Meet Our Leadership Program Participants

Conference Features Education and Connections

Building Connections: Networking Breakouts

Ohio Construction Conference attendees consistently value chances to network and form strong connections within their field. 

Again this year, the Conference will feature breakout sessions that fulfill this request. Participants will sit at roundtables to discuss current trends in the construction industry. Facilitators will have prompts to help get conversations started and then it’s your chance to share, learn more and add new names to your contact list.

Seating in these breakout sessions is limited so be sure to register soon!

The Conference includes a variety of general and breakout sessions that will appeal to your company leadership, safety, human resources and project management teams, including:

• Building Value from the Inside Out: ESOPs in Construction
• The Smartest Tool in the Box: Artificial Intelligence in Action
• Cleared for Takeoff: How Drones are Taking Construction to New Heights 

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
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NETWORKING
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PARKING
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MOBILE APP
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Seeking Applicants for BX Scholarships

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

Someone you know may be eligible to receive a scholarship from the BX, but they must apply by Friday, Feb. 20 to be considered for an award.

Last year, 58 students shared a total of $190,000, with individual awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. 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.

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

Don't let your student miss out! For more information about BX scholarships, contact Pam Austin.

2025/26 BX Scholarship Recipients.

Are Your Estimating Skills Up to the Test?

Are you new to estimating or want a refresher on preparing bids? The BX Estimating and Bid Preparation course will help you master the basics and provide organizational tools to meet today’s short deadlines, reduced margins for error and ongoing competition.

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. 

The final session 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.

Collaborate & Connect with the Industry’s Safety Community

Connect with your safety peers over breakfast and take part in an informal roundtable focused on emerging trends, challenges and best practices. This quarterly meeting offers a great opportunity to learn, share and network with local safety professionals.

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

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 program can help employers achieve both long-range safety and cost-saving benefits.

The Builders Exchange is an approved host of the BWC’s SUPR training. Both the employee and supervisor classes meet the one-hour training component.

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

Your IT Department Should Be a Front-End Decision Maker - Not Just Support

Too often, IT gets brought into projects only after major decisions are made — limiting the ability to guide the right technology choices and set teams up for success.

The BX Tech Group’s March conversation will dive into IT’s evolving role as a true business partner, and how stronger collaboration between technical and non-technical teams drives better outcomes across the organization.

Join the conversation to explore how early IT engagement can:

• Ensure the right technology is selected for the job
• Prevent costly shadow IT from emerging in isolation
• Enable smarter, smoother project launches from day one

This conversation will dive into IT’s evolving role as a true business partner — and how stronger collaboration between technical and non-technical teams drives better outcomes across the organization.

Business leaders, project managers and IT professionals interested in building more strategic partnerships across departments should attend this program. Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink how your IT and business can win together.

For more information about the BX Tech Group, contact Kelly Stover or Deb Murphy.

Conference Feature: The Road to LEED and WELL Certification

Where Sustainability Meets Wellness – The Road to LEED and WELL Certification 

Explore the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from integrating LEEDv4 and WELLv2 certifications in the design and construction of Jane E. Heminger Hall at The Ohio State University.

In this conference session, the project team will share how they collaborated to balance certification requirements with institutional goals while creating a health-promoting, sustainable space. Attendees will discover the innovative design elements that were implemented, how they contributed to achieving dual certifications, and leave with practical approaches to pursuing LEED and WELL certifications while creating spaces that advance health, sustainability and well-being.

The Ohio Construction Conference includes a variety of general and breakout sessions that will appeal to your company leadership, safety, human resources and project management teams.

For more information about the Conference or magazine advertising, contact Deb Murphy.

– 2026 SPONSORS –

PRESENTED BY

EVENT SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

BREAKFAST
SPONSOR

LUNCH
SPONSOR

RECEPTION
SPONSOR

WELCOME
SPONSOR

NETWORKING
SPONSOR

PARKING
SPONSOR

MOBILE APP
SPONSOR

Women in Construction Week – Awards & Celebration

Women in Construction Week, March 2-6, celebrates the contributions of women in the built environment. This year, Ascension Construction Solutions proudly presents its inaugural Women in Construction Week Allyship & Networking Celebration on Wednesday, March 4. 

This event brings together women professionals and allies from across all levels of construction, design and engineering to celebrate achievements, foster connection and inspire the next generation of leaders. 

Nominate a woman in our industry for one of four awards to be presented at the event! The four categories available: 

• Rising Star
• Excellence in Craft and Field Leadership
• Innovator and Problem-Solver 
• Trailblazer Leadership

Nominations are being accepted online through Feb. 20. 
Online Nomination Form

Aligned with the national theme "Level Up, Build Strong," the program highlights women's career growth, leadership and impact across the entire built environment—from craft professionals to executive leadership, from design studios to project sites.

FEB. BX HR GROUP MEETING

HR Group to Discuss Performance Management

For today's workforce, having an established career path is no longer optional – it's a requirement. For HR professionals that means having a plan for guiding team members along the way.

Next week, the BX HR Group is holding a roundtable conversation that will allow attendees to share their best practices and explore new options for performance management and employee development.

If your role includes human resources or talent management, you’re encouraged to join the Feb. conversation and the BX HR Group. The group gathers up to nine times each year for a mix of educational programs, peer discussions and social events.

For more information about the BX HR Group, contact Deb Murphy.

AI, Data Analytics and the Cloud = Intelligent Infrastructure

Artificial Intelligence has organizations reshaping their infrastructure planning and budgeting, and with a convergence of cloud, data and AI it’s vital for leaders to understand what an “Intelligent Infrastructure” will mean for their company.

As businesses continue to capture more data and utilize the analytics, it’s vital to have an IT infrastructure plan that allows for accessibility and risk mitigation. Rich Colley (Expedient) will share real world lessons from customer migrations to disaster recovery and AI rollouts and look ahead to what your organization can expect in 2026, and beyond.

This course is ideal for anyone involved in setting infrastructure and technology direction including CIOs, CTOs, IT Directors, Solutions Architects and other C-Suite leaders.

For more information about this course, contact Deb Murphy.

Shake, Sip & Socialize: Tequila Edition

Calling all tequila enthusiasts and aspiring agave connoisseurs! Are you ready to awaken your palate with the bold, nuanced flavors of premium tequila while connecting with like-minded professionals?

Look no further! The BX Young Professionals are excited to invite you to a tequila tasting networking event. Sip, learn and mingle as we explore a curated selection of tequilas and build meaningful connections along the way.

Your registration includes tequila samples and heavy appetizers. For more information about this event, contact Kelly Stover.

From Conflict to Collaboration: Build Stronger Teams with Expert Strategies

Communication skills are vital to success in the construction industry. 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 an understanding of bias in conflict.

Here’s what previous participants have said about this program:

M.J. provided a realistic viewpoint on the topic and how to work on making changes.

This course opened my way of thinking and identified techniques for resolving tough situations.

I really enjoyed the interaction and the group activities.

This program would be beneficial for everyone in the construction industry.

For more information about this program, contact Deb Murphy.

Are You Prepared to Save a Life?

First aid can be lifesaving in an emergency. The skills and knowledge gained in this course empower participants to respond effectively when it matters most. 

Because medical best practices continue to evolve, staying up to date on recommended care is essential for all first aid providers. Participants should leave this training confident in their ability to recognize emergencies and provide appropriate, timely assistance. Topics covered include:

• Basic first aid skills
• Bandaging and wound care
• CPR skills with hands-on practice
• How to use an AED

Upon successful completion, participants will receive an Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) certification card, valid for two years.

For more information about this class or to schedule a company-specific session, contact Ashton Chapman.

Project Management - From Start to Finish

Join local industry experts as they outline how to properly oversee a project from start to finish. Then, you’ll never have to ask yourself the question “Do I have what it takes to be an effective PM?” – because the answer will be yes!

This course is ideal for those new to project management, as well as those who are looking to move into this role. Attendees will learn how to approach building a quality team, making decisions under pressure, organizing projects and much more.

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.