- This event has passed.
When
Apr 14, 2026 - Apr 16, 2026
Where
,What's In It For You:
- Evaluate the technology, innovation, and AI/data strategy for mid-size, specialty, and large contractors
- Analyze the investment landscape of accelerators and early-stage, mid-stage and late-stage startups (including a Demo Competition)
- Decode technology governance/charters, AI use cases, and the most promising AI/ML applications
- Build the future workforce and operational strategy through the utilization of autonomous systems and robotics
- Connect with executives, founders, decision-makers, and innovators throughout the global AEC value chain
Who Should Attend:
BuiltWorlds invites C-suite executives, SVPs, VPs, directors and leaders from the AEC industry with job titles and responsibilities including:
- CEO / COO / CIO / CTO / Founders / Presidents
- Innovation / Strategy / Partnerships
- Investment / Venture Capital / Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)
- Data Analysis / Strategy / Management
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML)
PRICING AND REGISTRATION*
(Access to Research Tracks and CEO Working Group Not Included)
$3,000
Non-members interested in membership can learn more here.
1 MEMBER TICKET
Members can also find the registration form at the bottom of this page.
PRICING VARIES
Pricing is based on group size. Register your interest and a member of our team will reach out with information shortly.
2026 Speakers Include
Brick Cassidy
Director of The Fabrication Center for the College of Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology
Shelley Finnigan
Associate Dean, Masters and Professional Education, Northwestern University - MPM and EMDC
John Michael Nurthen
Lieutenant Commander, Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command
Jayhawk Reese-Julien
MCHAP Fellow, Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP) at Illinois Institute of Technology
David Gerber
Professor, Program Director, Advisor, University of Southern California - Viterbi Startup Garage
Agenda
Day 1 Schedule
OPEN Happy Hour: Hosted by 53 Stations and GS Futures
Join 53 Stations and GS Futures for an exclusive happy hour during the 2026 BuiltWorlds Chicago Global Summit, supported by the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors (CAGC).
Grab a drink and connect with the founders, investors, and builders shaping the future of the built world at Bar Siena. The venue is a five minute drive from the Summit, just across the beautiful Chicago river in the iconic Fulton Market district.
Day 2 Schedule
Venture & Investment Research Track Working Group Meeting
Session Abstract and Speakers TBA
Illinois Institute of Technology Innovative Facilities Visit
Members of BuiltWorlds' Research Tracks are invited to join us on Illinois Institute of Technology's campus for two exciting tours of IIT's facilities, led by members of the College of Architecture and College of Engineering, respectively.
More information on IIT's Trimble Technology Lab can be found here.
More information on IIT's Fabrication Center can be found here.
Illinois Institute of Technology - Departing Panel Discussion
Following the tour of IIT's facilities, the group will reconvene for a closing discussion in S. R. Crown Hall, IIT's main building within the College of Architecture.
More information and the history of IIT's S. R. Crown Hall can be found here.
General Registration
Startup Garage - Fundraising Dos/Don'ts (Early Stage)
Raising capital for a ConTech startup is a high-stakes craft that separates traction from transformation. This interactive workshop arms early-stage founders with battle-tested strategies for crafting investor-ready pitches, building relationships with sector-specific VCs, and closing rounds efficiently. Learn the critical do's, like demonstrating clear product-market fit, showcasing jobsite traction, and aligning with construction-specific metrics, and the definitive don'ts, such as overhyping unproven tech, neglecting customer references, or ignoring the long sales cycles that define AEC investing. Participants will walk away equipped to navigate term sheets, manage diligence, and position their startup for the right capital at the right time.
Speakers:
Jesse Devitte, Co-Founder & General Partner, Building Ventures
Vivin Hegde, GP and Founding Partner, Zacua Ventures
Eric Lamb, Operating Partner, Blackhorn Ventures
Ross Bosn, Managing Director, UFP Ventures
You Raised a Series A, Now What? (Later Stage)
Closing a Series A round validates your vision, but it also starts the clock on proving you can scale with discipline. For growing ConTech and built-world startups, the next phase brings a new set of challenges: building repeatable go-to-market motions, supporting larger and more demanding customers, sharpening unit economics, and maturing internal operations without losing speed. This session dives into what founders and leaders must get right after the term sheet is signed, from hiring and org design to customer success, implementation, product focus, and board management. Attendees will hear candid stories and practical frameworks for navigating the pressure to grow efficiently, avoid common scaling pitfalls, and set the stage for durable, investor-ready progress toward the next round or strategic exit.
Speakers:
Jay Snyder, President, Big Blue Innovations
Amol Mehta, Investor, Moderne Ventures
Ben Sack, Investor, 53 Stations
Lifecycle Ownership: The Missing Link Between Technology Investment and Performance
Across global markets, we’re seeing the same pattern: There's an explosion of technology choices, but no unifying ownership model. Data remains fragmented across development, construction, and operations, driving costly, inconsistent outcomes at scale. The solution is not to have more technology, but lifecycle ownership - to create a control layer that connects systems, aligns decisions, and delivers repeatable performance.
Speakers:
Roger Wahl, CTO, Innovo Group; Founder, WahlStreetTech
Big Ideas from the Chicago Architectural Biennial and How to Move them Forward (Chicago Track)
Across continents, architects and designers are testing new materials, new delivery models, and new relationships between people, technology, and place. The Chicago Architecture Biennial convenes the world around these experiments—bringing together bold ideas and diverse voices to collectively imagine the future of design. In this session, key partners of the Biennial will discuss how these innovations are already influencing new ways of thinking about materials, delivery, performance, and investment—and how they can be leveraged to advance business objectives.
Speakers:
Nora Daley, Co-Chair, Chicago Architecture Biennial
Kimberly Dowdell, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Amrize
AI in Action: Practical Lessons and the Mid-Market Opportunity
Beyond the hype of generative tools lies the reality of implementation: AI is only as powerful as the digital foundation it sits upon. This session moves past the buzzwords to explore how mid-market and specialty contractors are successfully deploying AI to drive efficiency and project ROI. Featuring rapid-fire lessons learned, our speakers will detail the necessity of an organizational "digital backbone" and provide a roadmap for moving from scattered pilots to a scalable, tech-enabled competitive advantage.
Speakers:
Amr Raafat, Chief Innovation Officer, Windover Construction
Tomislav Zigo, CEO, BEXEL USA
Should I Join an Accelerator? (Early Stage)
Securing a spot in a startup accelerator promises funding, mentorship, and connections, but is it the right move for your ConTech venture? This panel of experienced founders, investors, and program directors debates the real value of accelerators for early-stage construction technology companies. Expect candid discussion on matching programs to your stage and goals, weighing equity tradeoffs against structured milestones, and navigating long AEC sales cycles with demo-day momentum. Panelists will share success stories, cautionary tales, and decision frameworks so attendees can assess whether an accelerator accelerates growth or just adds pressure.
Speakers:
Parker Mundt, Partner, Head of Platform, Suffolk Technologies
Bhragan Paramanantham, Platform Lead & Head of Content, Formwork Labs
Alex Lambert, Venture Capital Manager, mHUB
Khalid Abounassif, Director, Innovation & Construction Technology, EllisDon
Fundraising and Exits in the Later Stages (Later Stage)
As ConTech matures, later-stage funding and exits are increasingly driven by proof of scalability, clear unit economics, and strong integration into contractor workflows. Growth and late-stage rounds are flowing toward platforms with enterprise deployments, AI-driven capabilities, and demonstrable impact on risk, margin, and productivity, even as fundraising cycles lengthen and diligence intensifies. On the exit side, strategic M&A and private equity roll-ups remain the dominant paths, with IPOs still the exception rather than the norm for construction technology companies. This session will unpack how founders, investors, and strategic acquirers are navigating today’s environment; what “late-stage ready” really looks like, how consolidation is reshaping the ecosystem, and what it takes to position a ConTech company for a successful outcome in a market where scale, focus, and operational discipline matter more than ever.
Speakers:
Spencer Cogan, Investment Associate, Gray Capital (Moderator)
Jenny Song, Partner, Navitas Capital
Elias Tefarikis, Founder & CEO, Smyrna Labs
Sang Yoon Choi, Director, GS Futures
Technology in the Shop - Fab Shops, Tools, and Equipment (Mid Sized and Specialty AEC)
Behind every efficient project is a well-equipped shop that blends craftsmanship with technology. From digital layout tools and automated cutting systems to robotics, IoT integrations, and cloud-connected equipment, fabrication shops are redefining what productivity and precision look like. This session brings together leaders from forward-thinking contractors and fabricators to discuss how they’re modernizing their shop operations, evaluating new tools, and training teams to work alongside technology. Expect insights on implementation challenges, ROI considerations, and how shop-floor innovation translates directly to jobsite performance and project delivery.
Speakers:
Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication, SMACNA
Steve Matson, VP, Digital Product Management, Milwaukee Tool
Burcin Kaplanoglu, CTO, SBK Technologies
IIT Research Project Pitches I - College of Architecture(Chicago Track)
Join us for an interdisciplinary showcase where teams of architecture students present their semester-long research findings to a panel of esteemed academic and industry experts in a high-stakes competition for grant funding. Topics as follows:
Speakers:
Chanyoung Jeong, B. Arch Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Avery Watson, B. Arch Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Fionn Hui, B. Arch Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Emmett Mach, Student, Illinois Institute of Technology
Ivan Gonzalez-Vazquez, Master of Architecture Student, Illinois Institute of Technology
Nayoung Im, Student, Illinois Institute of Technology
Bjorn Hallberg Caplette, B. Arch Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Yeong Jae Lee, B. Arch Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Nicholas Papas, B. Arch Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Maria Fernanda Fernandes Alcantara, B. Arch Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
The AI Safety Net: Navigating Risk in the New Era of Construction
In an industry where margins are thin and regulations are thick, risk management is more than just a department. It is a survival strategy. While the AECO sector is traditionally risk-averse, the integration of Artificial Intelligence offers a paradigm shift from reactive troubleshooting to predictive mitigation. This session brings together representatives from the entire project lifecycle. The group will explore how AI-driven tools are being used to identify hidden liabilities, quantify uncertainty, and streamline compliance in highly regulated environments.
Speakers:
Corentin Caniego, CATALYST Program Manager, VINCI (Moderator)
Philippe Rival, CEO & Co-founder, Enlaye
Christian Tricoire, Chairman & CEO, VINCI Construction Grands Projets USA
Alice Leung, Principal, Brick & Mortar Ventures
IIT Research Project Pitches II - College of Engineering (Chicago Track)
Join us for additional presentations from Ph.D. candidates from IIT's College of Engineering, who will present their research findings to a panel of esteemed academic and industry experts in a high-stakes competition for grant funding. Topics as follows:
IL-iMap: Portable LiDAR–Inertial Mapping with Real-Time RGB Colorized Point Clouds for BIM-Integrated Construction Inspection
Empowering Construction Workers’ Training in Mixed Reality Environments with Machine Learning
Sensor-Free Wearable System for Activity and Fatigue Detection in Worker Safety Monitoring
Speakers:
Pedro Dulato, Engineering Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Xuanchang Liu, Engineering Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Seonghwan Lim, Engineering Student, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Where Do I Start? Technology Development and Road Mapping for Mid Sized Contractors (Mid Sized and Specialty AEC)
For many mid-sized contractors, investing in technology isn’t a question of if, it’s a matter of how and where to begin. With limited resources, competing priorities, and a rapidly expanding ConTech landscape, knowing which tools will deliver real operational value can be overwhelming. This session breaks down practical strategies for assessing your organization’s digital maturity, setting achievable tech goals, and building a phased technology roadmap. Industry experts and contractor leaders will share lessons learned from evaluating platforms, managing change, and aligning innovation with business strategy. Participants will leave with a clear, actionable path toward smarter, scalable technology adoption.
Speakers:
Marielle Price, Chief Strategy Officer, Fieldwire by Hilti
Blake MacGregor, VP of Project Development & Preconstruction, Bulley & Andrews
Rachael Becker, Strategic Growth and Partnerships, HPA Design Group
Melvin J. Henley, President, PAC Leaders Construction LLC
Early Stage Demo Day
Presenting Companies:
Armeta Inc., Crewscope, Jobotics AI, Modelizer.ai, Sandbox Carbon, Structo, Structured AI
Judging Companies:
GroundBreak Ventures, Iron Prairie Ventures, Kajima Corporation, Moderne Ventures, SNAK Ventures, UFP Ventures, Zacua Ventures, Amrize
Growth/Later Stage Technology Showcase
The Growth/Later Stage Technology Showcase is an opportunity for more established technology providers to present what they've built to date and how the industry leverages their tech. This session is particularly useful for small-to-mid-sized groups that are assessing various technologies as they consider which to implement.
Presenting Companies:
Engineered Vibration Solutions (Calmfloor), SmartPM Technologies, Yourco
Reception
Day 3 Schedule
Breakfast & Networking
Welcome Address
Sustainability Initiatives Across the Americas (MCHAP) - Agents of Change: Architectures of Urban Transformation and Regenerative Futures (Chicago Track)
The Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize at the Illinois Institute of Technology, founded in 2012 in Chicago, is a biennial award recognizing excellence in built works of architecture in the Americas. The result is a rich array of outputs: engaging events and symposia, inventive studios and workshops, and sophisticated, globally recognized publications. In this session, the MCHAP Director and MCHAP Fellow will discuss perspectives behind the works of architecture and how the prize reflects on the evolving role of architectural practice within global networks of innovation and cultural exchange.
Speakers:
Dirk Denison, Director, Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP)
Jayhawk Reese-Julien, MCHAP Fellow, Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP)
Future of Infrastructure
Infrastructure lies at the heart of global progress — shaping how we live, work, and connect. Yet today, the systems that support our cities and economies are being tested by rapid urbanization, shifting climate realities, and emerging technologies that are transforming every phase of design, construction, and operation. This session explores what the next decade of infrastructure could look like, considering new approaches to resilience, data-driven planning, investment, and sustainability. From smarter cities and connected assets to evolving materials and delivery models, the discussion will examine how the AEC industry can collaborate to meet the challenges, and seize the opportunities, of a rapidly changing world.
Speakers:
Amit Bose, Formerly - Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration
Tariq Masud, Senior Project Manager, Parsons Corporation
Mariah Ray, SVP of Government Affairs, Glydways
Edward (Ted) Coffey, VP Advisory Services. STV Incorporated
Words from our Sponsor: WakeCap
Speaker:
Hassan Albalawi, CEO & Founder, WakeCap
Typical Early Stage Pitfalls and How to Move Past Them (Early Stage)
Early-stage ConTech startups often stumble by building flashy demos or SaaS products that prioritize investor appeal over proven jobsite value and customer workflows. Other common traps include inadequate market validation, chasing too many features or pilot requests without product-market fit, premature scaling before repeatable sales, and ignoring the industry's long sales cycles and offline realities. This session breaks down these pitfalls with real-world examples from AEC failures, offering actionable strategies for founders to prioritize real problem-solving, validate with field users early, streamline for traction, and build sustainable paths to growth.
Speakers:
Aaron Toppston, Managing Partner, GS Futures
Michael Palmer, Partner, Great Wave Ventures
Michael Sachaj, Partner, HPA VC
Offsite Construction Case Study - BLOX & Fifth Third Bank: Buildings As Products
A case study in launching and scaling a program for Fifth Third Bank using the Design Manufacture Construct delivery method. Built for speed, approximately 85% of the work was shifted to the factory, allowing construction to begin before manufacturing was complete. With the right team and a product mindset, three projects opened to the public in 2025, with plans to open ten in 2026.
Speakers:
Corinne Ambler, VP of Program and Product Delivery, BLOX
Gloria Samuel, Senior Vice President, Fifth Third Bank
Networking / Coffee Break
AI Use Cases Industry Leaders are Most Excited About
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are moving rapidly from experimentation to real-world impact across the built environment. In this session, industry leaders and innovators explore the AI applications generating the most buzz, and delivering tangible results, in design, construction, and operations. From predictive scheduling and quality control to generative design, risk management, and sustainable materials optimization, panelists will share insights into where AI is truly adding value today and where it’s headed next. This session offers an on-the-ground look at how forward-thinking teams are turning data into smarter, faster, and more efficient project outcomes.
Speakers:
Hrishi Maha, Leader Data and AI, DPR Construction
Eveart Foster, Integrations, Subject Matter Expert, Autodesk
Mark Cichy, Director of Design Technology, HOK
Mani Golparvar-Fard, CSO Reconstruct and University of Illinois Professor/Entrepreneurial Fellow
Morning Spotlight II - Generic AI Can't Read Your Drawings: A Technical Deep Dive
The broad adoption of AI has construction teams wondering if they can solve the drawing review problem themselves with off-the-shelf AI models, self-built prompt engineering, or low-code agent builders. The short answer: they can't. Generic models aren't trained on the visual language of construction — revision clouds, symbols, common objects, and the relationships between sheets. In this session, Dunchadhn Lyons, Sr Director of AI of Trunk Tools, breaks down what it actually took to build TrunkReview, the industry's first fully automated AI agent for construction drawings. He'll walk through the development of an agent that compares revisions, identifies every change — including those not in clouds — and delivers visual overlays paired with plain-English narratives. Joshua Weyand, Sr Strategic Client Partner and former Director of Emerging Technologies at Suffolk Construction, will also share the customer insights that fueled the development of TrunkReview and real-world results happening on projects around the United States: nearly 6-hour bulletin reviews reduced to under five minutes, faster starts on change orders, and design changes caught that teams would otherwise miss. Finally, the speakers will make the case that the gap between text-based and vision-based AI is the most important frontier in construction technology.
Speaker:
Joshua Weyand, Sr. Strategic Client Partner, Trunk Tools
Dunchadhn Lyons, Sr. Director of AI, Trunk Tools
Autonomous Construction Equipment
The rise of autonomous and semi-autonomous machinery is reshaping what’s possible on the jobsite. From earthmoving and grading to material transport and site inspection, automation is driving new levels of safety, productivity, and precision across construction operations. This session explores the current state and near future of autonomous equipment — examining real-world deployments, emerging business models, workforce implications, and the evolving balance between man and machine. Attendees will gain a clearer view of how autonomy is advancing, what barriers remain, and how data, connectivity, and AI are powering the next generation of smart equipment on infrastructure and building projects alike.
Speakers:
Henri Lee, CEO & Co-Founder, Xpanner
Dai Ohama, General Manager, Innvation ＆ Incubation Office, Kajima Corporation
Arjun Mohan, CEO, TENDERD
Zachary Birky, Sr. Investment Manager, Caterpillar Ventures
Offsite Construction Today and Tomorrow
Offsite construction has moved well beyond experimentation, it is reshaping how the industry delivers complex projects. As supply chains mature and new technologies enable greater precision and integration, experts are rethinking everything from design collaboration to manufacturing workflows and on-site assembly. This session brings together leaders driving innovation in prefabrication, productization, manufacturing and modular construction to discuss what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s next. Topics include scaling production, balancing standardization with customization, and aligning procurement, design, and construction in a more connected, industrialized process.
Speakers:
Justin Schwaiger, Prefabrication Technology Leader, DPR Construction
Bruce Alton, Co-Founder & CEO, RoBIM Technologies
Josh Lobel, Sr. Global Business Development Executive, Autodesk
Morning Spotlight III - EllisDon/Building Digital Workshop
This workshop is meant to provide a benchmark for understanding how construction organizations can build data environments that are accurate, scalable, and ready for new tools entering the market. Data is a quiet, but necessary, infrastructure for unlocking predictive insights, automation, and a more connected project delivery process.
Representatives from EllisDon’s Building Digital team offer general signals for digital readiness – consistent data capture, intentional structure, and adaptable governance – offering a benchmark for assessments on digital preparedness.
Speakers:
Rory Smith, Director, Business Development, DDE, EllisDon
Monjur Dewan, Manager, Data Engineering, EllisDon
The Evolution of Modern Building Products and Materials
As pressure mounts to cut embodied carbon, reduce waste, and improve building performance, materials are becoming one of the most dynamic fronts in AEC innovation. From low‑carbon and carbon‑sequestering concrete to bio-based composites, high‑performance insulation, and smart or self-healing materials, new solutions are challenging long-standing assumptions about cost, risk, and constructability. This session convenes leading practitioners, researchers, and investors to examine which sustainable material technologies are moving from pilot to scale, how they are changing design and delivery decisions, and what it will take across codes, supply chains, and financing to make next-generation materials the default rather than the exception.
Speakers:
Ashley Cagle, Senior Technical Director, WoodWorks
Kjell Anderson, Director of Sustainable Design, LMN Architects
Joanne Rodriguez, Partnerships Director, The Biomimicry Institute
Innovations in Field Operations
Field operations are where project plans meet real-world conditions, and where technology, process, and people either come together—or fall apart. As jobsites become more connected and data-rich, operations leaders are rethinking how they coordinate crews, manage risk, capture information, and keep work moving safely and efficiently. This session brings together experts responsible for day-to-day delivery to discuss how digital tools, automation, and smarter workflows are reshaping inspections, safety, logistics, quality, and communication between the field and office. Panelists will share hard-earned lessons on what actually drives improvement in the field, how to avoid creating digital busywork, and where they see the next wave of operational gains coming from.
Speakers:
Nick Heim, Fractional Director of Innovation, Trinovate Advisors (Moderator)
Hammad Chaudhry, Principal, Strategic Ventures, Cupix
Michael Pink, CEO, SmartPM Technologies
Ben Stocker, Senior Construction Technologist, Skender
BuiltWorlds Benchmarking Research Overview Presentation
This presentation will detail BuiltWorlds’ Annual Benchmarking Program, highlighting how AEC organizations are adopting and implementing various technologies. The session will present information on the data collected, value of participating, and ultimate outcomes from the annual surveys.
Speaker:
Audrey Lynch, Director of Research, BuiltWorlds
Lunch & Vendor Exhibition
From Seed Investors to Sovereigns. How has the Investment Landscape in the Built World Shifted in Recent Years?
The funding ecosystem for AEC technology has transformed over recent years, evolving from niche seed and Series A bets into a multi-billion-dollar arena attracting corporate venture arms, infrastructure funds, and even sovereign wealth pools. What began with startups tackling point solutions in software and robotics now draws scaled capital chasing platform plays in modular construction, digital twins, and decarbonization technologies. This session features global venture leaders charting how investor profiles, deal sizes, valuations, and exit paths have shifted — and what those changes signal for founders, operators, and the next wave of Built World innovation.
Speakers:
Jason Blumberg, Managing Director, Earth Foundry
Lucas Pasch, Principal, Heartland Ventures
Alice Leung, Principal, Brick & Mortar Ventures
Data Center Infrastructure
This session unpacks how technology and innovation are helping stakeholders overcome constraints tied to power, water, and labor availability, while rethinking design, procurement, and delivery for these complex, high-stakes projects. From power-dense layouts and advanced cooling systems to modular prefabrication and digitally enabled workflows, panelists will discuss navigating compressed timelines, supply chain bottlenecks, sustainability mandates, and workforce shortages as the industry races to build the next generation of digital infrastructure.
Panelists:
Benjamin Stephenson, Founder & CEO, Digital Workshop Group (Moderator)
James Coe, Senior Principal, Syska Hennessy Group
Doug Chambers, Chief Development Officer, Aston Labs
Matt Fillmore, V.P. Mission Critical Division Lead, Barge Design Solutions
Sami Syed, Senior Business Development Manager, Enercon Services
Creating Your Own Technology Charter Workshop
A technology charter is a strategic framework that aligns people, processes, and technology to ensure successful adoption and long-term value. In this interactive workshop, attendees will explore the key components of a technology charter, from defining objectives and measuring ROI to securing leadership buy-in and fostering a culture of innovation. Through hands-on collaboration, participants will work in teams to develop a tailored framework they can bring back to their organizations.
Speakers:
Brian Tracy, Director of Construction Management, Ausonio Incorporated
Patrick Cotter, Managing Director, Operations, Consertus
The Future of Architecture and Design Technologies
The future of architecture and design technologies is accelerating toward seamless integration of AI, computational tools, and real-time collaboration, enabling unprecedented creativity and efficiency in the built environment. This general session convenes visionary leaders to explore how generative design, parametric modeling, digital twins, and immersive realities are transforming workflows from concept to completion. Panelists will unpack emerging platforms that automate iteration, optimize performance, and embed sustainability from the earliest sketches, while addressing the skills, standards, and cultural shifts needed to make these tools standard practice across the AEC industry.
Speakers:
Dr. David Gerber, Professor, Program Director, Advisor, University of Southern California (Moderator)
Alex Serriere, EVP & CTO, TEECOM
Stuti Bhardwaj, Technical Designer, Gensler
Zhexiong Chai, Vice President, Sr. Computational Designer, HKS Architects
Jordana de Castro Rosa, BIM Manager, WSP
Mission-Ready Infrastructure: Partnering with the Department of War to Build the Future
The Department of War is supercharging its industrial base, moving from slow-moving acquisition to agile partnerships with game-changing impacts on infrastructure. This session moves beyond policy to pinpoint the demand signal. Hear directly from the infrastructure engineering commands of the Navy (NAVFAC), Army (USACE), and Air Force (AFCEC) as they detail their most urgent needs and break down real investments driving measurable ROI, the data infrastructure making it possible, and how they are overcoming hurdles to embed innovation as a core capability, not a side project.
Speakers:
John Michael Nurthen, Lt. Cdr Civil Engineer Corps, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, United States Navy
Matthew Parks, Chief AI Officer, Army Corps of Engineers
Paul Ruffo, Chief Technology Officer, National Institute of Building Sciences
Building a Supply Chain Strategy to Support Growth and Resiliency
With nearly 50% of total project costs tied to materials and supplies, construction organizations must treat supply chain strategy as a core driver of growth, not a back-office function. This session explores how leaders can align strategy, innovation, and investment, bringing GCs, trade partners, owners, and suppliers into earlier, more integrated collaboration, to move beyond technology alone and unlock the full value of industrialized construction.
Speakers:
Siavash Mohseni, Corporate Venture Capital & Innovation, Hensel Phelps
Rajesh Gangula, AI Supply Chain Modernization Leader, SwankTek
Ojonimi Bako, Founder &CEO, Kaya AI
Chris Callen, Founder/CEO, PLOT
Afternoon Spotlight I - Lessons From What AI Actually Finds in Construction Documents
Over the past year, CIM Build has been running AI-driven reviews across live tender packages, systematically cross-referencing specifications against drawings at a scale no human team can match. The same coordination failures show up project after project, hiding in plain sight across hundreds of pages nobody has time to fully read. This talk shares what CIM Build found, where the gaps are, and what it means for how contractors actually manage risk.
Speakers:
Jacky Wong, CEO, CIM Build
Afternoon Break
Spotlight Session: Mota-Engil -"The Center for Future Worlds"
The Center for Future Worlds, by Mota-Engil, is a frontier “do-tank” that was born from the conviction that the future of the built environment will not be defined by concrete or code alone, but by the connection between humanity, sustainability and technology. From the beautiful Porto, in Portugal, and in a landmark project by Kengo Kuma, the Center is an innovation hub that stands at the intersection where engineering precision meets human imagination, where digital innovation serves physical and emotional wellbeing, and where every structure tells a story of possibility.
This is not just about building smarter: it's about building with purpose, compassion, and vision for generations to come.
Speaker:
Rui Coutinho, Chief Innovation Officer, Mota-Engil
Building the Future Workforce
In a market with tightening access to skilled labor, the industry is turning to connected jobsites, real-time data, and digital tools to maximize workforce productivity, safety, and performance. This session brings together industry practitioners to examine how data-driven insights, connected workers, and jobsite platforms are reshaping safety, productivity, talent management, and decision-making from the job site to all levels of the organization. Panelists will share how the industry is modernizing workforce development through technology-enabled training, digital fluency, and cross-disciplinary credentials—supported by partnerships with educational institutions, unions and labor organizations, and technology providers—to build adaptable, safety-first teams for increasingly complex projects.
Speakers:
Abel Esquivel Luna, HR Director, Zachry Construction Corporation
Hassan Albalawi, CEO & Founder, WakeCap
Antonia Elisa Soler Blasco, VP of Marketing and Head of Hilti Venture, Hilti
Shelley Finnigan, Associate Dean, Masters and Professional Education, Northwestern University - MPM and EMDC
The New ROI in Real Estate?
For decades, the conversation around ROI in commercial real estate has been narrow—dominated by payback periods, upfront costs, and capital constraints. Today, that lens is shifting from “How much does this cost?” to “How much value will this create?” as new regulations, tenant expectations, investor demands, and climate realities redefine what performance looks like. Investors who strategically embed sustainability across the full real estate lifecycle are finding that the real upside isn’t just in reducing expenses, but in how decarbonization reshapes the capital stack.
Speaker:
Brad Dockser, CEO, Co-Founder, GreenGen
Debra Dockser, President, GreenGen
Jacob Dockser, Director of Growth, Corten Collective
From Networking to Acquisition: The Document Crunch Success Story
This closing session explores the strategic journey of Document Crunch, from its early days on the BuiltWorlds stage in 2020 to its recent landmark acquisition by Trimble. Featuring the key founders, venture capitalists, and corporate strategists involved, the panel offers a rare "behind-the-scenes" look at how consistent industry networking and ecosystem partnerships drive high-value exits in the ConTech space.
Speakers:
Josh Levy, Co-Founder & CEO, Document Crunch
Vivin Hegde, Managing Partner, Zacua Ventures
Jenny Song, Partner, Navitas Capital
James Park, Sr. Director, Strategy and Corporate Development, Trimble
Closing Remarks
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