When
Apr 14, 2026 - Apr 16, 2026
Where
,Convening the Built Environment's Global Innovation Leaders
Data-Driven Insights into Key Industry Trends, INCLUDING:
AI Through the Project Life Cycle | Sustainability and Resilience Around the World | The Data Center Boom | Robots, Advanced Equipment and the Workforce | Offsite Construction, Modularization, and Pre-Fabrication | Private Equity, Global M&A, and Industry Consolidation | Early and Growth Stage Startups and Venture Investment
A Unique Mix of Forward Thinking, Senior Leaders from Across the Ecosystem, INCLUDING:
Owners, Architects, Engineers, General Contractor, Specialty Contractors, Materials Companies, Big Tech, Startups, Investors, Tool & Equipment Companies, Academia, and Services
Delegates from more than a dozen countries around the world.
The majority of attendees will be principles, C-suite, vice president and director-level executives.
High Impact Relationship Building, INCLUDING:
The CEO Annual Meeting, providing a unique peer-to-peer opportunity for the industry's senior leaders (limited to 40 participants)
Six closed-Door, Research Track Working Group Sessions and Dinners
Four main halls will running focused, concurrent sessions for smaller discussion groups of thirty to one hundred people.
Hands on, offsite visits providing further opportunities for deeper engagement.
Sign Up Now and Reserve a Spot in One of the Research Tracks:
AI | Business Strategy CEO Annual Forum | Robotics and Equipment | Construction Tech | Buildings | Infrastructure | Venture | Offsite Construction and Modular Building
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 Speaker Include
Brick Cassidy
Director of The Fabrication Center for the College of Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology
Agenda
Day 1 Schedule
CEO Annual Meeting Sessions
The 2026 CEO Meeting is an annual gathering of BuiltWorlds’ Business Strategy Track members intended to provide a small, private event with two days of exclusive programming, featuring innovative industry experts and executives from around the globe.
Day 2 Schedule
CEO Annual Meeting Sessions Continued
Restricted to members of BuiltWorlds' Business Strategy Track members.
Venture & Investment Research Track Working Group Meeting
Session Abstract and Speakers TBA
AI/ML Preparedness 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.
CEO Forum Lunch with Tech Entrepreneurs
The CEO Forum / Tech Entrepreneurs Lunch is an opportunity for industry executives from leading AECO firms to meet connect with startup founders and CEO's from BuiltWorlds' network over lunch in an intimate, yet engaging setting.
Startup Garage - Fundraising Dos/Don'ts (Early Stage)
Speakers:
Jesse Devitte, Co-Founder & General Partner, Building Ventures
Vivin Hegde, GP and Founding Partner, Zacua Ventures
Melissa Cheong, Managing Partner, Blackhorn Ventures
You Raised a Series A, Now What? (Later Stage)
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 the Mid Market (Mid Sized and Specialty AEC)
Should I Join an Accelerator? (Early Stage)
Speakers:
Parker Mundt, Partner, Head of Platform, Suffolk Technologies
Fundraising and Exits in the Later Stages (Later Stage)
Technology in the Shop - Fab Shops, Tools, and Equipment (Mid Sized and Specialty AEC)
IIT Research Project Collaboration Pitches I (Chicago Track)
Typical Early Stage Pitfalls and How to Move Past Them (Early Stage)
Speakers:
Aaron Toppston, Managing Partner, GS Futures
Michael Palmer, Partner, Great Wave Ventures
Customer Insights - Pains and Opportunities from the Customer's Perspective (Later Stage)
IIT Research Project Collaboration Pitches II (Chicago Track)
Early Stage Demo Day
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.
Where Do I Start? Technology Development and Road Mapping for Mid Sized Contractors (Mid Sized and Specialty AEC)
Sustainability Initiatives Across the Americas (MCHAP) - Agents of Change: Architectures of Urban Transformation and Regenerative Futures (Chicago Track)
Reception
Day 3 Schedule
Breakfast & Networking
Welcome Address
Opening Keynote
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.
Morning Spotlight I
Contech Talk - Where Does Project Management Go From Here?
Project management in construction is changing rapidly, and unevenly. From legacy platforms to AI-enabled tools, every contractor and AEC firm is charting its own path toward more connected, data-driven delivery. In this open dialogue, project leaders from across the industry share how their teams are actually using today’s project management software—what’s helping, what’s holding them back, and what they hope comes next. Together, they’ll explore the real-world hurdles of integration, workflow consistency, and digital fatigue, while uncovering emerging practices pushing the industry toward smarter, more transparent collaboration on and off the jobsite.
Sustainability Case Study
Session Details TBD
Networking / Coffee Break
AI Use Cases People 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.
Morning Spotlight II
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.
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.
Global Leaders in Venture Investing
Investment in construction and built environment technology continues to expand and diversify, driven by global demand for smarter, more sustainable infrastructure. In this session, venture leaders from around the world discuss the evolving landscape of AEC innovation, where capital is flowing, which technologies are gaining traction, and how regional and sector-specific trends are shaping the next generation of industry transformation. From AI and robotics to materials, energy, and supply chain solutions, panelists will share insights from the front lines of venture investing and explore what’s next for startups and investors driving change in the built world.
Morning Spotlight III
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.
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.
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.
Mid Sized Contractors Do's and Don'ts
Mid-sized contractors navigate a high-stakes sweet spot in construction — capable of scaling for bigger wins, yet vulnerable to the same labor crunches, cost swings, and competitive pressures hitting everyone else. This session delivers straight-talk do’s and don’ts from peers who’ve cracked the code on sustainable growth, sharing hard-won strategies for smart bidding, workforce retention, tech stack prioritization, risk allocation, and client management without overextending. Expect practical wisdom on avoiding common traps like underpriced fixed bids, siloed operations, or chasing volume over profitability in an era of tight margins and rising demands.
Data Center Infrastructure
Data center construction is booming as cloud and AI demand skyrockets, pushing the industry to deliver hyperscale facilities faster, greener, and more resilient than ever before. This session examines how AEC teams are rethinking design, procurement, and delivery for these complex, high-stakes projects, from power-dense layouts and advanced cooling systems to modular prefabrication and liquid-cooled racks. Panelists will discuss navigating compressed timelines, supply chain bottlenecks, sustainability mandates, and the specialized workforce needed to keep pace with tech giants racing to build the next generation of digital infrastructure.
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.
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.
AI/ML Hottest Applications
AI/ML applications are hitting peak momentum in AEC, moving from pilots to production with game-changing impacts on design, delivery, and operations. This session spotlights the hottest, most proven uses right now, generative design automating complex iterations, predictive analytics slashing schedule risks, computer vision powering quality inspections and safety monitoring, and natural language processing streamlining RFIs, submittals, and change orders. Experts will break down real deployments driving measurable ROI, the data infrastructure making it possible, and how teams are overcoming integration hurdles to embed AI as a core capability rather than a side project.
Contech Preconstruction Automation
Preconstruction remains a bottleneck where poor planning cascades into delays, cost overruns, and disputes—but automation is changing that equation fast. This session dives into how contech tools are streamlining estimating, bidding, subcontractor coordination, and early risk analysis with AI-powered takeoff, automated RFI generation, dynamic cost modeling, and clash-free coordination starting from day one. Experts will unpack real-world implementations that cut preconstruction cycles by weeks, improve bid win rates, and embed constructability directly into design handoffs, while tackling data silos and change management head-on.
Afternoon Spotlight I
Afternoon Break
Spotlight Session: Mota-Engil
Session Details TBD
Building the Future Workforce
Building the future workforce is a defining challenge for AEC as demographics shift, technology accelerates, and project demands intensify. This session brings together industry leaders, educators, and innovators to explore strategies for attracting, upskilling, and retaining talent—from bridging generational gaps and diversifying pipelines to embedding digital fluency, safety culture, and adaptability into every role. Panelists will discuss proven models for apprenticeships, VR/AR training, cross-disciplinary certifications, and partnerships with tech and academia that are delivering measurable results in a tight labor market.
Owner Perspectives on Innovation in AEC
Owner perspectives are pivotal in driving AEC innovation, as building owners and operators increasingly demand faster timelines, lower costs, and greener outcomes from their project partners. This session gathers forward-thinking owners, from corporate real estate, public agencies, developers, and institutional investors, to share how they're pushing boundaries with tech-enabled delivery models, performance-based contracts, and integrated teams that prioritize outcomes over traditional methods. Panelists will discuss real experiences adopting digital twins, modular strategies, AI risk forecasting, and sustainability metrics, plus the incentives, roadblocks, and leadership tactics that make true innovation stick beyond the pilot phase.
Afternoon Spotlight II - AI/ML
Business Strategy CEO Forum: Closing Discussion - Rebuilding a Company from the Inside Out
Restricted to members of BuiltWorlds' Business Strategy Track members.
Closing Remarks
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