Get Financial Support For Your Education

If you know someone pursuing a construction-related degree, encourage them to apply for a Builders Exchange Scholarship!

2026/27 Application
Deadline: Feb. 20 | 4 PM

Rising college costs place a growing financial strain on students and families. Since 1959, the Builders Exchange has helped offset these expenses through its scholarship program. 

High school seniors, individuals pursuing a two- or four-year undergraduate degree, or students enrolled in an Ohio Technical Center certificate program are encouraged to apply for the 2026/27 school year. Applications, along with all required documents, can be submitted online. Applicants will be notified of their award status in May.

Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Academic achievement
• Community and school involvement
• Financial need 
• Relationship of the student’s field of study to the construction industry
• Potential future impact of the student on the central Ohio construction community
• Quality of the application

For more information about BX scholarships, contact Pam Austin.

2025/26 BX Scholarship Recipients.

Meet Our Leadership Program Participants

OSHA Posting Requirements Reminder

Just a reminder that employers subject to OSHA recordkeeping requirements must ensure that copies of their completed 2025 Form 300A Summary are posted in each of their establishments from Feb. 1 through April 30. The form must be displayed in a conspicuous place or places where notices to employees are customarily posted.

Your information must also be entered electronically on the OSHA website by March 2. For more information regarding the posting requirement, visit the OSHA website at www.osha.gov/recordkeeping.

Constructing Connections: A Night at the Rink

Networking gets a fast break this hockey night! Join BX Young Professionals for a pregame happy hour at Hansen Distribution Agency, then head to the arena as Columbus faces Dallas. It’s a high-energy evening designed to spark connections, strengthen relationships and bring the construction community together.

Your registration includes a game ticket, two drink tickets and heavy appetizers at the pregame happy hour.

For more information about this event, contact Kelly Stover.

Jan. BXYP Event: 
Columbus Blue Jackets Game + Happy Hour
Jan. 22 

• Pregame Networking | 5 - 6:30 PM
  Hansen Distribution Agency
  383 N. Front St. (43215)
• Game | Begins at 7 PM
  Nationwide Arena
  200 W. Nationwide Blvd. (43215)

REGISTER NOW

$75 BX Members | $85 Non-Members
When registering online, be sure to log in to receive the member rate.

PLATINUM SPONSOR &
HAPPY HOUR HOST

 

Are You Ready for Bid Day?

Preparing an accurate estimate can be challenging. The BX course Estimating and Bid Preparation can help you master the basics and provide the organizational tools needed to meet today's short deadlines.

Experienced industry estimators share the fundamentals of job cost estimating - from beginning to end - and cover the steps needed to prepare a clear bid quickly and efficiently. Night four of the program  includes an interactive bid-day simulation that puts the course work into action, complete with true-to-life deadline frustrations.

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.

Start the New Year Safely

Don’t miss your opportunity to kick off 2026 with the BX safety community. This member-only meeting will feature in-depth discussions on current safety challenges, regulatory updates and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on sharing real-world solutions and best practices.

In addition to the roundtable conversation, attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, build valuable industry connections and strengthen collaborations that support safer jobsites.

Whether you're a safety manager, site supervisor or industry stakeholder, this is a unique opportunity to learn, contribute and grow within a community committed to continuous safety improvement.

Contact Ashton Chapman with any questions or suggestions for discussion topics.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CONFLICTS ON THE JOBSITE?

Communication skills are vital to your success as a construction professional. They are also potentially the biggest obstacle you will encounter at work. 

In this interactive presentation, M.J. Clark (Integrated Leadership Systems) will provide participants with the tools needed to manage conflict and confrontation. She will share the communication challenges we all face, provide tips for mediation, demonstrate emotional control and outline understanding bias in conflict.

Here’s what BX members have said when asked if they would recommend this program to others in the industry:

• “There’s plenty of conflict in construction & everyone could do a better job of handling confrontation.”
• “I would especially recommend this program to field managers.”
• “These skills are a good reminder to put yourself in another person’s shoes when faced with a conflict.”
• “This program is for people at every level in construction – we can all use this information!”

For more information about this course, contact Deb Murphy.

Register Today for the Ohio Construction Conference

The Ohio Construction Conference will include a straightforward look at the financial market and what current developments may mean for the industry. 

Following lunch, economic expert Tom Jalics, chief market strategist (Fifth Third Bank) returns to the Conference with a no nonsense look at the financial market. Tom’s insight and practical approach will provide attendees with economic trends and forward-looking expectations impacting the construction industry.

For more information about the Conference, contact Deb Murphy.

– 2026 SPONSORS –

PRESENTED BY

EVENT SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

BREAKFAST
SPONSOR

LUNCH
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RECEPTION
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WELCOME
SPONSOR

NETWORKING
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PARKING
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MOBILE APP
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Wanted! Outstanding Tradespeople for Craftsmanship Awards

A craftsperson is someone who takes their trade a notch above average, with evidence of their skill and expertise visible in the work they perform. Recognize the talent of your tradespeople by nominating them for a 2026 BX Craftsmanship Award!

CRAFTSMANSHIP NOMINATION FORM
Deadline: Friday, April 17 | 4 PM

Since 1964, the Builders Exchange has honored individuals and crews for exceptional craftsmanship on projects across central Ohio. Eligible applicants will participate in site visits in May, followed by interviews and work evaluations conducted by a team of BX judges. Final award recipients will be announced in June.

Both the nomination form and project photos can be submitted online. The final awards will be presented by size category, so that projects both large and small may be recognized.

For more information on the awards or nomination process, contact Pam Austin.

Craftsmanship Award Eligibility Requirements:

1.  The BX Craftsmanship Award recognizes an individual or the crew for his/her work. The nomination types are defined as:
   • Individual Award - a craftsman who actually performed with his/her hands-on the particular piece of work nominated. Nominations will not be accepted for general superintendents, project superintendents, or general foremen who did not play a hands-on role in the work. 
   • Crew Award - nominees who are being considered for a crew award must be the craftspeople who actually performed with his/her hands-on the particular piece of work nominated, including the direct supervision of such work. A crew cannot exceed five (5) individuals. 
2. Nominations must be for work in commercial, institutional or industrial projects. Residential work will not be accepted. Work must have been completed within the past year (January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026.) Previously nominated work cannot be resubmitted and will be considered ineligible.
3. A team of judges must be allowed onsite to view all portions of the nominated work. If access to the nominated work is restricted or limited for viewing by the judges, the nomination will be ineligible for consideration. 
4. The owner of the nominated work must agree to have their name/location recognized in BX publications and the awards show video. The nominated work must be able to be photographed for public viewing or the nomination will be ineligible for consideration.
5. The nominated work must be from a project in the central Ohio area (Franklin County or one of its six adjoining counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union.)
6. If chosen as a winner, the individual or crew must agree to be photographed and interviewed or they will be ineligible for consideration.
7. Providing digital photos with the nomination is mandatory. A minimum of four (4) and a maximum of 10 images are required. 

Meet Our Leadership Program Participants

Are You Looking For Employees?

Need to hire an estimator, someone to work in the warehouse or maybe a project manager? Post your job opening on the BX Job Board before March 31 and receive two additional weeks free!

Positions online during December were viewed more than 7,900 times. Was your open position there? 
Why Not?

There are two easy options to submit your open positions:

• Complete the online form at www.bxjobs.com
• Email your position description to selkins@bx.org

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Sanda Elkins.

BX Job Board Rates:

• 2-week posting:    $110 BX members; $210 non-members
• 4-week posting:    $135 BX members; $235 non-members
• 6-week posting:    $160 BX members; $260 non-members 

Blueprint Reading Made Practical

A set of drawings holds a project together, acting as a starting point for the unique language at each jobsite. Make sure your employees are speaking the same language by enrolling them in the upcoming Construction Drawings 101 course.

Industry veterans will share their knowledge through lecture and interactive work, providing attendees the basic skills needed to read and understand commercial blueprints. 

This course is ideal for office personnel, field employees, new hires or anyone who is looking to learn and refine their blueprint reading skills. Upon completion, participants will:

• Have a basic knowledge of reading plans and specifications
• Understand general terms in the design process 
• Know where to find information in a set of plans 
• Further understand how trades work together 

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.

DFSP Has a New Name…

Welcome to SUPR (Substance Use Prevention and Recovery)

Support your Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) program by educating staff and supervisors about the effects of drugs and alcohol on your work, safety and health.

SUPR was developed to address workplace use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs. It’s designed to help employers more effectively prevent on-the-job injuries and illnesses by integrating drug-free efforts into their overall workplace safety program. The SUPR can help employers achieve both long-range safety and cost-saving benefits. 

For more information about BX SUPR training or to schedule a company-specific class, contact Sean Cooper.

Is AI Changing How We Manage Construction Risk?

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword; it’s becoming part of everyday project conversations. Join the BX Law & Finance Group for an interactive session examining how AI tools are being used to analyze construction contracts and assess risks.

Gain practical insight into how these emerging technologies can enhance – rather than replace – sound contract and project decision making. Featuring a short live demonstration, this program will showcase AI’s capabilities, limitations and implications for legal and financial professionals. 

For more information about this presentation or the BX Law & Finance Group, contact Kelly Stover.

Enhance Your Surveying Skills with Hands-On Training

Accurate surveying is essential in construction, ensuring that projects start on the right foot and stay on track. The BX Surveying for Construction course provides an interactive learning experience designed to sharpen skills, improve accuracy and prevent costly errors during the building layout phase.

Participants will have the opportunity to work directly with surveying equipment and layout tools, reinforcing key techniques used in the field.

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.