The 2024 DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo gathered design-build professionals, Owners and industry leaders from across the country in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 6–8, for an energizing experience focused on advancing design-build best practices. As DBIA’s largest annual event, the Conference & Expo offered attendees a dynamic mix of networking, exploration of cutting-edge tools and valuable insights into the future of design-build — all with a side of well-deserved fun.
General Sessions That Inspired and Challenged
Each general session brought unique insights and challenges, setting a forward-thinking tone for the future of design-build.
The conference kicked off with a keynote from New York Times bestselling author Alex Banayan, who introduced his Third Door Mindset — an approach that encourages finding alternative paths to success when conventional ones fall short. Through engaging stories from his own journey, Banayan underscored the importance of persistence, creativity and reframing challenges as opportunities. His reminder that “the opposite of success isn’t failure; it’s giving up” resonated with many in the audience, particularly within the design-build community, where innovation is essential for overcoming obstacles. Banayan’s keynote set an inspiring tone and challenged attendees to think beyond traditional methods.
The second general session highlighted leadership and collaboration, beginning by recognizing DBIA’s Distinguished Leadership Award recipients: Owner James “Tony” Parrott; Young Professional Emily Galliers, MCIOB, DBIA; and Industry Practitioner Rod Pope, PE, FDBIA. Each honoree was celebrated for their exceptional dedication to advancing collaboration and innovation in design-build.
However, this session’s main event was the interactive Design-Build Dating Game, hosted by former DBIA National Board Chair Deb Sheehan, ACHE, EDAC, LEED AP, DBIA (DPR Construction). In this lively, game-show-style session, Catherine Woodworth, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA (Hensel Phelps) took on the role of the “bachelorette” design-builder, while Owners Janice Zahn, PE, CCM (Port of Seattle); Jim Kehoe, DBIA (VanTrust Real Estate); and Tom Foley, PE, CCM, DBIA (New York City Department of Design and Construction) competed as contestants each vying to be the “Owner of Choice.”
Woodworth posed questions selected by the audience, prompting each contestant to share their approach to collaboration, expectations and handling real-world challenges. Molly Jones, LEED AP, AIA, DBIA (Jones Design Studio) and Craig Unger, FDBIA (Unger Security Solutions LLC) worked the crowd, fielding questions and comments to help Woodworth make her decision. After each question, attendees voted on their favorite responses to provide Woodworth with live feedback. Ultimately, she chose Zahn as her “match.” The session, a favorite among attendees, offered a humorous and insightful glimpse into the dynamics of Owner/Design-Builder relationships by emphasizing the value of open communication, shared goals and flexibility.
Friday morning’s session offered insights into the future of the industry while celebrating emerging talent in design-build. It began with the announcement of the winners of DBIA’s National Design-Build Student Competition. This year, Cardinal Design-Build from the University of Arizona won first place, with Rocky Mountain Design-Build from the University of Colorado Boulder and Altitude Design Development from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design taking second and third places, respectively. Lauren Johnson, also from the University of Arizona, was awarded Best Individual Presenter. These students exemplify the dedication and creativity that will drive design-build forward, reinforcing DBIA’s commitment to fostering new talent.
Chris Daum, President and CEO of FMI Corporation, then delivered an economic outlook on the AEC industry’s trajectory, highlighting key trends such as the growth of megaprojects, shifts in major construction markets and the increasing focus on sectors like renewable energy and infrastructure. Daum’s analysis offered tangible insights to help attendees prepare for the economic challenges and opportunities shaping design-build. The presentation gave participants a clearer understanding of the industry’s direction, providing valuable context for strategic planning.
The conference concluded with a keynote by futurist and author April Rinne, who delivered insights on adaptability and resilience. Drawing from her book Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change, Rinne provided strategies for navigating an unpredictable world. Her “superpowers” for embracing change resonated with an audience familiar with rapid shifts and unforeseen challenges. Rinne’s focus on the power of mindset and flexibility inspired attendees to see change as an opportunity and equipped them with practical tools for leading confidently through uncertainty.
Highlights from Dallas
Beyond the general sessions, this year’s conference offered a wealth of knowledge, resources and exciting announcements. Here are some memorable moments from the event:
Tracks for Every Design-Build Professional
The conference featured five specialized tracks tailored to the diverse interests of design-build professionals:
- Teamology: Amplifying Collective Impact with Next Level Approaches to Teaming
- Community Champions: Local Stories of Impact
- Future-Forward Fundamentals: Skills for the Next Era
- Different by Design: Innovative and Unique Practices for Standout Results
- The Design-Build Done Right Differential: Scaling Success with Best Practices
Each track offered participants the chance to explore their specific areas of interest, with expert-led sessions on actionable insights, case studies and strategies for project success. With topics ranging from the essentials for the next era to impactful community projects, the tracks provided a comprehensive learning experience for all attendees.
Awards Dinner and Recognition
DBIA celebrated nearly 50 projects and teams at a special Awards Dinner by honoring those who exemplify excellence in design-build. This year’s Project of the Year went to the University of Arizona’s state-of-the-art Applied Research Building, and the Chair’s Award recognized the Holt Watters Field Camp in Antarctica for its extraordinary commitment to economic, environmental and social impact. In addition, Donald G. Warren, FDBIA, received the Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award and the newest class of DBIA Fellows was inducted into the College of Fellows during the Awards Dinner.
For a complete list of Project/Team Award winners, including Excellence Award winners in each category and Best-In winners, visit the recent Design-Build Delivers Blog post.
Networking and Career Development
From seasoned professionals to students just beginning their careers, the Design-Build Conference & Expo offered a wealth of networking opportunities. During the Student Mixer and the Student/Grad Career Connect on the Expo floor, young professional and college student attendees connected with industry leaders, explored career paths and engaged in meaningful conversations with like-minded peers. The conference also featured an energetic opening reception co-hosted by the DBIA Southwest Region to break the ice, the Annual Membership Meeting to highlight DBIA’s progress and goals for the year ahead, and a Region Roundup for attendees to network with region leaders and learn more about engagement opportunities at the local level.
Additionally, the always-popular Owners’ Forum and Practitioner’ Forum on day one provided focused discussions tailored to the unique challenges and perspectives of each group, offering a dedicated space to generate dialogue. These events established a vibrant and collaborative tone for the conference, sparking three days of productive conversation across the design-build industry.
A Night to Remember at Longhorn Ballroom
The conference wasn’t all work and no play! On Wednesday night, attendees gathered at Dallas’ iconic Longhorn Ballroom, where they enjoyed live music, delicious food and the chance to unwind with peers. The iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders made a special appearance, adding excitement and local flair to the celebration. This memorable evening brought the design-build community together and capped off a day filled with learning and engagement.
Getting the Event Started Before It Even Began
The 2024 DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo kicked off with impactful pre-conference events.
The VDC Leadership Exchange (VDCLEx) gathered leaders and practitioners in Virtual Design and Construction to explore the latest advancements and best practices in VDC, setting a dynamic foundation for the week.
Meanwhile, a foundational course offered from the Collaborative Delivery Leadership Academy (CDLA) provided an intensive experience focused on building and refining leadership skills for collaborative project delivery. Both events underscored DBIA’s commitment to advancing industry skills and innovation and creating the design-build leaders of tomorrow.
Looking to the Future
The energy and insights shared in Dallas at the 2024 DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo underscore the power of design-build to shape the AEC industry’s future. This year’s event set the tone for what’s to come, reaffirming DBIA’s commitment to advancing best practices, fostering collaboration and driving innovation across sectors and communities.
If you attended the Design-Build Conference & Expo, be sure to check your email for an opportunity to provide your feedback so we can ensure our conferences remain among the best in the industry.
To view highlights from the event, check out our LinkedIn page and our 2024 conference photo gallery. We look forward to seeing you again at next year’s DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nov. 5-7, 2025!
