The first annual CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FORUM will occur during the 2025 ACCE Midyear Conference at the OMNI Las Colinas Resort & Hotel on Thursday, February 20, 2025. This full day of informative sessions will include several keynote speakers. The topics will focus on the Construction Industry and innovation. Much of the discussion will revolve around technology and the integration of significant advancements in AI, robotics, and more. There will also be sessions on “People & Culture,” Advanced Learning, Construction Workforce Development, Professional Development, Internships, and Leveraging your IAB.
Keynote addresses will be given by:
KP Reddy, Founder and CEO of Shadow Ventures.
KP is the Founder and CEO of Atlanta-based, Shadow Ventures and a prominent figure in the world of construction technology and innovation. With a background in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, KP has become a global authority in AEC environments, AI, robotics, automation, mobile applications, and cloud computing. He is the author of the definitive guide to Building Information Modeling, “BIM for Building Owners and Developers,” as well as other influential books. KP is a personal advisor to the CEOs of a number of the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the country. A few major events where KP has appeared on stage are Autodesk University, SXSW, TechCrunch Disrupt, NYC Building Congress, Foreign Direct Investment World Forum, BuiltWorlds, Blueprint, and CREtech.
Ricardo Kahn, BArch and Director of MEGA Projects at VIATechnik.
Rick, is an inspiring individual on a mission to improve the lives of frontline workers in the AEC industry. With the belief in “working safer, and smarter, not harder” and a “people first” philosophy, Rick has dedicated the past three decades to guiding people through innovation, particularly within the construction industry. As an internationally recognized innovation and technology thought leader in the AEC field. Rick is also a dynamic keynote speaker. He leads with passion, integrity, and trust, always keeping safety at the forefront. Rick’s journey began in the trades, where he worked alongside his father as a pipefitter foreman. It was during this time that he developed a mindset focused on working smarter and safer, sparking his lifelong passion for innovation.
Additional Sessions Include:
Technology – Industry Expectations from Education
Sheeba Ramaji, Principal of HomeBuilding Methods Education MiTek
Panelist include:
- Alex Belkofer – Senior Director VDC, McCarthy
- Eric Whobrey – VP, Innovation at ARCO & Managing Partner at ARCO Ventures
- Bobby Thomson – Director of Operations, Beazer Homs
- Jeong Woo – Department Head and Professor, Cal Poly
Join us for an insightful session on how technology is being implemented across organizations and what this means for the future workforce. Explore how advancements like AI, automation, and data-driven tools are transforming operations and reshaping skill requirements. Our expert speakers will provide a road map for the evolving job market, highlighting the key competencies and technical proficiencies needed to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.
CWE and PDC Industry Topics – Industry Drivers and Organization
Heather Sherwood, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Western States College of Construction
Hear how ACCE is leading the way in supporting and standardizing quality assurance of workforce development and training programs. ACCE’s Construction Workforce Education Accreditation Program (CWE), and professional development certification, provides a pathway for industry-driven programs to establish standards and obtain accreditation. The industry benefits from a raised awareness of career opportunities and participants benefit from industry involvement, structured On-the-Job Learning, and earning a credential verified by the leader in construction education excellence, ACCE.
ACCE’s Teaching Learning Practioner Program
Dr. Tony Lamanna, The Penta Building Group Professor
Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University
The Teaching & Learning Practitioner Certification Workshops (TLP) held at ACCE meetings are well-attended and beneficial to programs for the development of both regular and adjunct faculty. An idea came about to make the Workshops more widely available and more convenient with a portable, on-location program, that is available to programs or affiliated program support groups. Learn more about how TLP can assist with faculty development through the benefits and flexibility now available.
Best Practices Internships
Shelley Smith, Director Department of Construction Science
Texas A&M University
Kimberley Williams, PhD
Louisiana State University
Construction Internship Programs offer students a unique opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in the dynamic field of construction. Participants in this session will have the chance to learn how LSU and Texas A&M manage their internship programs. Attendees will also be presented with information from companies that have structured internship programs and how their interns work alongside industry professionals, engage in real-world projects, and develop essential skills that bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application.
Leveraging your Industry Advisory Board and Alumni Chapter
Discussion Leader:
Melanie Myers, Project Manager- Facilities, Planning and Development
Michigan Medicine
Discover how Eastern Michigan University is leveraging support from their IAB and CM Alumni Chapter to help with teaching, mentoring, job shadowing, internships, scholarships, and more. EMU CM Alumni Chapter President and ACCE Board Member, Melanie Myers, and faculty will discuss their strong partnership and how your school and industry can do the same.
2025 Industry Forum Sponsors include:
Founded in 1974, ACCE has been in partnership with Academia and Industry for the sole purpose of promoting, supporting, and accrediting/certifying quality construction education programs. ACCE is accredited by CHEA.
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