Lumenance Consulting

M. Frank Higgins & Co., Inc.

Majestic Realty Group

MassMutual

McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP

McPhee Electric, Ltd.

MIT Investment Management Company

Montagno Construction, Inc.

Nexii Building Solutions

O,R&L Commercial Real Estate

PAC Group LLC

Pat Munger Construction Company

Patriquin Architects

Pickard Chilton

Pratt & Whitney/United Technologies

Quisenberry Arcari Malik

Red Thread

Resource Options Incorporated

Ritz Inc/DIRTT

Robinson & Cole LLP

Siemens Industry, Inc.

SkillSignal Solidus

Standard Builders

Steelcase Inc

Tecton Architects PC

The Bolder Company

The Coxe Group Inc.

The S/L/A/M Collaborative

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Triax Technologies, Inc.

Triton Environmental

TSKP STUDIO

Tucker Mechanical/Emcor Group Inc.

Turner Construction Company

University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Connecticut

University of Hartford

Vanguard Modular Building Systems

VisionPoint LLC

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

“I feel like everyone can take some great information from events like this.”

How Can My Company Participate?

We are a non-profit organization that serves the needs of the AEC industry. Sponsor dollars support programming and operations of our internationally-recognized association.

Keynote

$3,500

Introduce Keynote speaker

5 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

BYOS - 1 branded swag item in conference bag

1 additional slide included in continuous sponsor loop

Full page ad in program book

Videography

$3,000

Logo in vodeo credits

5 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

BYOS - 1 branded swag item in conference bag

1 additional slide included in continuous sponsor loop

Full page ad in program book

reception

$2,500

Dedicated sponsor board

4 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

Logo in continuous sponsor loop

Half page ad in program book

conference bag

$2,000

Logo on conference bag

3 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

Logo in continuous sponsor loop

Half page ad in program book

panel discussion

$3,500

Introduce Panel Discussion

5 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

BYOS - 1 branded swag item in conference bag

1 additional slide included in continuous sponsor loop

Full page ad in program book

Breakfast

$2,500

Dedicated sponsor board

4 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

Logo in continuous sponsor loop

Half page ad in program book

notebook

$2,000

Logo on conference notebook

3 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

Logo in continuous sponsor loop

Half page ad in program book

pen

$1,750

Company name on conference pen

2 complimentary registrations

Recognition on social media, website and announcements

Logo in continuous sponsor loop

Half page ad in program book

https://www.construction.org/2023-aec-leadership-conference-sponsor.html

Sponsorship must be secured, and ad received, at least 4 weeks prior to event to guarantee ad placement in program book.

Planning Committee

Jim Cecil, Co-Chair A.P. Construction Company

Kaitlyn Dobberfuhl, Co-Chair Gilbane Building Company

F. Michael Ayles Antinozzi Associates

Tiffany Cartier Fuss & O’Neill, Inc.

Tony Messina

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

Agenda & Registration