AGENDA

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: 7th Floor Ballroom Pre-Function Area 

7:00 am - 8:00 am

8:00 am - 8:15 am

8:15 am - 9:45 am

Presented by: Kristin Scroggin

Session Overview:
Embark on a journey with Generation “THEM,” a captivating exploration into the "WHY" behind each American generation's unique perspectives. Discover the key to fostering understanding, strengthening teamwork, and ensuring workplace cohesion. This presentation provides a solid grasp of generational norms. It emphasizes the critical need to attract and retain top young talent for long-term sustainability, all while offering a light-hearted look at the quirks that make us uniquely human.

Learning Objectives:
• Attendees will learn to decode each generation's names, norms, and accepted age ranges currently shaping the American workplace.

• Attendees will uncover 3–5 commonly held beliefs within each generation, unraveling the tapestry of their distinct worldviews.

• Attendees will differentiate between the traditionalist perspectives and the evolving mindset of incoming generations.

• Attendees will master the art of articulating feedback for employees across different generations, maximizing acceptance and catalyzing positive change.

• Attendees will discover effective communication mediums tailored to each generation, enhancing workplace productivity and collaboration.

CPE Credits: 1.5, Personnel/Human Resources

Location: Main Ballroom

9:45 am - 10:00 am

Presented by: Christian Geismann & Heidi Boe

Location: Main Ballroom

10:00 am - 10:15 am

Location: Sponsor Exhibit Area

10:15 am - 11:05 am

Presented by: KC Fike, Baker Tilly & Jessica Carius, Baker Tilly

Session Overview:
AI is reshaping the construction industry, delivering measurable financial impact through enhanced forecasting, real-time cost control, and stronger risk management. For finance leaders, the opportunity lies in automating routine processes, accelerating estimating, analyzing change orders with greater precision, and strengthening compliance. This session will explore practical AI applications that reduce overruns, streamline reporting, and optimize operations, empowering finance professionals to drive profitability and strategic advantage.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand AI’s Financial Impact – Learn how AI enhances forecasting accuracy, cost controls, and risk management in construction projects.
2. Identify High-Value Use Cases – Explore where AI delivers measurable ROI, from automated estimating to compliance monitoring and fraud detection.
3. Apply AI Strategically – Gain insights on governance, adoption strategies, and how finance professionals can drive profitability with AI.

CPE Credits: 1, Specialized Knowledge

Location: Main Ballroom

11:10 am - 12:00 pm

Presented by: Eliot Wagonheim

Session Overview:
After having worked and interacted with hundreds of contractors throughout the United States, I’ve learned that, as diverse as these companies may be in terms of trade, size, geographic areas and specialties, there are a few stark, bold lines that separate incredibly successful contractors from the vast majority that perennially chase the kind of success they covet.

In this engaging session, Eliot Wagonheim presents those mission-critical features of highly successful companies…and what every company should hardwire into their DNA to guide them in selecting projects, identifying contract deal-breakers, and resolving issues before they become company-killing problems.

Learning Objectives:

1. Formulate an effective go/no-go mindset that they can apply to every opportunity
2. Develop a contract decision-making framework to evaluate risk and opportunities
3. Understand the simple structure of impactful communications that protect their interests while building relationships

CPE Credits: 1, Business Management & Organization

Location: Main Ballroom

12:00 pm - 12:55 PM

Location: Sponsor Exhibit Area

12:55 pm - 1:45 pm

Moderator:

• Jay Snyder, Big Blue Innovations

Panelists:

• Monty Anderson, Tapani

• Aaron Labadie, Columbia Bank - Commercial

• Shannon Malsed, I&E Construction

• Justin Gwinn, Marsh McLennan Agency

Session Overview:

In the construction industry, success hinges on strong alignment between the field and financial teams—and Work-In-Progress (WIP) reporting sits at the center of that connection. This panel will explore how WIP serves as a critical bridge between operations and finance, enabling construction professionals to monitor project performance, profitability, and risk in real time.

Designed for financial leaders and construction company owners, this discussion will demonstrate how mastering WIP reporting can enhance strategic decision-making, foster internal collaboration, and amplify your influence at the leadership table.

The panel will be moderated by Jay Snyder, President & Principal of Big Blue Innovations. Panelists will include leaders such as a general contractor CFO, and experts representing such areas as risk, surety, and banking.

Learning Objectives:
○ Understand how Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting functions as the connection point between field operations and financial management in construction.
○ Learn how to use WIP insights to monitor project performance, profitability, and risk in real time to enhance strategic decision-making.
○ Explore ways WIP reporting strengthens collaboration between operations and finance teams and elevates financial leaders’ influence within their organization."

CPE Credits: 1, Accounting

Location: Main Ballroom

12:55 pm - 1:45 pm

Presented by: Kevin Lynch, Dawson & Ben Turner, Earlytrade

Session Overview:

Early payment programs are gaining traction in construction finance — but most of the conversation happens at the vendor level, not the practitioner level. In this session, Kevin Lynch, Controller at Dawson Construction, shares an unfiltered account of what it actually looks like to launch and run a dynamic discounting program from the finance seat. From navigating subcontractor confusion and internal alignment challenges, to understanding how the discount market works and what drives participation, Kevin covers the operational and financial realities that don't show up in sales decks. Ben Turner of Earlytrade, provides supporting context on program mechanics and benchmarks. If you're evaluating early payment programs — or trying to get more out of one you already have — this session gives you a peer's honest account of what to expect.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the key operational decisions that affect early payment program performance, including invoice approval speed, subcontractor communication strategy, and internal PM alignment.
2. Evaluate early payment programs as a working capital tool by understanding how dynamic discounting generates return on existing cash and how discount rates are determined.
3. Apply a practical framework for launching or improving a subcontractor early payment program, based on real program data and lessons learned from a construction controller's first year.

CPE Credits: 1, Finance

Location: Breakout Room 702

1:50 pm - 2:40 pm

Presented by: Tim Gamble, CliftonLarsonAllen

Session Overview:
In this session, Tim will provide updates on the latest risks and trends related to cybersecurity. This will include payment fraud and ransomware, as well as how AI and deep-fake technology is making it easier for the fraudsters. Tim will also cover mitigating controls to help organizations in the ever-changing threat landscape.

Learning Objectives
1. Identify common cyber attack methods,

2. Differentiate between ransomware attacks and business email compromise attacks, and

3. Recognize leading practices to mitigate cybersecurity risks

CPE Credits: 1, Information Technology

Location: Main Ballroom

1:50 pm - 2:40 pm

Presented by: Dustin Bass, BaseRock & Scott Duncan, BaseRock

Session Overview: BaseRock's presentation will provide an in-depth overview of the key factors that drive salability and enterprise value within the construction industry. Attendees will gain insight into the current mergers and acquisitions landscape affecting contractors, engineering firms, and specialty contractors, with discussion centered on market activity, buyer trends, valuation considerations, and the evolving role of private equity and strategic acquirers in the sector.

The session will also explore the growing popularity of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) within the construction industry as a strategic ownership transition and employee retention tool. In addition, the presentation will review other commonly utilized internal equity transfer strategies, and phased ownership transition models. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the options available to construction business owners seeking to maximize value while planning for long-term continuity and leadership transition.

Learning Objectives

• What drives salability and value in construction?

• What are buyers seeing in today’s market?

• Why are ESOPs growing in popularity in the construction market?

• What makes a Company a strong ESOP candidate?

• An overview of the common techniques utilized to transfer equity internally.

CPE Credits: 1, Finance

Location: Breakout Room 702

2:40 pm - 2:55 pm

Location: Sponsor Exhibit Area

2:55 pm - 4:10 pm

Presented by: Mary Harland, AGC & Sarah Patterson, AGC

Session Overview:

Today's school Shop classes may look familiar, but the system around them has changed: graduation requirements, standards, school policies, and how industry can engage. What hasn't changed is industry's need for a strong workforce pipeline. The AGC Education Foundation's Core Plus Construction (CPC) program combines industry-developed curriculum, hands-on learning, and employer engagement to help schools meet educational requirements while preparing students for high-demand construction careers. This session explores how industry, educators, and organizations like CFMA are working together to align education with workforce needs. Attendees will learn how CPC's model connects students to meaningful career pathways, creates sustainable opportunities to engage future construction professionals, and where ROI is happening.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the role of Career and Technical Education in construction workforce development and where industry fits.

• Explain how industry-aligned programs like Core Plus Construction connect classrooms, teachers, and students to construction careers.

• Identify practical ways companies and industry organizations can support CTE and invest in long-term workforce pipelines.

CPE Credits: 1.5, Personnel/Human Resources

Location: Main Ballroom

4:15 pm - 5:30 pm

Presented by:

Moderator: Josh Tyndell, Lockton

Panelists: Charles Thuss, Prime Electric | Joseph Hagar, McKinstry | Berger Dodge, Lease Crutcher Lewis

Session Overview:

Many construction companies continue to approach risk as a cost to minimize rather than a strategic lever to manage. As insurance markets tighten, capital becomes more constrained, and project risk increases, this traditional mindset is being tested.

In this executive roundtable, construction CFOs will discuss where conventional thinking around risk and insurance is falling short and how leading firms are adjusting their approach. The conversation will focus on real-world decisions, including how companies are balancing risk transfer and retention, evaluating financial tradeoffs, and aligning risk strategy with growth objectives.
Rather than a presentation, this session is designed as a candid, peer-driven discussion. Attendees will leave with practical perspectives on how risk management is evolving and what changes may be worth considering within their own organizations.

Learning Objectives

1. The most common gaps in how construction companies approach risk and insurance today
2. How leading contractors are balancing risk transfer, retention, and capital efficiency
3. Practical considerations for aligning risk decisions with financial and growth objectives
4. Emerging trends CFOs should be monitoring over the next 2–3 years

CPE Credits: 1.5, Specialized Knowledge

Location: Main Ballroom

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

7th Floor - Sponsor Exhibition