CONSTRUCT, the only national show dedicated to commercial building teams that spec and source materials, has announced a slight change in the show’s format for 2018. CONSTRUCT is introducing Thought Leader and Power Panel Sessions this year, replacing the Keynote Speaker and Game Changer Speaker. These four new sessions will feature key industry leaders speaking on trending topics that are affecting the AEC industry today. The Thought Leader speakers include Rosa T. Sheng, Brok Howard, and Paul Doherty. The Power Panel session will involve successful millennial professionals.

Rosa T. Sheng, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a Principal and Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion at SmithGroupJJR and AIA SF President 2018. She is also the Founding Chair for Equity by Design, which has launched a national movement for achieving equitable practice and design in architecture since 2018. Rosa’s session, titled ‘Why Equity Matters for everyone – A New Value Proposition for Design”, will frame the discussion on how we can adopt a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Brok Howard, is a Technical Account Manager at dRofus Inc. where he leads the effort in implementation, training, and support for all North America. He has over 20 years of experience in the AEC industry, including teaching at Washington University in St. Louis and as a BIM Manager at HOK. Brok’s session titled “Knowledge Transfer – An Ethical Responsibility for AEC Professionals”, will focus on our responsibility and duty to prepare the next generation with the knowledge we share.

Paul Doherty, the President and CEO of the Digit Group, is an award-winning architect, specifier, and adviser to Fortune 500 organizations and government agencies.  He is also one of the co-founders of the AEC Hackathon. His current work is focused on Smart City real estate developments for the USA and abroad.  Paul’s session titled “The Digital Transformation of Specifications” will discuss a new age of specifications driving digital transformations that could only have been dreamed about just a few years ago.

The Power Panel session will be moderated by Cherise Lakeside, Specifier at LSW Architects and co-founder of LetsFixConstruction.com. She will be leading a panel of four millennials through an in-depth discussion where they will dispel some commonly held beliefs about their generation, and what they want for the future of the industry. The panel will consist of Tiffany Coppock from Owens Corning, Cam Featherstonhaugh from TruexCullins Architecture & Interior Design, Kyhla Pollard from Juneau Construction Company, and Michael Riscica from the Young Architect.

The change in format, initiated by feedback from our participants, allows for more in-depth discussions in a more intimate setting.  “Education has always been key for our participants, and we are excited to be able to provide them with multiple sessions from key industry leaders,” said Keith Huegel, Associate Director for CONSTRUCT.  In addition to the Thought Leader Sessions, CONSTRUCT will feature over 50 accredited educational sessions, technical tours and live product demonstrations. Attendees will be able to earn 18 plus hours of CEU’s.

“In addition to our thought leader speakers, we have a number of notable industry professionals that will be presenting on topics that are current to the AEC industry.” Said Jennifer Hughes, Sr. Education Manager for CONSTRUCT. “With the help of our 2018 Education Advisory Council, we have created an exciting program that will provide solutions to the challenges facing AEC professionals today.”

CONSTRUCT 2018 is being held October 3 -5, 2018 in Long Beach, CA at the Long Beach Convention Center.  Registration is now open, and Early Brid pricing ends on June 13, 2018.  To register or for more information, visit www.CONSTRUCTshow.com.