Explore the Agenda

7:15 am Registration, Networking & Coffee

8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Orchestrating Seamless Megaproject Execution

8:10 am Case Study: Maximizing Advanced Manufacturing Facility Performance from Start to Finish

National Director - Project Development, Ryan Companies
  • Reviewing the full project lifecycle to highlight key decisions, roles and responsibilities, and critical coordination points
  • Analyzing operational efficiency for business case validation and enhanced ROI: what are the additional factors that need to be checked, validated and verified for highly technical and large-scale projects?
  • Applying lessons learned to ensure schedule adherence, operational readiness, and consistent project outcomes

8:50 am Panel Discussion: Implementing Cross-Cultural Collaboration Practices to Build Trust & Improve Team Alignment With Global Teams

Senior Project Manager, Gresham Smith
Vice President of Engineering, JE Dunn Construction
Vice President - Architecture, Gray AES
Design Manager of Mission Critical, Gensler
Director of Architecture - Food & Beverage, Ryan Companies
  • Establishing standardized communication protocols to bridge language and cultural differences, improving alignment and reducing costly on-site corrections
  • Integrating international design and construction practices to harmonize workflows, enabling smoother coordination across global teams
  • Training teams on cross-cultural norms and decision-making styles to foster collaboration and increase efficiency

10:00 am Morning Refreshments & Networking

Kickstart your conference experience with a burst of energy and connection! In this fast-paced session, you’ll connect with peers through quick-fire introductions that spark meaningful conversations that last throughout the conference and beyond

Accelerating Project Success Through Smarter Design

10:40 am Audience Discussion: Establishing Critical Upfront Criteria to Streamline Mega-Project Design & Execution

Director of Architecture, Ware Malcomb
  • Defining all essential design, regulatory, and operational criteria early to reduce ambiguity, ensuring alignment across teams
  • Engaging project members in structured upfront discussions to anticipate constructability challenges, minimizing costly late-stage changes
  • Implementing a clear decision framework for project setup to accelerate approvals and safeguard quality

11:20 am Case Study: Designing Flexible, Technology-Ready Facilities to Adapt Quickly & Maximize Operational Efficiency

Design Manager of Mission Critical, Gensler
  • Incorporating modular layouts and adaptable infrastructure to accommodate changing production needs, enabling rapid reconfiguration without costly downtime
  • Embedding scalable technology systems to support automation and AI integration, improving operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness
  • Planning for multi-use capabilities and future expansion to maintain resilience, ensuring facilities can evolve with market and product demands

12:00 pm Leveraging AI & Advanced Technologies for Data- Driven Decision-Making

Senior Director of Industrial, IMEG
  • Implementing predictive analytics and machine learning tools to identify potential risks early, reducing costly errors and delays
  • Automating repetitive design and construction tasks to improve efficiency, freeing teams to focus on high-value strategic work
  • Integrating real-time data monitoring systems to enhance operational oversight, enabling faster, more informed decisions

Ensuring High-Quality Operations & Project Outcomes

10:40 am Case Study: Integrating Early Hazard Coordination into the Schedule to Meet Safety & Quality Standards, While Preventing Unexpected Approval Delays

Director, Jensen Hughes
  • Engaging early with authorities and fire protection specialists to clarify risk and code requirements, reducing review delays
  • Implementing performance-based hazard strategies to address unique industrial risks, ensuring safe and compliant facilities
  • Coordinating cross-disciplinary teams upfront to anticipate hazards, streamline approvals, and maintain project schedule

11:20 am Implementing ‘Layered’ QA/QC Processes to Catch Issues Early & Protect Project Integrity

Director of Prefabrication, Briggs Electric
  • Establishing multiple checkpoints and inspection protocols to identify defects promptly, reducing costly rework
  • Coordinating teams around early detection and correction
  • Integrating automated and manual quality measures to ensure compliance with specifications

12:00 pm Audience Discussion: Optimizing Operational Handover to Prepare Staff & Streamline Production Processes

  • Planning step-by-step training, system integration, and workflow alignment with the end-user
  • Sharing how we have created digital twins to support operations, maintenance, and automated systems to synchronize processes, improving operational efficiency
  • Applying structured handover protocols to enable immediate production performance, protecting the owner’s investment and maintaining business continuity

12:40 pm Lunch Break

Empowering High-Performing Teams to Deliver Next-Generation Manufacturing Facilities

1:40 pm Developing the Highly Skilled, Technical Workforce to Consistently Deliver Complex Facilities on Time, on Budget, & on Scope

Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives, San Jacinto College
Workforce Development Director - Economic Alliance, Houston Port Region
  • Using targeted recruitment and training programs to attract and retain skilled trades: how can we address this within regions and across manufacturing markets?
  • Creating structured skill development pathways to build mid-level expertise and enhance workforce capability
  • Integrating AI and modern training tools to accelerate workforce onboarding, improving project delivery consistency and long-term workforce resilience

2:20 pm Panel Discussion: Aligning Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities With Ever-Changing Industry Innovation: What Can We Expect in the Next 12 Months & Beyond?

Senior Director of Industrial, IMEG
Director, Jensen Hughes
Director of Architecture, Ware Malcomb
National Director - Project Development, Ryan Companies
  • Integrating emerging technologies into advanced manufacturing projects to streamline workflows and deliver innovative facilities faster
  • Enhancing workforce skills and team processes to improve collaboration and execute complex projects with confidence
  • Anticipating market, regulatory and equipment trends to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving market

3:00 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

3:10 pm End of Conference