Day Two - Thursday, September 25

Download the Full Event Guide to see the expert speakers, a full in-depth 2-day agenda, the hours of networking opportunities, and how you can get involved in the discussion - all in one document!

7:00 am Check-In & Networking

8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Driving Efficiency Across Teams

8:10 am Panel Discussion: Evolving the Roles & Responsibilities of MEP Managers Across a Project Lifecycle to Meet Client Expectations

Synopsis

  • Discussing the benefits of dedicated MEP specialists for project outcomes
  • Supporting with Project Managers and Superintendents to ensure MEP requirements are a priority
  • Creating a transparent culture and lines of communication with the project team to ensure you remain in the loop as projects progress to support technical decision making

8:50 am Audience Discussion: Applying AI to Automate Manual Tasks & Drive Efficiency into the Role

Synopsis

  • Discussing the potential applications of AI to streamline MEP coordination
  • Benchmarking how AI tools have been deployed on real projects: What worked, what didn’t, and what outcomes were achieved?
  • Exploring the organizational changes and workflow integrations needed to embed AI tools without losing accountability

10:00 am Morning Refreshments & Networking

10:30 am Panel Discussion: Evolving Our Department People Structures to Enhance Career Growth for MEP Managers

  • Jason Wibel Electrical Preconstruction Director, Skanska
  • Matt Haney Director of MEP Services, Batson-Cook Construction
  • Justin Hunt Director - Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineering, Burgess & Niple Inc.

Synopsis

  • Involving field personnel earlier in our processes to help develop staff early and demonstrate the promise of a career in MEP Management
  • Building out a clear career path for future talent to help inspire and demonstrate the value add of an MEP role
  • Confronting the retention issue: How else can we build value early for aspiring talent to help guide a career in MEP over traditional construction?

Field Delivery & Execution

11:10 am Audience Discussion: Developing a Practical Roadmap to Enhance the Capacity & Capability of Field Teams Cost Effectively

Synopsis

  • Examining how leaders are upskilling field and office staff in technical areas, balancing training requirements with field efficiency, to empower the end user
  • Reviewing the different ways of structuring training, from mentorship to internal playbooks, and the most effective structures for different skillsets
  • Ensuring the continuous upskilling of field personnel to keep them up to date with evolving technologies and technical requirements of MEP systems

11:50 am Case Study: Strengthening Field Quality Control to Catch Install Issues Before They Impact Turnover

Synopsis

  • Expediting the way we identify trade installation defects, including common misses like seismic restraints and vibration isolation
  • Using BIM-linked QC tracking to verify systems meet owner and code requirements before commissioning
  • Ensuring inconsistent MEP system knowledge among general contractors doesn’t lead to missed specs: How have we closed that gap?

12:30 pm Networking Lunch

Completion & Turnover Planning

1:30 pm Investing in Commissioning to Avoid Costly Fixes and Performance Failures

  • Brandt Elledge Commissioning Executive, McCownGordon Construction LLC

Synopsis

  • Learn how overlooked gaps in installation and system operation can lead to costly rework, warranty disputes and occupant complaints
  • Discover how upfront commissioning costs prevent losses and performance failures in post occupancy
  • Practical insights to secure complete system validation and long term performance that delivers reliable results from day one

2:10 pm Streamlining Commissioning from Preconstruction to Close Out to Prevent Scope Gaps & Avoid Late-Stage Delays

  • James DeGuire MEP Manager, The Boldt Company
  • Jeff Boyer Commissioning & Sustainability Manager - Midwest, Farnsworth Group

Synopsis

  • Unpacking common commissioning breakdowns – from unclear sequences of operation, to missing scopes and delayed controls integration
  • Exploring how forward-planning for test readiness, documentation, and system ownership improves commissioning outcomes
  • Hearing how teams are using pull planning to align stakeholders before startup and eliminate last-minute surprises

2:50 pm Panel Discussion: Capturing Post-Occupancy Data at Handover to Support Facilities Management & Owner Expectations

  • Jeff Nichols President, Engineering Economics, Inc.
  • Jeff Boyer Commissioning & Sustainability Manager - Midwest, Farnsworth Group

Synopsis

  • Discussing the most effective ways that contractors are supporting clients with post-occupancy
  • Exploring the impact of missed FM deliverables on owner relationships, warranty calls, and ongoing building performance
  • Hearing what it takes to set expectations early and build a handover process that’s seamless, not scrappy

3:30 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

3:40 pm End of Conference