2025 Future Workforce Conference

Forging Robust Systems and Innovative Strategies to Attract, Retain and Advance the Workforce of the Future

When

3.5.2025 at 8:00AM - 3.6.2025 at 5:00PM

Where

AT&T Hotel and Conference Center 1900 University Ave. Austin, TX 78705

With no shortage of work, projects and opportunity construction companies need to refine and revamp their workforce, talent, and change management strategies to sustain a competitive advantage.  Some industry estimates suggest that there will be a 40% shortcoming of the available workforce within the next couple of years so companies need to strategize and invest now into recruitment, retention, upskilling, training, automation, technology, and development of skilled tradespersons, managers, and leaders to fill that gap.

Additionally, the industry suffers from a lack of diversity with women and minorities so there is even more pressure to refine recruitment, retention, and workforce management to overcome the current and pending shortages while growing their businesses.

Attending this meeting will enable you to:

  • Analyze the benefits of novel collaborations with trade unions, academic institutions, and training and development partners

  • Identify and develop managers and leaders through case studies, scenario planning, and workshops

  • Advance the craft and field workforce of the future through automation, AI, technology and innovation

  • Evaluate how to reach the next generation to make the case for construction careers

  • Develop training programs and initiatives required to meet the demand of the industry’s digital transformation

BuiltWorlds invites C Level Executives (CHROs, Chief People Officers, etc), VPs, Human Resource (HR) Partners, Directors, Leaders and Innovators that oversee and have responsibilities for:

  • Workforce / Talent Management / Acquisition

  • Training / Leadership Development

  • Human Resources (HR) / Employee Engagement

  • Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

  • People & Culture

  • HSE / HSSE / Safety

Speakers

Brett Walsh

EVP, HR/OD, Graycor

Chris Young

Director of Workforce Development, Texas Department of Transportation

Alison Tripp

National Talent Acquisition Leader, DPR Construction

Michael Curran

Talent Acquisition Manager, Garney Construction

Rachael Ferrera

Manager of Investments & Ideation, Zachry Construction Corporation

Ian Warner

Director of Industry Workforce Development & Innovation, Trimble

Ivan Damnjanovic

Professor, Texas A&M

Zack Parnell

EVP of Strategy, Interplay Learning

Brett Addis

Director, Human Capital Advisory, Moss Adams

Maria Vilshanski

Founder & CEO, Silo-In

Paul Cardis

Co-Founder and CEO, On3

Mandy McGill

Founder & CEO, Aedifico

Gabe Jewell

Partner, Jewell Studio

Gabe Guetta

CEO, Salus

Feng Wang

Professor and Program Coordinator of Civil Engineering, Texas State University

Fraser Patterson

Founder and CEO, Skillit

Calvin Benchimol

Co-founder and CEO, Crewscope

Moody Heard

Co-Founder & CEO, Buildforce

Preliminary Agenda

Day 1 Schedule

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Wednesday, March 5th

Workforce Forum

Sustaining a Leadership Development Program through Empowerment, Self Discovery, and Scenario Planning

Dissecting how the industry is shaping the future workforce through collaboration and partnerships with vocational programs, academic institutions, and unions

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Wednesday, March 5th

Venture Forum

This sessions is closed to members of the BuiltWorlds Venture & Investment Research Track and by special invite only.

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Wednesday, March 5th

Demo Day

Conference attendees are welcome to join us as we welcome up to 10 innovative startups seeking to drive change in the future workforce space as they face off and present to our panel of expert judges in our BuiltWorld's Demo Day Competition

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Wednesday, March 5th

Demo Day Reception

Day 2 Schedule

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Thursday, March 6th

Registration, Networking and Breakfast

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM | Thursday, March 6th

Welcome Address and Safety Briefing

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Thursday, March 6th
PANEL DISCUSSION

Reinforcing Safety, Security and a Zero Incident Mindset of the Workforce through Risk Management, Technology and Tools and Human Behavior Analysis

- Automating tasks and documentation to reinforce safety and efficiency of the workforce
- Analyzing the security and risks that the use of safety technology presents
- Unpacking a practical approach to psychological safety
- Fortifying a zero incident mindset to maximize safety, security and wellness
- Developing a detailed plan focused on accident prevention and the implementation of safety protocols

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM | Thursday, March 6th
PANEL DISCUSSION

Pioneering a Culture of Innovation and Positive Changes for All Levels of the Workforce

- Incorporating innovation and technology as core tenants of the organization
- Assessing how can culture be measured and assessed to inform strategy and decision making
- Creating a culture of trust, connection and synergy between corporate and craft / office and blue collar
- Designing a system of health and wellness to avoid stress and burnout while maximizing safety and productivity

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Thursday, March 6th

NETWORKING BREAK

11:00 AM – 11:40 AM | Thursday, March 6th

BREAKOUT SESSION TBD

11:40 AM – 12:25 PM | Thursday, March 6th
PANEL DISCUSSION AND AWARDS

The Adoption Leaders: New Tools Demand New Training

The Adoption Leaders group will highlight executives and professionals who are dedicated to continuous learning and development by representing their firms at various industry connections points including networking events and educational seminars. Adoption Leaders represent the core mission of BuiltWorlds - “connection and education lead to better business outcomes and a better built world”

12:25 PM – 1:25 PM | Thursday, March 6th

LUNCHEON

1:25 PM – 2:10 PM | Thursday, March 6th
PANEL DISCUSSION

Women in the Workforce Highlight and Session. Building a Robust Culture of Inclusion for Women to Succeed and Develop within Construction and Contracting

- Establishing resource groups, communities, and engagement for women in construction
- Amplifying the internal and external benefits of a female workforce
- Reviewing national and regional initiatives to encourage women joining and growing within the construction and AEC industries
- Highlighting examples of women in the trades, leadership and entrepreneurship within the industry

2:10 PM – 2:55 PM | Thursday, March 6th
PANEL DISCUSSION

Harnessing the Power of Partnerships, Collaboration and Technology to Retain, Train, and Develop the Craft and Corporate Workforce of the Future

- Incorporating worker centric field and mobile technology to improve productivity, safety, and trade specific tasks
- Maximizing partnerships with the local community, unions, schools, higher education, and institutions
- Leveraging lessons learned from the field into practical training scenarios and workshops for future project success
- Balancing the benefits of in person versus virtual or video based learning

2:55 PM – 3:10 PM | | Thursday, March 6th

BuiltWorld's Research Presentation

3:10 PM – 3:35 PM | | Thursday, March 6th

NETWORKING BREAK

3:35 PM – 4:20 PM | | Thursday, March 6th
PANEL DISCUSSION

Leveraging Data, Information Systems, and Resources to Maximize Recruitment, Retention, and Development

- Integrating systems and software across platforms and locations to maximize human potential
- Discussing strategies to build and collect data across legacy systems and novel tools to maximize resource utilization
- Assessing best practices in implementing and optimizing HRIS and related information systems to streamline processes and drive organizational success

4:20 PM – 5:05 PM | Thursday, March 6th
PANEL DISCUSSION

Crafting Talent Acquisition and Management Strategies to Maximize Project, Personnel and Enterprise Outcomes

- Unlocking new talent pools through early exposure to the benefits of the industry and identification of transferable skills
- Recognizing that new and emerging talent does have the same career goals as many within the industry with more tenure
- Peeling back the layers of candidates for hire and how they are positioning their experience and earnings expectations
- Leveraging and recognizing the utilization of AI from the candidate and recruiter perspectives to improve talent acquisition and onboarding
- Harnessing the benefits of reliable data and information from surveys and benchmarking reports to thrive in a competitive market

5:05 PM – 7:00 PM | | Thursday, March 6th

CLOSING REMARKS AND RECEPTION

Member Registration

Our ticketing system is currently experiencing technical difficulties, and our team is working to resolve the issue. 

If you see the ticketing form below, please go ahead and register using the form. If you do not see the form, please email info@builtworlds.com with the name of the event you would like to attend, and a team member will assist you.

Thank you for your patience!

Non-Members: Buy a Ticket Using the Link Below

Want a season pass to the events driving innovation in the built environment?

Learn more about the benefits of joining our Member Network, which include event tickets, access to attendee lists and recorded footage of our best talks.

Learn more!