Keynote Speakers
David & Jonah Stillman
Wednesday, February 11th
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Grand Ballroom
Ignite your workforce after attending our keynote speakers David and Jonah Stillman—the father-son duo who literally wrote the book on Gen Z. For over 25 years, David has been the go-to generational expert for CNN, The New York Times, and Fortune 500 leaders, while Gen Z phenom Jonah brings authentic, boots-on-the-ground insights from the first national study of his generation’s workplace attitudes. Together, they’ll deliver a high-energy, research-backed session on the seven key traits driving Gen Z employees and proven strategies to you to recruit, retain, and motivate your youngest employees.
Sponsored by Diamond National Partner Core & Main
Mark Bridgers
Economic Outlook for the Utility Construction Industry
Thursday, February 12th
9:30 am - 10:30 am | Grand Ballroom
Don’t miss Continuum Capital’s Mark Bridgers as he delivers his razor-sharp economic outlook for the American utility construction industry in 2026. With decades of
financial and industry expertise and deep insight into infrastructure trends, Mark will unpack emerging opportunities, funding streams, interest-rate impacts,
labor dynamics, and risks ahead in 2026 and beyond.
Roundtables
Thursday, February 12th
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Grand Ballroom
Designed for open dialogue and real-world insight, the
roundtable encourages participants to share
experiences, ask questions, and leave with actionable
ideas they can apply immediately to their operations.
Topics will include:
- Software for Utility Contractors – Evaluating and leveraging software to improve visibility, productivity, and decision-making.
- Navigating Contract Terms – Identifying high-risk clauses, negotiating fair terms, and managing contractual obligations to reduce exposure and protect profitability.
- Accounts Receivable Pitfalls – Addressing common payment challenges, improving billing practices, and implementing strategies to accelerate cash flow and reduce bad debt.
Sponsored by ECP
Wally Adamchik
Workplace Culture
Thursday, February 12th
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Grand Ballroom
Join Firestarter’s Wally Adamchik for a no-nonsense session on leadership that actually sticks. A former U.S. Marine Corps officer and veteran construction executive, Wally will share battle-tested lessons on investing in people, building unbreakable trust, and creating a high-performance culture that drives safety, productivity, and profit. Learn how to inspire commitment, overcome excuses, and turn good crews into great ones.
Operational Best Practices
Thursday, February 12th
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Canyon I
Join FMI’s Tyler Paré for a powerhouse session on building smarter, stronger utility construction businesses. Drawing on FMI’s industry-leading research and advisory expertise, Tyler will deliver proven strategies to boost profitability, optimize talent, navigate risk, and capitalize on 2026 market shifts. Walk away with actionable tools to elevate bidding accuracy, strengthen leadership pipelines, and drive sustainable growth.
Sponsored by Tenna