The 2024 DBIA-SW Regional Conference was a testament to the resilience and dedication of the design-build community. It unfolded under some challenging Houston weather conditions, including heavy rain and flooding! We sincerely thank every one of you - attendees, speakers, volunteers, and sponsors - for your invaluable contributions. Special thanks are due to those who braved the unpredictable weather to join us in person and equally to those who were stuck on airplanes, in airports, or at home.
Your participation in this conference has not only demonstrated the power of collaboration but also the potential for continued innovation in our industry. We are thrilled about the future of design-build and the significant role each of you plays in shaping it. Thank you for joining us in Houston, and we eagerly look forward to seeing you again next year!
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
The 2024 SW Conference was a unique platform that showcased the evolving design-build landscape. There were 17 exciting sessions and extensive expert discussions across four tracks. With over 45 speakers sharing insights, this conference was a melting pot of ideas and innovations in the design-build sector!
Charles Pulliam kicked off the conference with an inspiring talk on integrating resilience, sustainability, and human-centric approaches in construction. Pulliam emphasized the concept of "profitable wastelessness," where environmental stewardship aligns with economic benefits. His vision for a construction process that serves humanity and thrives in harmony with nature set a compelling tone for the conference. He also shared practical strategies for implementing these principles in real-world projects.
Our Keynote breakfast on May 3 featured Houston-area owners Pierre Grosdidier, Grady Mapes, Markos Mengesha, and moderator Lynnsee Boyse, who provided insights on collaborative delivery in public works and transportation. We thank them for sharing their perspectives with our group!
To end the DBIA-SW Conference, Lisa Washington and Dana Pomeroy from the Design-Build Institute of America explored how the organization shapes best practices and drives innovation in design-build projects. Their presentation underscored the importance of DBIA's leadership in promoting project success through collaborative and innovative practices.
A standout social highlight was the Ball Park Bash at Minute Maid Park. Despite the inclement weather, attendees enjoyed an exciting baseball game between the Astros and the Guardians, providing a perfect backdrop for networking and relaxation after the conference sessions. This event and the numerous networking breaks and social hours throughout the conference offered valuable opportunities for attendees to connect with industry peers and potential collaborators.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A heartfelt thank you to the Conference Planning Committee and all volunteers for their dedication and hard work in making this event successful. Their commitment to excellence was evident in every conference detail, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for all attendees.
YOUR FEEDBACK IS INVALUABLE
As we continuously strive to improve your experience and the value our conference provides, we invite you to share your thoughts through our post-event survey. Your feedback is essential for us to tailor our future conferences to better meet your professional and educational needs. Additionally, completing this survey is necessary to receive your continuing education credits.
Please click here to take the survey -
MORE FROM THE CONFERENCE
Please have a look at some additional pictures from the conference in the gallery below -
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 CONFERENCE SPONSORS!
Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the companies that generously sponsored the conference. Your financial support was instrumental in the event's success and enabled us to provide high-quality sessions, networking opportunities, and social events. We deeply appreciate your dedication to advancing the design-build industry. Thank you to our 2024 conference sponsors!
