2026 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FORUM PROGRAM

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Session 1: 8:15 - 9:45 am

Blueprints to Bots: Practical Applications of Robotics in Construction & Live Demonstrations

As the construction industry grapples with labor shortages and safety challenges, robotics are transitioning from futuristic concepts to daily jobsite realities. But how does a construction firm successfully integrate these robots? And what skills should Construction Management programs focus on preparing the next generation of professionals who will use these robots on the jobsites?

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This session features leaders from Raise Robotics (high-precision installation) and Dusty Robotics (automated layout) to go beyond theory, offering a candid discussion on the ROI of automation, overcoming field adoption hurdles, and bridging the skills gap between academia and industry.

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8:45-9:45 am Robotics Demonstration and Discussion

Moderator

Manideep Tummalapudi, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Construction Management
California State University, Fresno

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Panelists

Conley Reese – Co-Founder, Raise Robotics

Annie Woo – Vice President, Customer Success, Dusty Robotics

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9:45 -10:00 am Break

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Session 2: 10:00 – 11:00 am

AI in AEC: How GC's, Trades, and Tech Partners are Actually Using AI

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword, it is actively reshaping how we design, build, and manage risk. This session is a candid, no-slides discussion with the leaders shaping the AI landscape. We bring together tech partners, GCs, and trades to answer hard questions:

• Where is AI actually delivering ROI today (vs. 5 years from now)?

• How do we manage the legal risks of "hallucinating" AI?

• Is the workforce ready, and how do trade partners fit into this equation?

Moderator

Manideep Tummalapudi, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Construction Management

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Panelists

Josh Lobel – Business Development, [MT1] Autodesk

Adam Hadfinger – Co-Founder, Document Crunch

Darshit Jasani – Director of AI, ARCO Construction

Joey Shorter - AECA

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Session 3: 11:00 - 12:00 am

Industry Perspectives on Essential AI Competencies for CM Graduates

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform construction and infrastructure delivery, industry demand for graduates with practical AI skills has never been greater. Public agencies, owners, and contractors are rapidly adopting AI-enabled tools—from predictive analytics and digital twins to automated inspections and machine-learning–driven project controls—yet many emerging professionals enter the workforce without the foundational competencies needed to engage with these technologies.

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This panel brings together leaders from industry, public-sector organizations, and academia to discuss the AI knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that construction graduates must possess to be workforce ready.

 

Panelists will share employer expectations for entry-level professionals, emerging digital competency requirements, and the growing importance of data literacy, ethical AI use, and analytical decision-making in modern project environments.

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The session will also explore how academic programs can adapt their curricula to better align with industry needs, including integrating AI concepts into Construction Management courses, strengthening experiential learning opportunities, and developing micro-credentials and targeted training that support workforce development.

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Participants will walk away with practical insights, actionable recommendations, and a potential framework for strengthening collaboration between universities, industry partners, and public owners to prepare the next generation of construction professionals for an AI-enabled future.

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Moderator

Elhami Nasr, Professor, Construction Engineering Management
California State University, Long Beach

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Panelists

Kirk Bingenheimer, Lecturer, College of Architecture, Art and Construction, Clemson University

Bobby Vance, Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech School of Architecture

Eveart Foster, Integrations, Subject Matter Expert, Autodesk

Srikanth Bangaru – Co-Founder and Director, Inncircles Technologies

Arup Bhattacharya, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University

 

Lunch Keynote Speaker: 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Dr. Pat Suermann: Construction Beyond Earth

Keynote Description
Construction is no longer confined to Earth. With the rapid growth of space exploration and long-duration missions, the question of how to build in space has become a frontier for innovation. Dr. Pat Suermann will share cutting-edge research and practical applications that connect terrestrial construction methods to extraterrestrial environments. His keynote will examine the challenges of designing, fabricating, and assembling structures in low-gravity and extreme conditions—and how these advancements feed back into solving complex construction challenges here on Earth.

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Speaker Bio
Dr. Patrick Suermann is the Dean of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University and a nationally recognized leader in construction research, innovation, and education. His expertise spans construction management, digital design, and the future of the built environment, and his career bridges academia, military service, and industry. A retired U.S. Air Force officer, Dr. Suermann has contributed to pioneering initiatives in construction automation and has worked with NASA and federal agencies on strategies for building in space. His work continues to inspire the integration of advanced technologies into construction practice and education worldwide.

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ACCE/IPC News Segments

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Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Susan Labas Program for Future Leaders in Construction:

Building Pathways for Success

The future of construction relies on cultivating strong, diverse, and visionary leaders. This session will focus on strategies to prepare the next generation of construction professionals for impactful careers. Panelists will share perspectives on mentorship, workforce development, diversity and inclusion, and how collaborative efforts between academia and industry create meaningful pathways for students and early-career professionals. The discussion will highlight best practices, challenges, and success stories that shape the leadership pipeline.

 

Keynote Speaker

Andrea Janzen (tentative)

Panelists

Northern Arizona University –

Dawn Rogers, Executive Director, Arizona Masonry Council + Student

University of Texas San Antonio –

1. Mary P. Stewart, P.E., CFM, LEED Green Assoc. Regional Practice Leader, Senior Associate, KCI TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2. Lauren Mandel, President, San Antonio AGC

3. Michelle Davis, President, ABC South Texas

 

Session 5: 2:15 – 3:30 pm

Strengthening Industry Advisory Boards (IABs): Strategies and Success Stories

Effective Industry Advisory Boards are essential for aligning academic programs with industry needs. This session explores strategies for establishing and growing impactful IABs, with case studies from programs at varying stages of development.

Panelists

University of Houston -

Dwight Beadle, Professor of Practice - Construction Management

John Glaze - Fast Track Specialties, LP & ACCE Lifetime Member

University of Florida

Robert Cox, Director and Professor - ME Rinker School of Construction Management

Nick Salce – Keiwit

Michigan State University

Bob Aydukovic, Program Director - Construction Management

Ed Wygnal, Project Manager - Von Maur

Kent State University 

Suat Gunham, PhD., Program Director, Construction Management

Rob Elias, Vice President – Holder Construction

Washington State University

Jaseon Peschel, Program Director, School of Design and Construction

Marjorie Chang, Director of Business Development, Hoffman Construction Company

 

3:15 – 3:30 pm - Break

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Session 6: 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Specialty Track in Pre-Construction: Shaping the Next Generation of CM

Pre-construction has evolved into a specialized service area that differentiates firms in a competitive market. This session examines how academic programs can build a curriculum track that emphasizes pre-construction expertise, preparing graduates to meet growing industry demand for early-phase planning and cost management. 

Panelists

Mark Mistur – Dean, Kent State University, College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Tom Park – Vice President, Skanska

Chris Morton – American Society of Professional Estimators

Rob Elias, Vice President – Holder Construction

Tanya Tamarkin – Executive Director, National Architectural Accrediting Board