We’re getting so close to DBIA’s 2025 Design-Build for Transportation/Aviation and Design-Build for Water/Wastewater Conferences!
Do you still need to register?
Are you already registered but ready to get hyped?
From March 17–21 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, these must-attend events will bring together the nation’s top design-build minds to tackle the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities in transportation, aviation and water infrastructure.
Both events feature industry-shaping insights from top economic and market analysts, lessons from award-winning design-build projects and real-world strategies to navigate risk, innovation and evolving project delivery trends. With infrastructure demands surging and design-build leading the way, you can’t afford to sit this one out.
The clock is ticking, and this is your chance to gain real-world insights, build powerful connections and get the tools you need to thrive in today’s evolving industry.
Get Ready for Powerful Keynotes & Game-Changing General Sessions
DBIA’s General Sessions and Keynotes will deliver bold ideas, expert analysis and real-world solutions to the most pressing issues in the industry. These sessions will set the tone for the week, sparking discussions that will shape the future of design-build.
Driving the Future: How Emerging Technologies Are Shaping Tomorrow’s World
Opening Keynote | Transportation/Aviation | Monday, March 17
What does the future look like? Alex Salkever has been writing about it for two decades, covering AI and ChatGPT, green energy, genetic engineering, cloud computing, self-driving cars and more. A former BusinessWeek editor and award-winning author, Salkever has worked as a senior technology executive in Silicon Valley and contributes to Fortune, Marketwatch, CNBC and Foreign Affairs.
In this thought-provoking keynote, he’ll explore how emerging technologies reshape our world and what design-build teams need to know to stay ahead. From automation to artificial intelligence, this session will challenge attendees to think about the role of technology in shaping the built environment — and what’s coming next.
Planes, Trains and Transformations: Elevating Infrastructure Through Design-Build
General Session | Transportation/Aviation | Tuesday, March 18
From airports to rail networks, design-build is transforming how transportation infrastructure is delivered. This session features leaders from the award-winning Nashville International Airport Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility project and Amtrak, sharing how design-build has helped streamline complex projects, enhance multimodal connectivity and deliver innovative solutions.
Expect discussions on critical factors in meeting modern transit infrastructure demands, including speed of delivery, sustainability, risk mitigation and passenger experience.
Engineering’s Economic Impact, Industry Sentiment and Future Outlook: Insights for 2025 and Beyond
General Session | Transportation/Aviation | Wednesday, March 19
Where is the engineering industry headed? This session unpacks the ACEC Research Institute’s latest Engineering Economic Assessment and Forecast, providing a comprehensive look at industry performance. Experts will break down GDP contributions, job creation, tax revenues and what these trends mean for the future of infrastructure development.
Paired with insights from the quarterly Engineering Business Sentiment Survey, this session will offer a clear picture of where the industry is headed and how design-build professionals can prepare.
Navigating the Evolving Landscape
Joint General Session | Wednesday, March 19
The AEC industry is transforming rapidly. Economic pressures, shifting market trends and the need for smarter risk management are reshaping how projects are planned and delivered. This session will critically examine the forces driving change in design-build.
- Chris Daum, FMI Corporation, will break down key economic indicators and financial trends that could impact project budgets, timelines and resource availability.
- Emily Beardall, FMI Corporation, will examine the latest design-build market trends, exploring what’s fueling its growth and the challenges ahead.
- Keith Molenaar, Ph.D., FDBIA, University of Colorado at Boulder, will offer insights into ongoing research on risk management in progressive design-build, giving attendees an early look at best practices for success.
After these short, high-impact presentations, all three speakers will return for a moderated Q&A, offering attendees the chance to engage directly with industry leaders and walk away with actionable insights.
Economic Briefing with Andy Busch
Opening Keynote | Water/Wastewater | Thursday, March 20
Andy Busch, former Chief Market Intelligence Officer for the U.S. government, is an economic futurist with a career spent analyzing financial markets, trade policy and technology’s impact on the economy.
As a consultant and keynote speaker, Busch has provided economic and market briefings to the White House, U.S. Congress, the SEC, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury. His job? To take complex economic trends and filter them into concise, actionable insights.
This keynote will move attendees from chaos to confidence, offering a big-picture look at the economic forces shaping the industry and what design-build teams need to prepare for in the years ahead.
The Design-Build Match Game: Aligning for Success
General Session | Water/Wastewater | Thursday, March 20
Owners are in the hot seat, facing new expectations to make their projects more attractive to design-build teams. As design-builders adapt, the “Owner of Choice” concept has become more important than ever.
In a fun twist on the classic Match Game, this session will feature a panel of design-build Owners matching insights with industry professionals and audience responses, sparking discussion on collaboration, alignment and the keys to successful partnerships.
The Clock Is Ticking! Register Before It’s Too Late!
With DBIA’s 2025 Design-Build for Transportation/Aviation and Water/Wastewater Conferences just over two weeks away, this is your last chance to secure a spot and be part of the industry-defining conversations shaping the future of design-build. Register now!
