Tuesday, March 17, 2026

7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. National Committee Meetings

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration Open

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Registration Open (Registration will close from 5:30-6:45 p.m.)

8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Construction Management Competition

The Construction Management Competition provides competing university and college teams an opportunity to experience a real-world construction project with unique characteristics and challenges. Participating teams assemble a general contracting firm that represents their school and ABC student chapter in the competition.

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7 a.m.-3 p.m. National Board of Directors Registration

8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. National Board of Directors Meeting

12:15-1:45 p.m. Association Excellence Awards

The Association Excellence Awards luncheon recognizes and celebrates chapter achievement in membership growth and retention, STEP® participation and other major accomplishments in 2025.

National board members, proxies and chapter presidents receive a complimentary ticket to this event, which is the official lunch for the National Board of Directors meeting. Other convention attendees interested in attending this pre-convention event must purchase a ticket during the registration process.

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3:30-5 p.m. Exhibit Hall Grand Opening and Reception
Full convention and opening night celebration ticket holders only.


  Watch Last Year's NCC Highlights! Join us for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and food, fun and networking with more than 100 exhibitors. Visit with the exhibitors and register for multiple giveaways throughout the hall. Become a part of the mission at Roc Solid Foundation and help build a backyard playset for a family fighting pediatric cancer. You'll find out why Roc Solid says, "play defeats cancer," and we guarantee you will see what hope looks like for the childhood cancer community.

Then, stop by the ABC Member Engagement booth to snag some swag and cap off your visit at the Tech Alliance hat bar!

5:30-7 p.m. Opening General Session With Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, Fighter Pilot, Folds of Honor Founder, PGA Pro and Bestselling Author Followed by the Construction Workforce Awards
Open to full convention ticket holders only.

How To Overcome Obstacles To Reach Your Greatest Potential

Lt. Col. Dan Rooney is a highly decorated F-16 fighter pilot with three combat tours in Iraq and the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that has awarded nearly 62,000 educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Rooney will discuss leadership, fighter pilot lessons, Folds of Honor, unlocking talents through faith and embracing resistance with a resilient spirit.

Celebrate the Construction Workforce Awards winners: the Craft Instructor of the Year, Craft Professional of the Year, Young Professional of the Year and—new in 2026—the Health and Safety Professional of the Year. Plus, meet the 2026 chair of the ABC National Board of Directors.

7:15-9:30 p.m. Opening Night Celebration
Full convention and opening night celebration ticket holders only.

Saddle up for our Western Winter Soiree—Salt Lake City style! Kick off convention week with cozy lodge vibes, twinkle lights and toe-tappin’ tunes. Sip craft cocktails, local whiskeys and dirty sodas, and sample Utah-inspired bites and flavorful jerky while you craft your own s’more. Ride the mechanical bull and brush up on your line dancing skills! Dress smart-western and mingle with industry trailblazers. Warm up the night as we celebrate, create fresh connections and enjoy a little frontier fun.

Thursday, March 19, 2026

6 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration Open

7:30-10 a.m. National Board of Directors Registration

8-10 a.m. National Board of Directors Meeting

8 a.m-3 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open

Watch the National Craft Championship competitors in actions! Visit with more than 100 exhibitors and register for multiple giveaways throughout the hall. Become a part of the mission at Roc Solid Foundation and help build a backyard playset for a family fighting pediatric cancer. You'll find out why Roc Solid says, "play defeats cancer," and we guarantee you will see what hope looks like for the childhood cancer community.

Then, stop by the ABC Member Engagement booth to snag some swag and cap off your visit at the Tech Alliance hat bar!

8 a.m.-3 p.m. National Craft Championships

ABC presents the National Craft Championships annually to highlight the achievements of the people who represent the future of the construction industry. Exceptional craft trainees and apprentices travel from across the country to demonstrate their superior skills, training and safe work practices and compete for top honors in their chosen craft. For training sponsors, employers and ABC chapters, the NCC demonstrates a staunch commitment to the career paths the construction industry offers.

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9-10 a.m. Industry Insight Sessions             
Open to full convention attendees only.

9–10 a.m.
From Risk to Reward—How Smart Risk Management Wins Bigger Projects

Panel: Brock Grabarkew, Risk Management Advisor, POWERS Insurance & Risk Management; Robert Worden, Commercial Sales Manager, POWERS Insurance & Risk Management

Discover how to turn proactive risk management into a profit center that drives opportunities, builds credibility and protects long-term growth and profitability. We’ll connect the dots between strong risk practices and bonding capacity to paint a clear picture of how identifying risk factors directly affects a contractor’s ability to secure more—and larger—projects and turn insurance and bonding requirements from expenses into a competitive and sustainable profit center.

9–10 a.m.
What Construction Teams Need To Know About AI and How To Actually Use It

Speaker: Rowan Steel-Hall, COO, Smartbuild

AI has moved from a buzzword to a jobsite reality, but for many construction teams it still feels complex or out of reach. This session breaks AI down to what matters most: how to start small, stay practical, and see real impact without disrupting existing workflows.

Drawing from real projects and conversations with field and office teams, Rowan Steel Hall explores how today’s AI tools can help manage information faster, improve reporting, and reduce repetitive work. Attendees will leave with a simple framework for building confidence with AI and a clear roadmap for where to begin.

9–10 a.m.
Mind Your Business: Why a Focus on Mental Health Training Just Makes Sense

Speaker: Zeke Smith, Director, Marketing & Workforce Development, Apache Industrial

The statistics on mental health and suicide in construction are alarming and simply being aware of this crisis is no longer enough. Gain insights and discuss real solutions for training and developing a more resilient and mentally strong workforce to create a culture of care in an environment focused on total human health.

9:15–10 a.m.
Developing a Culture of Influence and Accountability—Solving the Profit vs. People Dilemma

Speaker: Rodney Garber, Owner + Visionary, Activate Your Influence LLC

Leaders exert a gravitational pull that shapes their organization in one of two directions: profit and process or people and culture. The healthiest organizations cultivate a culture of influence and accountability where influence inspires and equips people, and accountability sustains results. Take home a clear framework for identifying your company’s current cultural pull, balancing people and profit and developing sustainable practices that lead to long-term growth and legacy impact.

10:15-11:15 a.m. Industry Insight Sessions             
Open to full convention attendees only.

10:15–11:15 a.m.
ABC's Multiskilling Research Panel

Panelists: Mark Brooks, Chief Security Officer, Cianbro; Ryann Kidd, Senior Project Manager, Kwest Group; Josh Klein, General Superintendent, Hensel Phelps; Brian Lines, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Simplar; Kevin Sell, Senior Manager, Corporate Development, Kwest Group; Todd Stevens, Vice President of Industrial Construction, Metropower

ABC commissioned a research study with Simplar on how members multiskill their craft professionals and how those efforts produce results. Get an overview on the study’s research, progress and findings before the final paper is released. Take away best practices that you can apply at your company and hear from participating contractors and researchers.

10:15–11:15 a.m.
Smart Spend: How AI Turns Materials Costs Into a Competitive Advantage

Speaker: Jared Moor, Vice President of Sales, Kojo

Materials account for up to 40% of total construction costs. With rising prices, supply chain volatility and project complexity, managing that spend efficiently is more critical than ever. Dive into how artificial intelligence-driven solutions can deliver an average of 2% to 5% savings on labor and material costs per project by optimizing procurement, forecasting demand with greater accuracy and reducing waste through smarter planning and inventory control.

10:15–11:15 a.m.
Elevate the Trades: Building People, Culture and Legacy

Speaker: Cory Kundert, CEO, Kundert Construction

With a generational shift in the workforce, growing demand for craftsmanship and a culture that too often undervalues the trades, leadership has never been more critical. Learn to rethink what it means to lead in the trades: to put people first, always, and to raise the bar of culture and excellence. This session will inspire participants to step up, own their impact and elevate the trades for the next generation.

10:15–11:15 a.m.
Build Authority, Win Work—Thought Leadership for Construction Leaders

Speaker: Julia Bonner, President, Pierce Public Relations

Find out how to build authentic thought leadership that drives growth. Using real case studies from AEC firms, discover insights to craft compelling narratives, choose the right channels and leverage PR strategies to strengthen your market position. Learn how to integrate thought leadership into your growth strategy so that when prospects are evaluating firms, you aren’t one of many—you’re the obvious choice.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Viewing of the Construction Management Competition Presentations

Cheer on the teams! At the end of the day’s competition, a short list of teams will be selected to move on to the next round. All convention attendees are invited and encouraged to stop by to see the teams at work during competition day. You also won’t want to miss the final presentations showcasing the top teams!

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11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Industry Insight Sessions             
Open to full convention attendees only.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Self-Perform Labor Productivity Killers and the Importance of Disciplined Labor Planning

Speakers: Stevin Drouin, Senior Vice President of Technology, Interstate Electrical Services; Ryan Meitl, CEO, RIVET Work Inc.

For self-performing contractors, labor productivity drives profit and loss. Learn how to build labor planning processes into your business to increase labor productivity and profit margins. Discover the real cost of not having a good labor planning process, five preventable labor productivity killers backed by research and a process framework for building a labor plan into your self-perform business.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
How AI Is Turning Zero Disputes Into a Reality for Builders

Speaker: Chad Waite, Senior Manager, Channel & Field, Document Crunch

Construction projects are full of disputes that cost time and money. From finger-pointing to legal battles, conflict is just a painful part of the project process ... or is it? See how purpose-built artificial intelligence for construction and Document Crunch empower construction teams to review documents in seconds, guide decisions in the field and assist with finding answers to on-the job questions, all while helping project teams avoid costly risk and strengthen relationships.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Building Resilience: Transforming Mental Health in Construction

Speaker: Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research, Insights and Strategic Communications, TELUS Health

With 83% of construction workers struggling with mental health issues and the industry holding the second-highest suicide rate nationally, the need for action has never been more urgent. Discover exclusive insights from the latest TELUS Mental Health Index data and leave with actionable tools to create psychologically safe construction environments, implement early intervention programs and transform workplace culture to protect your most valuable asset—your people.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
From Chaos to Clarity—Building Strong Teams Through Structure

Speaker: Jerry Aliberti, Owner, Pro-Accel

Growth exposes gaps in leadership and structure but it also creates the perfect opportunity to reset. Walk through the critical building blocks of organizational structure that separate struggling companies from those that scale with confidence. Find out how org charts, defined roles, clear communication channels and accountability systems are not “corporate fluff”—they are the framework that allows people to thrive and companies to grow.

12-3 p.m. Viewing of the National Craft Championships and Lunch
Lunch in Exhibit Hall for full convention ticket holders only.

Catch the second half of the action happening at the ABC National Craft Championships! These competitors exemplify the best of the best from across the nation. Plus, exhibitors will be on hand to connect and share the latest industry technology, products and services. Viewing from 12-3 p.m.

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5:30-9 p.m. Excellence in Construction® Awards Gala
Separate ticketed event.

The Excellence in Construction® Awards celebration honors the nation's most innovative and high-quality construction projects and industry-leading health and safety programs.

Friday, March 20, 2026

7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration Open

8:30-9:45 a.m. Morning Keynote Breakfast With Jason Hewlett, Award-Winning Entertainer and Author
Open to full convention ticket holders only.

Jason Hewlett has delivered thousands of presentations over two decades using entertainment, musical impressions and comedy to teach leaders how to capture their unique leadership promise. He is one of the youngest inductees into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame and is the author of the acclaimed self-help book, "The Promise to the One." His blog, "The Promise," and online videos and courses inspire and educate corporate executives, artists, leaders and families.

10-11 a.m. Industry Insight Sessions             
Open to full convention attendees only.

10-11 a.m.
Competing With Labor for Labor

Speaker: Russell McEwan, Shareholder, Littler, P.C.

Facing a persistent nationwide labor shortage, construction industry employers must compete for talent not only against competitors, but also against building trades unions promising structured training, higher wages and better benefits. Learn best practices to achieve organizational buy-in; recruiting, hiring and onboarding quality candidates; training through apprenticeship; performance management for busy contractors; the role of compliance in employee relations; and strategies for equipping field management with necessary people skills.

10-11 a.m.
Winning Work in the Age of Technology

Speakers: Jim Calvo, Senior Director, National Pursuits, Swinerton; Rham Jawali, CEO, Joist AI

Find out how a leading contractor is evolving its strategy and gain a perspective on technology trends driving this shift. Rethink how you assess opportunities, balance risk and plan long-term revenue. Discover how firms of all sizes can adapt with practical insights to strengthen pursuit strategies, improve revenue forecasting and position teams for success in a data-informed future of winning work.

10-11 a.m.
Creating a Recovery-Friendly Workplace

Speaker: DeAnna Thomas, Vice President, Human Resources, ABC National

10-11 a.m.
Project Team Collaboration Study

Panel: Spencer Moore, Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Joe Powell, Chair, University Research Institute

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Economic Update From Anirban Basu
Open to full convention ticket holders only.

ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu is chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010. Basu teaches the history of economic thought at Goucher College as Distinguished Economist in Residence, and his radio show can be heard weekdays on WYPR, 88.1 FM Baltimore.

5-7 p.m. Careers in Construction Awards

Watch dreams come true at the Careers in Construction Awards, where the winners of the Construction Management Competition and National Craft Championships take center stage for a celebration you won’t soon forget. Honor the best in merit shop construction during this high-energy event.

7:15-10 p.m. Closing Night Celebration
Full convention, celebration combo and closing night celebration ticket holders only.

Cap off the week at our Life Elevated Closing Night Celebration of the Rocky Mountains—soaring peaks perfect for hiking, biking, rock-climbing and skiing. Sample a brew from the rolling craft beer truck, try fly-tying and strike a pose in the camper photo booth. Dance bands will power the vibes as we celebrate Salt Lake memories and preview adventures in Denver at ABC Convention 2027.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Strategic Partners

Host Chapter

Gold Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors