Nearly 400 Owners and practitioners gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia, for the 2024 DBIA Federal Design-Build Symposium last week. Each year, the Symposium is the premier gathering for federal design-build professionals, bringing together key players from federal agencies, representatives from public agencies utilizing federal funding, and leaders from the design and construction industry. Over two days, attendees engaged in targeted design-build education, candid conversations and meaningful networking, all designed to elevate the federal marketplace.
Inspiring Momentum with Kim Becking
The symposium kicked off with an inspiring keynote titled “Conquering Change, Challenges and Uncertainty: Igniting Unstoppable Momentum,” delivered by Kim Becking, a motivational speaker and best-selling author. Becking, known for her expertise in change and leadership, shared insights on thriving amidst the ever-present changes and uncertainties in the AEC industry. Drawing from her extensive background, including her involvement in one of Missouri’s first design-build bridge projects, Becking offered a fresh perspective on resilience, adaptability and turning obstacles into opportunities.
Educational Tracks Drive Procurement and Contracting Excellence
DBIA is committed to providing industry, federal agencies and the programs they fund with the innovative tools, design-build best practices and federal policy insights needed to build high-performance teams. This commitment was evident throughout the symposium, where sessions were split into two focused tracks: “Procuring Design-Build Services: Tips and Advice for Owners and Industry” and “Design-Build Contracting & Execution in the Federal Sector.”
One of the standout sessions, “Elevating the Design in Design-Build — The New Design Excellence Position Statement from DBIA,” introduced the updated Design Excellence Position Statement. Attendees learned about the five lenses that define design excellence and how they can improve outcomes for Owners, design-build teams and the communities they serve. The session emphasized the importance of prioritizing design excellence in the RFQ/RFP process and thinking broadly about its implementation.
Another highlighted session, “Utilizing Design-Build Best Practices on a Highly Secure Federal Facility,” provided an in-depth look at the application of DBIA Best Practices within a secure federal project. Experts from the Cast Iron Project team discussed the critical role these practices played in the successful execution of the project, offering attendees valuable insights into overcoming the complexities and challenges of working within secure environments.
The program also featured a behind-the-scenes look at the award-winning San Antonio U.S. Courthouse project. The General Session highlighted how the design-build team transformed a facility dating back to the 1960s into a modern, technology-driven courthouse that meets the highest standards of security and public accessibility. Attendees learned about the challenges overcome during the project and the best practices that led to its success, offering valuable lessons for future federal projects.
Collaboration Strengthened at Practitioners’ and Owners’ Forums
Two of the favorite events at every conference, the Practitioners’ and Owners’ Forums, provided spaces for each group to have open discussions on the specific challenges and opportunities they face. As Bryan Faulkner from Bonneville Power Administration said, “It was my first time hearing all the other issues people are having, and learning about how other people solve those issues is really interesting to hear.” These forums underscore the importance of shared experiences and collaborative problem-solving within the federal design-build community.
Building Connections Through Networking and Collaboration
Networking opportunities were abundant, with a reception that allowed attendees to connect and share experiences in a more informal setting. The symposium also featured an open forum where participants could pose questions to a panel of design-build experts, ensuring all voices were heard and that practical challenges were addressed.
As the federal design-build landscape evolves, the DBIA Federal Design-Build Symposium remains a critical event for those looking to stay ahead of the curve. This year’s event illustrated the power of collaboration, innovation and the relentless pursuit of excellence in federal design-build projects.
See All the Buzz from the Event!
Sessions were well attended, the hallways were full of networking and our sponsors were busy connecting! We’ve created a Federal Design-Build Symposium photo album for anyone to view and download images. Photos are FREE to download and no photo credit attribution is needed. Post on social, include in your newsletters or on your websites!
Save the Date
Mark your calendars and start planning your budget now for next year’s Federal Design-Build Symposium, which returns to the Hyatt Regency Reston in Virginia, August 20-21, 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to join fellow industry leaders in advancing the future of federal design-build.
Looking Ahead
If you’re eager for more insights and networking opportunities, join us at the 2024 Design-Build Conference & Expo this November in Dallas, Texas. This is your chance to engage with the broader design-build community, explore the latest trends and learn from the best in the industry. Registration is currently open.
