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Location:
Diverge Innovation Center
Suite 200, 3125 E Wood St Phoenix, AZ 85040
Discounted Hotel Rooms Available at:
Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes
2000 W Westcourt Way, Tempe, AZ 85282
To Book Click HERE (Limited quantity available)
General Admission — $350 USD
Registration required. Includes the Day 1 Welcome Reception and all event programming on Day 2.The Executive Leadership Forum is invite-only and not included.
Building Transformations is bringing its U.S. Industry Summit back to Phoenix with The Future of Design and Construction: An Immersive Innovation Showcase—a fully interactive event hosted at the Diverge Innovation Center. This summit will unite builders, designers, trades, owners, and innovators for live demonstrations, peer discussions, and direct engagement with tools reshaping the built environment.
As emerging technologies like robotics, AI, VR, 3D printing, and automation continue to advance, integrating them effectively into real-world design and construction workflows—without disrupting operations—has become increasingly complex. At this summit, participants will move through the Innovation Center experiencing technology in action. Demonstrations will showcase real-world applications and workflows, featuring field technology, digital tools, robotics, AI, and automation that are transforming how infrastructure is planned, built, and managed across North America.
This is your opportunity to move beyond theory: get hands-on with the technologies, challenge outdated processes, gain practical insight from industry leaders, and return with actionable strategies to boost efficiency, reduce rework, and improve project outcomes.
At an affordable general admission rate—$350 USD, which includes the Welcome Reception on April 21 and full event programming on April 22—this summit offers a high-impact opportunity for you, your team, and your partners to engage with innovation in a meaningful, practical way. We look forward to seeing you there!
Check out our Event Prospectus HERE
Interested in sponsoring this industry event? Contact us at events@buildingtransformations.org.
Thank you to our Event Planning Chairs who helped to curate and plan this event!
Subscribe to our newsletter if you’d like to be notified when registration is live!
The Executive Leadership Forum is a private, invite-only gathering of 50 senior leaders from across North America. This exclusive session brings together industry executives to hear from expert speakers and panellists, and to participate in facilitated collaboration sessions focused on the current state of the AEC industry. Discussions will center on where the industry should place its “big bets,” developing a sound AI roadmap and strategy, and preparing organizations for what’s next. The forum concludes with targeted breakout sessions exploring the future of design and construction delivery. This session is invite-only and is not included with regular summit admission.
Opening Remarks By:
Hannu Lindberg, Construction Technology - Project Panning and Execution - DPR Construction | Chair, Board of Directors - Building Transformations
Thai Nguyen, Director of Innovation - Hensel Phelps
KP Reddy - Founder & Managing Partner - Shadow Ventures
Thai Nguyen (Moderator) — Director of Innovation - Hensel Phelps
Josh Kanner — Senior Director of Product and Strategy | Analytics & AI - Oracle
Jit Kee Chin — Chief Technology Officer - Suffolk Construction
Lindsey Rem — Senior Vice President, Business Transformation - Barton Malow
Sean Young — Director, AECO, Geospatial, and AI Solutions Industry Marketing - NVIDIA
Mark Schwartz — Senior Vice President | AECO Software | Executive Team Member - Trimble
Kick off The Future of Design and Construction: An Immersive Innovation Showcase Experience with an informal evening of connection and conversation. Join industry peers at the Diverge Innovation Center for light refreshments, drinks, and networking in a relaxed setting. This reception sets the tone for the day ahead—bringing together builders, designers, technologists, and owners to spark ideas, meet new collaborators, and reconnect with familiar faces.
Start the day by checking in, enjoying a light breakfast, and connecting with fellow attendees before the program begins.
A brief welcome from Building Transformations, outlining the vision for the event and the day’s objectives.
Join Mike Sewell, Gresham Smith’s Chief Digital Transformation Officer, as he shares insights on leading digital innovation in design and construction. Mike brings extensive experience, having led efforts to position Gresham Smith at the forefront of emerging technologies. He has quickly become a nationally recognized thought leader, frequently speaking on the impact of AI and other innovations on the AECO industry. In his keynote, Mike will share practical strategies for digital transformation, lessons from complex projects, and his vision for the future of technology in the field.
Join Jim Barrett, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Turner Construction—the largest general contractor in the U.S.—as he shares insights, perspectives, and lessons learned from nearly three decades of leading innovation on some of the nation’s most complex projects. Attendees will gain a valuable opportunity to learn from his extensive experience and hear candid advice on technology adoption.
This executive panel will set the stage for the afternoon by exploring how AI, automation, and machine learning are transforming the construction and built environment industries. The conversation will provide insights into emerging trends, practical applications, and strategic implications, while offering an honest reality check on the future of design and construction. The session will conclude with dedicated time for audience Q&A.
Enjoy lunch while expanding your professional network. Connect with peers, speakers, and technology partners.
Participants will move through the Innovation Center, experiencing technology in action. These demonstrations highlight real-world case studies and workflows, featuring on-site technology, digital tools, robotics, AI, and automation—advancements that are transforming how we plan, build, and manage infrastructure across North America.
Round out the day with facilitated, small-group discussions designed to help attendees exchange insights, identify shared challenges, and shape future solutions together. These sessions are a pivotal moment in driving innovation—your opportunity to synthesize the day’s learnings, capture the critical takeaways, and translate them into practical actions you can bring back to your team. This is a session you will not want to miss.
A summary of key takeaways and reflections on the day’s discussions, demonstrations, and collaborative outcomes.
End the day with our On-Site Closing Reception. Everyone is welcome to stay for an informal gathering featuring food trucks, lawn games, and a relaxed atmosphere. This social wrap-up offers the perfect setting to unwind, continue conversations sparked throughout the event, and build new connections in a casual, community-focused environment.
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