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Featured Keynote Speakers

World of Modular’s top-notch keynote and educational breakout sessions will equip industry professionals with the latest knowledge in every facet of the commercial modular construction business. Attendees learn new skills and techniques, find ways to operate more efficiently, and make valuable contacts to improve their business.

Take a look at our newly released 2024 speaker line-up below.

Anirban Basu

Economic Trends Expert | CEO & Founder of Sage Policy Group, Inc.

Construction Drivers & Trends in 2024

Economist Anirban Basu returns to World of Modular to offer an informative and entertaining forecast for the construction marketplace. Basu is chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, a consulting firm in Baltimore, MD, and is one of the most recognizable economists in and around Washington, DC. He provides policy and economic consulting for numerous clients including developers, bankers, brokerage houses, energy suppliers and law firms. He has also written several high-profile reports on construction, including MBI’s “Economic & Financial Performance of Relocatable Buildings in the US Modular Building Industry". Basu was also recently named chief economist for the Modular Building Institute and provides MBI and its members regular macroeconomic updates and research.

SPONSORED BY

Kevin Brown

Branding & Company Culture Expert | Author of The HERO Effect®

The Hero Effect®

Kevin Brown is on a mission to help others embrace a simple philosophy that separates world class organizations and high-performance people from everyone else. He is passionate about helping industry stakeholders--regardless of their position--expand their vision, develop their potential, and grow their results. In this keynote presentation, Kevin will walk attendees through his successful "HERO Effect®" principles on leadership. The role of a leader is to create an environment where people can be the best version of themselves so they can serve their organization's brand well and stand out in a crowded marketplace. Kevin knows this first-hand. He is a branding and culture expert with a 30-year career in franchise development. He spent the last 20 years of that as part of the team that built a little-known family business into their industry's top franchisor with annual revenues exceeding two billion dollars. Kevin will help you create an environment where people are inspired; develop a team that is committed, focused,
and on fire for the brand they are helping build; and even design a company obsession statement that drives high performance and world-class customer experience.

SPONSORED BY

Learn from the Industry's Best at World of Modular

This year our educational breakout sessions are classified by one or more of the themes below. This was designed for you to maximize your 2024 WOM experience!

Breakout Speakers

Just In!

Take a first look at our 2024 speaker line-up! Check back often for updates and announcements on new speakers!

Sponsored By
Web
* Indicates a speaker participating in multiple sessions. Refer to the session descriptions to view the complete list. 
sam albrecht 500 x 500

Sam Albrecht
Director, Office of Regulatory Oversight
Colorado Department of Local Affairs

See Presentation >

mohamed

Mohamed Al-Hussein
Professor, Hole School of Construction Engineering
University of Alberta

See Presentation >

Dave Barista

Dave Barista
Editorial Director
Building Design + Construction

See Presentation >

Jevon_Bindman 500 x 500

Jevon C. Bindman
Partner
Maslon LLP

See Presentation >

ryan_blowers

Ryan Blowers *
Co-Founder & Head of Manufacturing
ReMo Homes

See Presentation >

headshot

Katie Bond
Graduate Student in Systems Engineering & Construction Management
Colorado State University

See Presentation >

Sean Brown

Sean Brown
Vice President of Factory Operations
Fading West

See Presentation >

headshot

Nolan Browne
Founding Partner
ADL Ventures

See Presentation >

John Buongiorno

John Buongiorno
Vice President, Modular Division
Axis Construction

See Presentation >

cameron_500x500

Stuart Cameron
Director, MMC Lead
CES Group

See Presentation >

Karun_Chakravarthy

Karun Chakravarthy
Expert Business Consultant, Architecture, Engineering & Construction
Dassault Systemes

See Presentation >

Jin Ouk Choi_500x500

Jin Ouk Choi
Associate Professor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

See Presentation >

Sarah Chung

Sarah Chung
Project Manager, Construction & Infrastructure Standards
CSA Group

See Presentation >

ciotti

Ronald D. Ciotti
Partner
Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP

See Presentation >

ryan colker 500 x 500

Ryan Colker
Vice President, Innovation
 International Code Council

See Presentation >

Danny Combs

Danny Combs
Founder
TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades)

See Presentation >

Dave Cooper 500x500

Dave Cooper
Founder/Host
Dave Cooper LIVE

See Presentation >

Serena Crivellaro

Serena Crivellaro
Managing Director, Engineering & Construction Sector Lead
KPMG

See Presentation >

carmen cruz

Carmen Cruz
National Partnership Development Director
The Building Talent Foundation

See Presentation >

headshot

Dean Dalvit
Principal
Evstudio

See Presentation >

Jennifer-Dewees

Jennifer Dewees, LEED AP
President
Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, Inc. (MCCEI)

See Presentation >

ANKUR_D

Ankur Dobriyal
Director of Off-site Innovation
Module

See Presentation >

Pablo Domecq NEW_ECOSAN-Pablo.Domecq-2024.01.30

Pablo Domecq
Technical Representative
ECOSAN S.A.

See Presentation >

Brent Doucette RVSD Edit (2)

Brent Doucette
Business Development Manager, Modular Division 
Axis Construction

See Presentation >

Dean Dovolis

Dean Dovolis
Founder
DJR Architecture

See Presentation >

Ellis 500x500

Michael Ellis
NAM Infastructure, AEC & PS Technical Executive Senior Specialist
Dassault Systemes

See Presentation >

Tony Frost

Anthony Frost
President
TDK Management Co.

See Presentation >

JIm Gabriel

Jim Gabriel
President & CEO 
MODLOGIQ

See Presentation >

Gelatt300x300

Daniel Gelatt
Director of Business Development & Field Operations
Safe & Green Holdings Corp.

See Presentation >

Bob Gesing 300x300

Bob Gesing, AIA
Principal
MIND (Medical Innovations Development)

See Presentation >

Chris Giattina 500x500

Chris Giattina
Founder & CEO
Blox, LLC

See Presentation >

Simon-Gledhill Dodd

Simon Gledhill
CEO
Dodd Modular Limited

See Presentation >

Jesse Goldman

Jesse Goldman
Principal Architect
CSHQA Architects

See Presentation >

Audree Grubesic

Audree Grubesic
Founder
OffSiteDirt.com

See Presentation >

headshot

Khaled Habib
Principal Technical Lead, Structural & Construction
CSA Group

See Presentation >

jon-hannah 500 x 500

Jon Hannah-Spacagna
Government Affairs Director
Modular Building Institute

See Presentation >

Jennifer Harper

Jennifer Harper
Head, L&E Government Contracts Group
Squire Patton Boggs

See Presentation >

Scott Heckel 500x500

Scott Heckel
Director of Operations
MODLOGIQ

See Presentation >

headshot

Ben Hershey
CEO
4Ward Consulting Group

See Presentation >

headshot

Michael Hough
Founder
MJH Structural Engineers

See Presentation >

Carol Howerton 500 x 500

Carol Howerton
Workforce Development Director
Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center

See Presentation >

Kevin Hudson

Kevin Hudson
Director of Facilities
Memorial Health System

See Presentation >

headshot

HR Huntsman
Owner/Founder
Leader's Edge

See Presentation >

Joon Ha Hwang

Joon Ha Hwang
Initiative Lead, Construction Sector Digitization and Productivity
National Research Council

See Presentation >

Nicole Jacobsen_DSC_0217 2

Nicole Jacobsen
Associate
ADL Ventures

See Presentation >

killingsworth 500x500

John Killingsworth
Associate Professor,
Department of Construction Management
Colorado State University

See Presentation >

Vamsi_Kumar_Kotla 500 x 500

Vamsi Kumar Kotla
Co-Founder & CEO
ReMo Homes

See Presentation >

headshot

Andy Kwong
Product Manager
CSA Group

See Presentation >

Matthew Laase

Matthew Laase, AIA NCARB
Principal
Jackson Main Architecture

See Presentation >

Steve Ladurantaye 500 x 500

Steve Ladurantaye
Vice President of Content
Zonda

See Presentation >

Cooper Lane

Cooper Lane
Vice President of Sales
Brave Control Solutions

See Presentation >

Sara Logan

Sara-Ann Logan, AIA, RIBA, NOMA, IIDA *
Vice President of Design
Volumetric Building Companies

See Presentation >

Merrick Macomber

Merrick Macomber *
CEO & Founder
Modular Maven

See Presentation >

Ron Mann 500 x 500

Ron Mann
Sr Vice President, Modular
Graywolf

See Presentation >

John McMullen

John McMullen, PCM *
Marketing Director
Modular Building Institute

See Presentation >

maulid miskell 500 x 500

Mo Miskell
Deputy Director, Division of Housing
Colorado Department of Local Affairs

See Presentation >

Mark Molen

Mark Molen
Principal
MIND (Medical Innovations Development)

See Presentation >

Rick Murdock

Rick Murdock
CEO & Co-Founder
Autovol

See Presentation >

heather 500x500

Heather Packard
Professional & Workforce Development Director
Modular Building Institute

See Presentation >

Amanda Pederson

Amanda Pederson
Project Manager
DJR Architecture

See Presentation >

Shanti Pless

Shanti Pless
Senior Building Energy Research Engineer
NREL

See Presentation >

 

Amr Raafat

Amr Raafat
Chief Innovation Officer
Windover Construction

See Presentation >

 

Scott Remick 500 x 500

Scott Remick
National Design Manager
84 Lumber

See Presentation >

 

photo credit: Maggie Janik
photo credit: Maggie Janik

Wolfgang Rieder
CEO
Rieder Group

See Presentation >

Juan Pablo Rudoni

Juan Pablo Rudoni
President
ECOSAN S.A.

See Presentation >

 

Screenshot (342)

Deanna Savage
Vice President of Construction
Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. (POAH)

See Presentation >

Casey Savlov HeadShot

Casey Savlov
Executive Vice President
Vita Industrial

See Presentation >

Derek Scarbro

Derek Scarbro
Director
Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center

See Presentation >

Brandon Searle

Brandon Searle
Director, Innovation and Operations
University of New Brunswick Off-Site Construction Research Centre

See Presentation >

Dyci Sfregola

Dyci Sfregola *
CEO & Founder
New Gen Architects

See Presentation >

BenjiShin3x3

Benji Shin
CEO
Zenerate

See Presentation >

Screenshot (340)

Dave Sikora
Business Development Director
Modular Building Institute

See Presentation >

Daniel Small_shoulders up_000e6573af5-1d6f-4cc4-ace2-00bf0e306265-4

Daniel Small
Founder & CEO 
Da Vinci Consulting

See Presentation >

Julia Sullivan

Julia Sullivan
Sustainable Buildings Researcher III
NREL

See Presentation >

Stacy Tanner teams headshot 10.31.22

Stacy Tanner
Vice President of Business Development
MODLOGIQ

See Presentation >

tarlton

Mark Tarlton
Senior Director of Facility Planning & Construction
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth

See Presentation >

Prof Pic Telah Taylor

Telah Taylor, MHA, FACHE
Vice President of Construction
Memorial Health System

See Presentation >

MatthewThompson3x3

Matthew Thompson
Analytics Lead
Zenerate

See Presentation >

Heather Wallace

Heather Wallace
Communications Director
Momentum Innovation Group

See Presentation >

headshot

Ewelina Wozniak-Szpakiewicz *
CEO
DMDmodular p.s.a.

See Presentation >

Bruna 500 x 500

Bruna Xavier
International Business Manager 
CMC Módulos

See Presentation >

JeremyZimman

Jeremy Zimman
Director of Marketing Holon Modular Building Systems, BROAD U.S.A

See Presentation >

Presentations

Spanning all four days of the conference, attendees can choose from dozens of educational breakout sessions covering six distinct aspects of the commercial modular construction industry. 

Design, Build, Install

Join these sessions to learn about innovative approaches and techniques across the design, build, and install phases of commercial modular construction.  

 

A Practical Guide for Embarking on Your Industrialized Construction Journey: Case Studies From Affordable Housing, Academic, and Life Sciences

Amr Raafat | Chief Innovation Officer | Windover Construction

This session will explore case studies of significant time and cost savings achieved through innovative prefabrication solutions across a wide range of modular construction project types (e.g., academic, multifamily housing, and life sciences) where the balance between high-quality construction and operational efficiency is critical for project success.

Gain insights into practical steps for integrating prefabrication into existing workflows, spanning from Building Information Modeling (BIM) to Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) and beyond. Discover the power of data-driven preconstruction planning in optimizing prefabrication processes.

 

Bringing a Single-Unit Restaurant to Market with Modular Design: Opportunities, Challenges, and Lessons Learned

Jesse Goldman | Principal Architect | CSHQA Architects
Daniel Gelatt | Director of Business Development & Field Operations | Safe & Green Holdings Corp.

This session will explore a case study of bringing a single-unit quick service restaurant (QSR) with a drive-through to market. Use of a super-wide module, creative planning for parapets and signage, meticulous coordination, and a client's commitment to have as much work produced offsite in the factory as possible were important ingredients in the project’s success.

Find out how food was served just weeks after foundations were completed onsite and discover the challenges and lessons learned in the process.

 

Maximizing Prefab Efficiency: Integrating MEP Components into Panelized & Volumetric Systems

Stuart Cameron | Director & MMC Lead | CES Group

Significant improvements to the quality, speed, and sustainability of projects can be made through the application of modern methods of construction combined with digital integration. Using Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) and modular mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) in projects can help stakeholders understand what work is better manufactured together versus prefabricated separately and integrated in the field, pushing the boundaries of consideration of MEP from an installation to a prioritized product.

Join this session to learn how to achieve stakeholder buy-in when considering structural and MEP integration, the logistical complexities of bringing another trade into your facility, and lessons learned from completed projects.

 

Modular Design: Building Hope in a Housing Crisis

Matthew Laase, AIA NCARB | Principal | Jackson Main Architecture

We are in the midst of a perfect storm, where the lack of affordable and attainable housing is reaching critical levels. This presentation offers a fresh perspective, exploring solutions through modular building strategies and showcasing how this approach alters the decision-making process, much like the transformative shift to Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Attendees will discover the efficiency of pre-approved modular components, leading to significant cost savings while maintaining quality control. Prepare to be inspired by captivating case studies that aren't just projects but rather stories of innovation from delivering workforce housing on compact sites to orchestrating ambitious large-scale, mixed-use projects featuring over 300 units.

In a time when the housing crisis is at its peak, our industry needs disruptive processes on a mainstream scale. Modular housing design can be the key that empowers the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry to make a difference. It's all about unlocking efficiency, embracing repeatability, and harnessing flexibility to address these challenges head-on.

 

Opening the Playbook on Modular Design

Dean Dalvit | Principal | Evstudio

Join this session for an in-depth review of essential design strategies and requirements for modular projects, opportunities for standardizing designs to serve all stakeholders in offsite construction, and case-based critical do's and don'ts for each phase of architecture and engineering to ensure a successful design for permitting as well as manufacturing and field construction is achieved.

This session is for anyone just starting out in modular development as well as seasoned industry veterans with an objective to help advance and innovate the marriage of offsite construction techniques with the traditional process of design, permitting, and field construction. Immediately actionable digital resources will be shared during this session.

Permanent Modular Hospitals: It’s Only the Beginning

Stacy Tanner | Vice President of Business Development | MODLOGIQ
Bob Gesing, AIA | Principal | MIND (Medical Innovations Development)
Mark Molen | Principal | MIND (Medical Innovations Development)
Telah Taylor | MHA, FACHE | Vice President of Construction | Memorial Health System
Kevin Hudson | Director of Facilities | Memorial Health System
Scott Heckel | Director of Operations | MODLOGIQ

Modular construction can and has solved even the largest and most complex building challenges. Join this session to learn from a panel of experts about the evolving future of healthcare construction.

Plans, Principles, and Process

Michael Hough | Founder | MJH Structural Engineers

This session will outline the volumetric modular process from architectural plans through to set and installation of modules onsite. The flexibility and limitations of modular solutions will be identified and outlined in relation to building layouts and maximizing the offsite elements of the construction process.

MJH Structural Engineers have completed modular buildings ranging from single story to 50 stories. Learn about efficiencies achieved across the entire process through delivered project case studies including College Road, Croyden.

 

Productization for Manufacturers in Construction

Karun Chakravarthy | Expert Business Consultant, Architecture, Engineering & Construction | Dassault Systemes
Michael Ellis | NAM Infastructure, AEC & PS Technical Executive Senior Specialist | Dassault Systemes

The construction industry is quickly realizing how productization achieves universal business goals more effectively than either design-for-fabrication or prefabrication. Manufacturers who can engineer and fabricate product systems are realizing greater profitability, velocity, and sustainability—all while offering bespoke solutions.

Join this session to learn about a disruptive approach that goes beyond building information modeling (BIM)/virtual design and construction (VDC) to an engineered-to-order (ETO) method combined with product data management (PDM) and systems engineering to drive early bill of materials (BOM) and a generative configured digital mock-up, all geared to minimize design engineering complexity.

The Key to Modular Success

Anthony Frost | President | TDK Management Co.

Join this session to learn how CoPlace Logan, one of the first significant multifamily shipping container-based projects in San Diego, CA, was accomplished and the challenges the project team faced.

A detailed, illustrative case study will demonstrate how this 3-story, 21-unit project required the team to overcome numerous obstacles, including site relocation and redesign, permitting issues and delays, onsite contaminated soils discovery and removals, module manufacturing issues, COVID-19-related issues, and local crime and drug issues.

The Logistics Behind Building 26 Stories in 5 Days

Jeremy Zimman | Director of Marketing | Holon Modular Building Systems, BROAD U.S.A.

Modular construction is a remedy to the long and unpredictable project cycles of site-built buildings. However, the industry must reach industrial scale – through large-scale, streamlined production and investment in automation – to supply units quickly and to have a meaningful impact in addressing the critical housing shortage.

Join this session to learn how a 26 story, 202-unit residential tower was erected in just 5 days through highly automated production, an optimized project flow and logistics chain, and use of a stainless-steel framed building system.

Development Opportunities

Join these sessions to learn about practical approaches owners, developers, general contractors, and lenders are using to spur development within a variety of commercial building markets.  

 

Building Deconstructed: How to Transform a Siloed Industry (AEC) into Doing More with Less, Beautifully

Chris Giattina | Founder & CEO | Blox, LLC.

Typical design, manufacturing, and construction approaches within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry are siloed. New rules of engagement are needed to ensure the industry can produce better buildings faster and with less waste.

Join this session to learn how the Design Manufacture Construct (DMC) ecosystem helped one integrated manufacturer build aggregate demand and create continuous flow while delivering healthcare buildings at scale.

 

Industrialized Modular Construction: A Fast, Effective, Sustainable, and Quality Design Response to Urgent Hospital Needs

Pablo Domecq | Technical Representative | ECOSAN S.A.
Juan Pablo Rudoni | President | ECOSAN S.A.

This session will explore how use of an industrialized modular construction process can facilitate an effective, adaptable, and globally replicable model for building healthcare facilities.

Learn how the project team accomplished the build of 64 hospitals across Argentina within 3 years. Case studies demonstrate the geographical challenges of building in remote and isolated areas as well as densely built urban zones and how the team was able to contend with extreme weather conditions – from temperatures below -4°F and winds exceeding 43 miles/hr to seismic zones with altitudes over 13,000 feet and areas with scorching climates and constant rainfall.

 

Lessons Learned Post-Completion: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth ER Addition

Jim Gabriel | President & CEO | MODLOGIQ
John Buongiorno | Vice President, Modular Division | Axis Construction
Brent Doucette | Business Development Manager, Modular Division | Axis Construction
Mark Tarlton | Senior Director of Facility Planning & Construction | Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth

Offsite modular construction for healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors of construction. 2023 World of Modular included a session highlighting Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth’s journey to utilize modular construction for the first time to accomplish an Emergency Room (ER) addition.

Rejoin the team in this session as they revisit the project post-completion and discuss lessons learned in the journey. Learn how well modular construction performed in the quest to minimize site and operational disruption, maximize infection control, and accelerate the construction schedule.

 

"Missing Middle" Innovation: Deeply Affordable Modular Public Housing

Dean Dovolis | Founder | DJR Architecture
Amanda Pederson | Project Manager | DJR Architecture

Is it possible to provide deeply affordable “missing middle” housing using innovative building technologies? This was the question the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) sought to answer in their 2021 scattered sites request for proposal (RFP), spurred by the City of Minneapolis’s groundbreaking 2040 plan, which enabled historic density in areas previously restricted to single family zoning.

This session will highlight the unforeseen challenges in project delivery and demonstrate how the blending of innovative zoning, design, building technology, and financing led to the creation of 84 affordable modular housing units on 16 sites spanning across the City of Minneapolis. This single-phase project constructed 130,000 square feet of housing in just 13 months and can serve as a model for providing transformative change in the form of modular, sustainable affordable housing in communities across the United States.

 

Modular Factory Equipment Options: A European Perspective

Simon Gledhill | CEO | Dodd Modular Limited

This presentation will help attendees understand the issues involved in the selection and development of manufacturing options for modular factories, including framing, screwing, sheathing, box build, and assembly lines. It will showcase European market examples, from basic to fully-automated systems.

 

Systems Built Housing for Attainability: Productization of Construction

Sean Brown | Vice President of Factory Operations | Fading West

This session explores how applying systems-built thinking can create a viable path for housing attainability. To get different results, we must begin to think and act differently - like Henry Ford, Toyota, and the manufacturing and agricultural industries.

We must change our way of thinking and focus on how to productize housing. From design to materials selection to set sequence to manufacturing, systems-built housing enables cost control, repeatability, and standardization. Efficiency, quality and architectural interest is achievable at an attainable price point.

 

The Modular Data Center Revolution - from Design and Development to Deployment

Ron Mann | Sr Vice President, Modular | Graywolf

The global modular data center market is expected to increase a mind-boggling USD 55.4 billion by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.8%. Key growth drivers include the need for customized, scalable, and energy-efficient data centers, and the speed with which data centers need to be constructed demands an aggressive schedule.

Join this session to learn about the evolution of modular data center design, development, and deployment, including applications and drivers, industry and global market trends, and examples of efficiencies achieved through successfully delivered projects.

Government/ Regulatory Affairs

Join these sessions to learn about government updates happening across the modular construction industry.

Advancing Off-Site Through Standards and Regulatory Consistency

Ryan M. Colker, J.D., CAE | Vice President, Innovation | International Code Council

Efficiency of process drives a lot of the benefit from off-site construction. However, a diversity of regulatory approaches can cut into that efficiency—particularly for manufacturers who intend to serve multiple markets.

Join this session to learn how standards and guidelines developed by the International Code Council and Modular Building Institute are helping address these challenges as well as practical ways manufacturers and others interested in addressing building industry and societal challenges can help further their adoption.

Colorado Creates New Modular Initiatives and Funding to Support Affordable Housing

Mo Miskell | Deputy Director, Division of Housing | Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Sam Albrecht | Director, Office of Regulatory Oversight | Colorado Department of Local Affairs

Colorado House Bill 22-1282 was passed in early 2022 to create an "Innovative Housing Incentive Program" to help address the housing shortage by supporting the development and expansion of the state's innovative housing manufacturing business. The program launched in 2023 and includes two funding mechanisms: a working capital and per-unit incentive grant, and a factory loan. $40 million is dedicated to the program.

In November 2022, Colorado voters passed Proposition 123, a ballot measure authorizing the state to retain money from existing state tax revenue to support affordable housing investment. One of the two funds that was established includes loans to support the creation or preservation of modular and factory build manufacturers. The first round of applications closed on November 2, 2023. Join this session to learn more about the program and the
first awards.

MBI Government Affairs Update

Jon Hannah-Spacagna | Government Affairs Director | Modular Building Institute
Jennifer Harper | Head, L&E Government Contracts Group | Squire Patton Boggs

MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna, will provide an update on issues and opportunities MBI is focused on for 2024. Jon will be joined Jennifer Harper, a member of MBI’s retained DC lobbying team, who will provide details on their work to advocate for the industry with members of Congress and federal agencies.

Managing Your Business

Join these sessions to learn techniques and practices that can improve the efficiency, longevity, profitability, and culture of your organization. 

 

Avoiding the Hidden Legal Dangers of Using AI, Robotics, and Advanced Technologies in Modular Construction

Ronald D. Ciotti | Partner | Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP
Wolfgang Rieder | CEO | Rieder Group

The use of AI, robotics, and advanced technologies have exploded in the modular construction industry across manufacturing processes and construction projects. While these innovations can bring tremendous benefits, their use can also expose companies to legal risk.

Join this session to understand and learn how to identify the legal risks and exposures generated by the use of these innovations along with practical ways to mitigate or minimize these risks through the proper use of contract documents, processes, and techniques.

 

Blueprint for Revolution Part 1: Laying the Foundation - The Case for a Manufacturing Mindset in Modular Construction

Daniel Small | Founder & CEO | Da Vinci Consulting

This dynamic session will explore the shift from traditional construction to a manufacturing mindset in modular construction, using engaging examples and discussion to lay the foundation for this essential shift.

Attendees will quickly grasp the inefficiencies of conventional methods and the benefits of Lean manufacturing principles, including process optimization, and will be prepared for the practical applications in Part 2. Lean offsite manufacturing expert and consultant, Daniel Small, brings over two decades of field experience, insights from mechanical engineering, business acumen, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

 

Blueprint for Revolution Part 2: Building the Future - Implementing Manufacturing Principles in Modular Construction

Daniel Small | Founder & CEO | Da Vinci Consulting

This interactive session, a follow up from Part 1, will focus on applying Lean manufacturing techniques in modular construction through practical exercises and real-world scenarios, emphasizing waste reduction and the Jobs-To-Be-Done framework.

Attendees will be equipped with actionable strategies for enhancing efficiency and customer-centric innovation in their practices. Lean offsite manufacturing expert and consultant, Daniel Small, brings over two decades of field experience, insights from mechanical engineering, business acumen, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

 

Cover Your Assets! Insurance Tips, Tricks, and Traps for Offsite Construction

Jevon C. Bindman | Partner | Maslon LLP

The insurance industry is constantly evolving, and businesses who fail to update their insurance practices may end up with uncovered or under-covered claims. How can you best manage risk and ensure proper insurance coverage for modular construction operations?

Join this session to learn about common insurance policies and the anatomy of each, insurance considerations specific to offsite construction, and best practices for ensuring proper coverage on projects and operations.

 

Exploring the Offsite Construction Media Landscape

John McMullen, PCM | Marketing Director | MBI (moderator)
Dave Barista | Editorial Director | Building Design + Construction
Dave Cooper | Founder, Host | Dave Cooper LIVE
Audree Grubesic | Founder | OffSiteDirt.com
Steve Ladurantaye | VP of Content | Zonda Media

As the offsite and modular construction industries have flourished in recent years, so too has the media coverage of those industries. Interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos—both in-house and professionally-produced—are everywhere. But what makes for compelling, high-return on investment (ROI) content? How is such content created and leveraged? And how can companies and professionals across the industry best position themselves to earn media exposure and reach their target audiences?

Join this panel discussion, featuring leaders and influencers from across the offsite industry’s digital media spectrum, as they dive into the current landscape of offsite construction media and explore what content producers are looking for when it comes to creating good stories for their platforms.

 

Marketing and Business Development within MBI (and the Industry At-Large): A Roundtable Discussion

Dave Sikora | Business Development Director | MBI
John McMullen, PCM | Marketing Director | MBI
Heather Packard | Professional & Workforce Development Director | MBI

Join this engaging roundtable discussion about new ideas and best practices for marketing and business development within MBI and the greater modular construction industry. Come armed with questions and be ready to offer your own experiences in this can't-miss exploration of modular sales and marketing tactics.

 

Modular Construction: How Do We Grow from Here?

Serena Crivellaro | Managing Director, Engineering & Construction Sector Lead | KPMG

Some high-profile failures of modular construction companies generated substantial media attention and might suggest that success and growth in this sector can be hard to attain. Additionally, higher interest rates and subdued construction activity have made it particularly difficult for high-capital expenditure (CapEx) businesses – including modular construction companies – to secure financing.

Join this session to learn strategic options modular companies can pursue to enhance their chances for growth and profitability.

 

Setting up Your Company to Profit from the Transition to Industrialized Offsite Construction (IOC)

Nolan Browne | Founding Partner | ADL Ventures
Ben Hershey | CEO | 4ward Consulting Group

The transition from onsite to industrialized offsite construction (IOC) will create winners and losers in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Long product development cycles and slow training times suggest that few companies will be nimble enough to make a swift transition.

Join this session to understand the fundamentals of developing and executing a bespoke IOC strategy, including assessment of current strengths, opportunities, and existential threats along with the operations, capabilities, and positioning required to succeed.

 

Success by the Numbers: Building the Future with the Next Generation

Sara-Ann Logan, AIA, RIBA, NOMA, IIDA | Vice President of Design | Volumetric Building Companies

Talent development in an under-represented sector of the construction industry presents challenges. Training agile, open-minded, and technologically savvy professionals requires rapid deployment, and workforce development for the trades and support teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment necessitates a different approach.

What should entry level training for manufacturing teams consist of? What might early career professional development look like for design and engineering teams? What benefits could cross training and integration for preconstruction and project management teams bring?

Join this session to gain insights on applicable new methodologies for talent development and learn how – if you can’t find talent – you can grow it.

 

The Humanity of Robotics in Offsite Modular Construction

Rick Murdock | CEO & Co-Founder | Autovol
Merrick Macomber | CEO & Founder | Modular Maven

Construction is one of the final industries to bring robotics and automation into the mix. Will robots dehumanize construction? Will they replace people? How can they best be utilized to benefit our industry?

Offsite modular construction is a good proving ground to answer the tough questions and measure the results. One modular team has discovered that success isn't based on machines or computer code. Instead, the real secret sauce is found in the human spirit and a people-first culture.

Join this session to learn how two industry visionaries, joined by a diverse team, have mixed automation with decades of modular experience into one of North America's most productive and inclusive modular companies. This session will demonstrate how people served by robots can be empowered to leave the world's chaos behind, create meaning and enjoyment at work, build fantastic careers, and leave work each day with heart-felt purpose and joy.

 

The Impact of Women in Offsite Construction

Heather Wallace | Communications Director | Momentum Innovation Group
Merrick Macomber | CEO & Founder | Modular Maven
Ewelina Wozniak-Szpakiewicz | CEO | DMD Modular p.s.a.
Dyci Sfregola | CEO & Founder | New Gen Architects
Sara-Ann Logan, AIA, RIBA, NOMA, IIDA | Vice President of Design | Volumetric Building Companies
Deanna Savage | VP of Construction | Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. (POAH)

In this panel session, a diverse group of women representing a variety of roles in offsite construction will share their personal career journeys and discuss ways to improve overall diversity within the industry.

 

The Intersection of Culture & Strategy: Where Winning Companies Live

HR Huntsman | Owner/Founder | Leader's Edge

The intersection between the “art” of human empowerment and the “science” of effective business strategy is where successful companies of the future will invest their energy and resources. Join this session to learn powerful principles and proven practices that will enable your company to thrive at this intersection, including how to attract top talent, empower emerging leaders, and create profitable business strategies.

Workforce Development for a New Generation of Construction Professionals

Nicole Jacobsen | Associate | ADL Ventures
Sara-Ann Logan, AIA, RIBA, NOMA, IIDA | Vice President of Design | Volumetric Building Companies
Ryan Blowers | Co-Founder & Head of Manufacturing | ReMo Homes
Jennifer Dewees, LEED AP | President | Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, Inc. (MCCEI)
Carmen Cruz | National Partnership Development Director | The Building Talent Foundation
Scott Remick | National Design Manager | 84 Lumber

Talent shortages and skill gaps have negatively affected the productivity of the construction workforce, with 546,000 additional workers needed in order to improve the industry’s outlook. Workforce sustainability also remains an ongoing issue within construction due to the complexity of worksites and hazardous work environments.

How do we frame industrialized construction as an attractive and lucrative career opportunity for professionals of all ages and backgrounds? Join this session to hear what it will take to upskill and diversify the existing workforce as well as recruit and train a new generation of industrialized construction professionals.

Research & Innovation

Join these sessions to learn how emerging technologies, recent academic research, and new codes and standards are underpinning and driving change in the commercial modular construction industry  

 

A Practical Guide to Waste Diversion: How Modular Can Contribute to a Zero-Waste Future

Katie Bond | Graduate Student in Systems Engineering & Construction Mngmt. | Colorado State University

The circular economy is gaining popularity, and zero-waste initiatives along with construction and demolition (C&D) waste ordinances are on the horizon in many locations. Modular manufacturers are well-positioned to sort and divert their waste from landfills with little impact on productivity. 

But where can it go? Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. This session will highlight practical examples of waste diversion as well as some of the challenges and opportunities for urban and rural environments.

 

Apprenticeships: Options & Solutions for Your Company

Derek Scarbro | Director | Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center

Carol Howerton | Workforce Development Director | Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center

Join this session to learn about a free, national apprenticeship model and skills training available for manufacturers that can help boost your company’s performance and profitability.

 

Decarbonizing the Canadian Construction Sector through Offsite

Brandon Searle | Director, Innovation and Operations | University of New Brunswick Off-Site Construction Research Centre
Joon Ha Hwang | Initiative Lead | National Research Council

The Construction Research Centre at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is addressing two of the biggest challenges facing Canada’s construction sector – decarbonization and productivity – through a new Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale.

This seven-year effort is geared to advance the construction industry and help Canada meet 2030 and 2050 net-zero emissions targets. A primary solution helping the NRC achieve these goals is the advancement of offsite construction and the research and development (R&D) necessary to increase uptake. Early projects underway include comparative studies between conventional and offsite practices, optimizing design for modular offsite construction to minimize lifecycle assessment and costing, and benchmarking the offsite construction sector’s capacity and maturity.

Join this session to learn about R&D efforts underway and provide input on ways to advance the uptake of offsite construction projects, increase productivity, and digitize the sector.

 

Quantifying the Value of Industrialized/Offsite Construction

Bruna Xavier | International Business Manager | CMC Módulos
Mohamed Al-Hussein | Professor | Hole School of Construction Engineering, University of Alberta

In comparison to traditional construction, industrialized/offsite construction can shorten project delivery time, reduce material waste and environmental impact, and improve overall quality and productivity. Despite the advantages of industrialized/offsite construction, general contractors and construction enterprises have not been swift to adapt their methods.

Join this session for an in-depth case study detailing a construction enterprise that has successfully undergone this transformation, followed by an interactive discussion on practical ways to address the challenge of selling modular and offsite construction at large to general contractors and construction enterprises.

 

Robots, AI, Oh My! Demystifying and Accelerating Industrialized Construction Work and Workforce Impacts Through Research and Skills Development

Shanti Pless | Senior Building Energy Research Engineer | NREL
Julia Sullivan | Sustainable Buildings Researcher III | NREL
Danny Combs | Founder | TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades)
Ankur Dobriyal | Director of Off-site Innovation | Module

564,000—that’s the number of construction workers the United States lacked in 2023. This is not a new or unfamiliar problem, but high interest rates, housing shortages and an aging workforce are amplifying the pressure to build faster and recruit new talent. Panelized and modular construction are often touted as a solution to this workforce challenge and have seen year-over-year increases in market share.
While research confirms industrialized construction can increase building efficiencies, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) were curious how workers are being impacted both on construction sites, at factories, and all the stages in between.

Join this session to learn about findings from NREL’s latest industrialized construction workforce study, two transformative models for workforce training, and upcoming efforts to accelerate and support the advanced building construction industry.

 

Smart Technology for Modular Buildings

Jin Ouk Choi | Associate Professor | University of Nevada, Las Vegas

New smart technologies have the potential to advance the commercial modular construction industry. Join this interactive session to learn how innovative technologies like digital twin, generative artificial intelligence (AI) design, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), dimensional quality control (QC) 3D scanning, asset tracking and real-time location systems (RTLS), blockchain and more are already shaping the future of our industry.

 

Supporting Modular Construction through Standards and Education

Khaled Habib | Principal Technical Lead, Structural & Construction | CSA Group
Andy Kwong | Product Manager | CSA Group
Sarah Chung | Project Manager, Construction & Infrastructure Standards | CSA Group

Modular construction can offer time savings in an overall project compared to traditional construction. However, delays in the inspection, permitting, and approvals processes can negate the time saved during the construction process.

Standards such as CSA A277, which specifies the procedure for certification of prefabricated modules, and CSA Z252, which provides guidance on key items for authorities, can help streamline the inspection, review, and approval process. Join this session to learn more about these standards and the training developed to educate the Canadian Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and other stakeholders in the modular construction process.

 

Waste Reduction Practices in Multifamily Construction

John Killingsworth | Associate Professor | Department of Construction Management, Colorado State University

Modular, offsite, and prefabrication practices are growing at a faster pace than traditional construction methods because these innovative solutions address concerns around workforce limitations, material supply-chain, safety, and quality. Past research efforts have typically focused on the qualitative rather than quantitative aspects of modular construction. This research gap provides an opportunity to leverage existing relationships with developer and modular communities to truly measure the quantitative benefits of offsite construction.

Colorado State University has completed a comparative study seeking to specifically measure framing material waste produced during a traditional site-built multifamily project and a modular offsite-built multifamily project. This comprehensive research outlines the significant limitations that exist in traditional building and waste management systems, and the increasing advantages that modular construction practices have in these processes. The research will provide actionable data for modular construction experts and novices alike.

Sustainable Practices

Join these sessions to learn about practices that can reduce the environmental impact of construction and tools and techniques that can improve efficiencies and profitability.  

 

Automated Feasibility Studies: Exploring Generative Design & Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Modular Multifamily Housing

Benji Shin | CEO | Zenerate
Matthew Thompson | Analytics Lead | Zenerate

Design automation tools have become vital for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The preliminary design process can be simplified, enabling the generation of hundreds of layout options in real time and swift calculation of crucial metrics like floor area ratio (FAR), rent revenue, cost, and profit.

Compelling case studies will demonstrate how generative design and artificial intelligence (AI) can transform the workflows of designers, manufacturers, consultants, and developers. Discover the future of modular construction planning and gain valuable insights into the potential of automated feasibility studies.

 

Fostering Profitable & Sustainable Growth Through Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

Dyci Sfregola | CEO & Founder | New Gen Architects

Foundational supply chain processes play a vital role in fostering profitable and sustainable growth. Taking a proactive and strategic approach to sourcing and procurement enables companies to optimize costs, ensure quality, manage risks, adapt to changing market conditions, efficiently scale operations, and foster innovation.

Join this session to learn practical ways companies within the commercial modular construction ecosystem can respond quickly to fluctuations in demand through building relationships with flexible suppliers and adopting supplier relationship management (SRM) technology.

 

Modernizing Offsite Construction Sustainably and Responsibly

Cooper Lane | Vice President of Sales | Brave Control Solutions

Modernizing offsite construction is a comprehensive undertaking that involves a combination of goal setting, process analysis, workforce considerations, automation integration, and cost evaluation It is not about adopting technology for its own sake but instead aligning technological advancements with the specific needs and goals of the offsite construction industry.

Join this session to learn how to take a strategic and holistic approach to ensuring your modernization efforts are sustainable and contribute to long-term efficiency gains.

 

Modular Construction as a Key Tool for Implementing Circular Economy Strategies

Ewelina Wozniak-Szpakiewicz | CEO | DMDmodular p.s.a.

Building construction accounts for roughly 40% of primary energy consumption, 26% of material resource utilization, and 35% of waste generation, resulting in a substantial negative environmental impact. Circularity is a solution that can significantly reduce this impact and stands as one of the foremost topics in sustainable development.

Volumetric modular construction aligns perfectly with the objectives of circularity strategies, and design plays a central role in the circularity approach. This international case-based session will explore how modular construction can fulfill these objectives through DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly), DFD (Design for Disassembly) and DFR (Design for Reuse).

 

Revolutionizing Job Site Dynamics: Elevating Productivity and Safety Through Industry-Disrupting Technologies

Casey Savlov | Executive Vice President | Vita Inclinata Technologies

In an industry where adherence to standards while also adhering to strict schedules is paramount, we're all too familiar with the impact of accidents caused by tag lines, environmental factors, or other mishaps.

This session will explore real-world examples and showcase industry-disrupting technologies that offer more effective ways to precisely manage modular loads. Discover how the implementation of innovative safety measures can directly contribute to enhanced productivity levels while safeguarding workers.

 

Strength in Unity through the Componentization of Modular

Vamsi Kumar Kotla | Co-Founder & CEO | ReMo Homes
Ryan Blowers | Co-Founder & Head of Manufacturing | ReMo Homes

Modular manufacturing is a promising tool for swift and cost-effective construction, yet it hasn't become mainstream. Componentization, utilizing prefab components sourced from the supply chain, holds potential. Industries like aerospace and medical devices rely on component suppliers to cut costs and scale production. Up to 80% of automotive components come from suppliers, reducing capital requirements, and enabling scalability through innovation and automation.

To succeed in modular construction, we must support and share prefab component suppliers, pool R&D budgets, and leverage government backing to standardize designs. Join this session to learn about holistic approaches being taken to solve some of the biggest challenges in the world.
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