AGENDA

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Davenport Hotel, Cedar Ballroom

7:00 am - 8:00 am

8:00 am - 8:30 am

8:30 am - 10:00 am

Presented by: Paul Long

Session Overview:
What if everyone in your organization could manifest true fulfillment while creating more opportunities of success personally and professionally? Organizations around the globe are challenged right now in their quest to attract and retain great talent. As our work environment, workforce and traditional market strategies are evolving, one thing remains consistent, an overwhelming human desire to feel fulfilled. In The FUNdamentals of Meaningful Leadership, Transformative Speaker on Employee Engagement & Fulfillment Paul Long leverages his concept of FUNDAMISM to deliver a more deliberate approach in the creation of professional and personal fulfillment. With these strategies, leaders and their teams will consistently find a way to manifest the experience and goals they desire.

Learning Objectives:
- Apply specific relationship-building skills, such as active listening, empathy, and effective communication, to strengthen workplace connections and improve team dynamics.
- Develop strategies to create a work environment that promotes trust, mutual respect, and positive interactions, leading to increased job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
- Implement the principles of Fundamism to foster a workplace culture that prioritizes employee engagement, meaningful connections, and personal fulfillment.

Level: Basic
1.5 CPE Credits in Personal Development

10:00 am - 10:15 am

10:15 am - 11:05 am

Presented by: Diane Kocer & Sarah Patterson, AGC Washington

Session Overview:
Washington State is shifting how students prepare for life after high school, over 50% now graduate through the Career & Technical Education (CTE) graduation pathway. At the center of this shift is Core Plus Construction (CPC), the state’s gold standard CTE program for the built environment.

But this isn’t your typical shop class. CPC is a career awareness and preparation program that builds a direct pipeline into the construction industry—not just for the trades, but for the critical “missing middle” roles that keep your jobs moving and your numbers on track. We’re talking about foremen, estimators, field engineers, safety managers, project accountants, and superintendents—the high-value, hard-to-fill positions that require more than a high school diploma but are rarely, if ever, introduced to high school students.

When these roles sit vacant, you feel it in the budget: blown schedules, ballooning labor costs, and expensive backfills. CPC helps close that gap early by giving students direct exposure to construction careers, aligning classroom training with industry expectations, and reducing your future onboarding and training costs. In this session, we’ll show how CPC is already solving real workforce problems, how it supports your company’s long-term financial health, and how the investments you’ve helped make in Core Plus Construction are paying off in the field.

Learning Objectives:

Level: Basic
1.0 CPE Credits in Personnel/Human Resources

11:10 am - 12:00 pm

Presented by: Stephanie Curran, Spokane Public Facilities District & Ashley Blake, Spokane Sports

Session Overview:
Sports tourism and recreation projects are transforming communities across the Pacific Northwest, and Spokane is leading the way. This session will explore how strategic investments in sports facilities—such as The Podium and other Riverfront Park developments—are fostering economic growth, attracting regional and national events, and creating opportunities for the construction industry. Representatives from the Spokane Public Facilities District and Spokane Sports will share insights on how public-private partnerships (P3s) drive these large-scale projects, the financial and operational frameworks behind them, and the long-term community benefits.

Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Role of Sports in Economic Development - Learn how sports tourism and event-driven facilities stimulate regional economies, create jobs, and support local businesses.
- Explore the Mechanics of Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) Gain an understanding of how P3 structures work, including funding models, risk allocation, and stakeholder engagement in the construction of major community assets.
- Identify Opportunities for the Construction and Finance Community Discover how firms in the construction and financial sectors can position themselves to participate in and benefit from projects similar to The Podium.

Level: Basic
1.0 CPE Credits in TBA

12:00 pm - 12:55 PM

12:55 pm - 2:30 pm

Presented by: Aaron Faulk, Baker Tilly & Christian Geismann, MacDonald-Miller

Session Overview:
Cash is king when it comes to construction, but for trade contractors, it's the entire kingdom. This session will offer an in-depth discussion with a construction-focused CPA and CFO of a trade contractor, about the key methods and techniques to maximize cash specifically for trade contractors, including real-life examples of accelerated collections, bank line management, and how to manage external influences

Learning Objectives:
- Understand importance of cash management for trade contractors
- Identify challenges and strategies to overcome them
- Share techniques and best practices to increase cash flow and profitability

Level: Intermediate
1.5 CPE Credits in TBA

2:30 pm - 2:45 pm

2:45 pm - 3:35 pm

Presented by: Jay Schembs, Morgan Stanley

Session Overview:

For many construction business owners, planning for succession or exit is one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of long-term strategy. Without a clear plan, owners risk limiting their options or leaving value on the table when the time comes to transition. This session, led by Jay—a former investment banker and current wealth advisor who works exclusively with founder- and family-owned businesses—will provide a comprehensive overview of the exit landscape for today’s construction companies.

Attendees will explore a full range of transition paths, including family succession, internal management or non-family transition, external third-party sales, private equity investment, and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Jay will also highlight current trends influencing valuations and deal structures in the construction market. The session will emphasize proactive steps owners can take now to keep multiple options open, maximize business value, and align outcomes with both personal and family objectives. By combining financial expertise with real-world advisory experience, Jay will equip business owners and their advisors with practical tools to better prepare for future liquidity events and transitions.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Evaluate Exit Options: Understand the advantages, challenges, and market trends associated with family succession, internal non-family transfers, external sales, private equity partnerships, and ESOP structures.

2. Prepare Strategically for Transition: Identify key financial, operational, and cultural steps business owners should take now to preserve flexibility and maximize value in a future transition.

3. Align Outcomes with Owner Goals: Develop an informed framework to connect business transition strategies with personal, family, and legacy objectives, ensuring a smoother process when the time comes to exit.

Level: Intermediate
1.0 CPE Credits in TBA

3:40 pm - 5:30 pm

Moderator: John Wied, Walsh Construction
Presented by: Joe Gamon, Merit Electric, Marc Victor, RAFN, & Hank Vincent, RM Mechanical

Session Overview:
Join us for an engaging and interactive session that blends the insights of seasoned construction industry CFOs with the collaborative energy of peer-to-peer discussion. Moderated by John Wied of Walsh Construction, the panel will explore key issues shaping finance and accounting leadership in today’s construction environment, including strategies for building resilient teams, managing risk in uncertain markets, leveraging technology for operational efficiency, and fostering a strong company culture to support sustainable growth. Following the panel, attendees will participate in facilitated roundtable breakouts to dive deeper into the topics covered, share best practices, and discuss real-world challenges and solutions with fellow industry professionals.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify effective leadership and team development strategies that drive performance, engagement, and retention in construction finance teams.
2. Evaluate emerging risks and opportunities related to technology, growth, and market conditions, and consider practical approaches for managing them.
3. Apply peer-shared best practices from roundtable discussions to enhance culture, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making within their own organizations.

Level: Intermediate
1.0 CPE Credits in TBA

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The Roof Garden Terrace

10 S Post Street, Spokane WA 99201