KEYNOTE presentations

Be prepared to learn, connect, and be inspired by our dynamic Keynotes and Special Sessions!
Please note: All education sessions—excluding workshops—are included with your registration. No additional sign-up is required. Simply arrive at your chosen session at the scheduled time and location. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

TUESDAY, 10/21

us-army-logo-black-and-white

Continuing to Always Move Forward: Lessons in Resilience and Leadership

Presented by Clinton “Clint” Romesha
What does it mean to move forward when every instinct says to retreat? In this powerful keynote, Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha shares what it takes to lead under extreme pressure and rise through adversity.

Drawing on his firsthand account of the harrowing 14-hour Battle of Kamdesh—one of the deadliest engagements of the Afghan War— to his post-military journey, SSG Romesha embodies what it means to persevere under pressure and lead with purpose.

Drawing on themes from his acclaimed book Red Platoon and his portrayal in the Netflix series Medal of Honor, Clint will challenge attendees to reflect on how they face adversity in their own lives and careers. Through Romesha’s actions—risking everything to protect others, leading from the front even while wounded, and rebuilding purpose after the battlefield—we gain deep insight into how courage, humility, and determination fuel forward motion, even in the darkest moments. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating personal trials, or mentoring the next generation, Clint will inspire you to continue moving forward—with integrity, focus, and the strength drawn from within.

Learning Objectives:
Define the principles of true resilience and purposeful leadership. Apply lessons from high-pressure decision-making to business and life. Explore mentorship as a tool for legacy and growth. Reflect on how to remain mission-focused during moments of adversity.

Learn more ⟶

WEDNESDAY, 10/22

109c9d21-f7d0-4d49-9bd5-761e9a1f92d5

Economic and Labor Market Update – What to Expect in 2025 and Beyond

Presented by Alex Chausovsky
The US macro economy finished 2024 on a strong note, with the consumer acting as the main growth driver. However, the industrial (B2B) sector faced substantial headwinds as aggressive interest rate policy decisions by the Fed mostly stamped out inflation but also raised borrowing costs and stifled capital investment. Now that the rate cutting cycle has begun, the Fed is looking to strike a balance between keeping a lid on inflation while preventing the economy and the job market from deteriorating. Leading indicators point to an improvement in the US economy in 2025, but President Trump’s agenda, particularly his tax cut, immigration, and tariff policies, are bound to have a substantial impact. What does all this mean for the economy and for your business?

This presentation will deliver practical and actionable advice designed to help business leaders plan for future economic conditions and continuously improve their organization’s strategic planning initiatives.

Learning Objectives: Understand the time-sensitive economic events of concern such as inflation, interest rates, tariffs, immigration, labor market conditions, consumer spending, business investment, and industrial activity. Learn about tools that company leadership can use to become better data-driven decision makers in running their businesses. Discover how the present job market and immigration will affect current and future building projects. Get concrete advice on how to navigate the current macroeconomic climate and plan for the future. Learn how current economic events will affect the future of the design and building world.

Brought to you by 
Learn more ⟶

MORNING KICK-OFFS

TUESDAY, 10/21

1ad75ce2-d1b7-4be3-bda0-3d74ae98c046

Design and Development: A Technical and Personal Walk-Through of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial

Presented by Brian Zamora
Join Senior Project Designer and Project Architect Brian Zamora for an in-depth look at the design and development of two of Frank Gehry’s most unique and technically complex projects. The session begins with a deep dive into the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, a 60,000-square-foot outpatient medical facility with an unprecedented program that merges medical care and fundraising under one roof. Zamora will discuss how this unusual combination of functions shaped the building’s striking and unconventional design. He’ll also share insights into the use of 3D modeling and Building Information Modeling (BIM) throughout the design and construction process, including a look at the building’s distinctive mild-steel shell rib structure. Next, Zamora will explore the creation of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C. After winning the national design competition, Gehry’s team was challenged with developing an innovative “tapestry” unlike anything previously built. Learn how the team conceived and executed a groundbreaking stainless steel wire cable structure—spanning 600 feet in length and standing 80 feet tall—that provides both powerful imagery and memorial context honoring President Eisenhower.

Learning Objectives: Gain insights into the design and problem-solving approaches used by Gehry’s team in executing one-of-a-kind architectural projects. Understand the innovative design and fabrication process behind the Eisenhower Memorial’s stainless steel “Tapestry,” including its structural and symbolic functions. Explore the application of 3D modeling and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the design and construction of complex structures, including the use of mild-steel shell rib frameworks. Analyze the architectural and programmatic challenges involved in designing the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, including the integration of medical care and fundraising functions.
Learn more ⟶

WEDNESDAY, 10/21

minarc-logo-1-1

Breaking the Cycle of Wildfire Destruction: The Urgent Need for Fire-Resilient Construction Presented by California Architects

Presented by Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir & Tryggvi Thorsteinsson

As wildfires become an ever-growing threat, the construction industry must confront its role in perpetuating destruction. In this session join the principals of Minarc as they highlight the critical gap between current building practices and the fire resilience needed to withstand these catastrophic events. Tryggvi and Erla will shift the spotlight from defensible space to the materials that make or break a home’s resilience to wildfire.

Why are high-rises held to strict fire codes, while single-family homes in fire-prone areas often aren’t? It’s time for a mindset shift. Join these two industry leaders as they address the critical role of fire-resistant materials, the need for stronger building codes, and the design choices that could mean the difference between devastation and durability.

Let’s build for a safer community one home at a time.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the need for a shift in traditional residential construction processes and identify key areas where changes can be implemented to improve fire resilience and overall durability.

Identify opportunities for collaboration among builders, developers, architects, designers, and product manufacturers. Examine the impact of current building codes and regulations on fire and disaster resilience and explore strategies for advocating stricter standards.

Gain practical insights into resilient design strategies that enhance a home's ability to withstand natural disasters, extreme weather, and environmental challenges.

Learn more ⟶

SPECIAL SESSIONS

State of the Industry

State of the Industry, presented by the MCA
Tuesday, October 21 at 1:30 PM at the METALCON Theater

After a year of significant change—shaped by evolving market dynamics, updated building codes, and growing interest in resilient, sustainable solutions—leaders from the Metal Construction Association invite you to explore what’s ahead for the industry. This enlightening discussion will unpack the most critical challenges, technical advances, market trends, and regulatory changes—and what they mean for the future of building and design. As demand for resilient, sustainable construction grows, discover why metal continues to lead the way in performance, durability, and innovation. Now in its 42nd year, the Metal Construction Association brings together top manufacturers, equipment providers, accessory suppliers, and contractors committed to advancing the future of metal in construction.

Presented by 

Stay up to date

Fill out the form below to be added to our mailing list!

Receive emails updates and latest industry news