BuildIT was honored to convene industry leaders from throughout the United States in stunning Jackson Hole, Wyoming from November 6 – 8, 2025 for our inaugural Executive Planning Session to discuss topics which are critical to our architectural, engineering and construction industries in order to develop our ‘Roadmap for the Future.’
Referred to as ‘The Gathering’, this three day strategic planning session addressed topics such as workforce development, project funding for public works projects throughout the United States, the utilization of Alternative Project Delivery methods within the context of public/private sector projects, and winning strategies for engaging with utilities throughout the US, given the landscape of 2025 and beyond.
We were honored to have ‘top of the house’ leaders from key national AEC industry organizations lending their expertise, vision and experience to this strategic planning initiative.
The deliverable from this forward-thinking effort will be an updated 20-year Business Plan for BuildIT which includes the collaboration with businesses, professionals, tradespeople and key stakeholders who are transforming the AEC industry.
BuildIT
HONORED GUESTS
PHIL wASHINGTON
Phil Washington is Chief Executive Officer of Denver International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports. He oversees operations, strategy, and major capital programs while advancing safety, innovation, and sustainability. A transportation leader, he previously led Los Angeles Metro and Denver’s Regional Transportation District, driving large-scale infrastructure delivery and is known for collaborative, results-driven leadership across complex public systems.
ANN GRAY
Ann Gray is Past President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in London, a leading global professional body for land, property, and construction. She provides strategic leadership and advocacy for industry standards, ethics, and innovation. A respected authority in the built environment, she is recognized for collaborative leadership, governance expertise, and advancing professionalism across international markets worldwide and beyond.
ANDREA RUTLEDGE
Andrea Rutledge, is the CEO of the CMAA, the leading organization advancing the profession of program and construction management. She guides strategy, education, and advocacy for industry excellence. A respected industry leader, she is recognized for collaborative leadership, workforce development, and strengthening standards that support project delivery, professional growth, and long-term value across public and private sectors.
SUMMARY
TOPIC 1: PROJECT FUNDING
Breakout Mission: What can BuildIT do to position itself and explore new, reliable approaches to project funding — ones that can strengthen infrastructure investment, protect jobs, and shape the foundation of its 20-year strategic plan?
KEY THEMES
1. BuildIT as a Convenor and Unifier
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Creating coalitions across AEC partners
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Convening “funding working groups” in each region
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Establishing an “infrastructure caucus” of legislators, owners, and industry leaders
2. Bold, Coordinated Education Efforts
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Demystify funding for small businesses and less-experienced public agencies
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Training for agencies on funding models, prioritization, and best value
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Public education campaigns about the importance of infrastructure
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Online portals with case studies, white papers, and lessons learned
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Leveraging experts, finance leaders, and global partnerships
3. Raising Capital & Exploring New Funding Mechanisms
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BuildIT-led private equity/hedge fund, or partnerships with existing investor pools
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Connecting mega-GCs with decision makers for P3 opportunities
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Philanthropic and social-investment engagement
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“Funding-ready” strategies to help public owners avoid false starts
4. Advocacy & Storytelling
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Promoting wins and telling stories of projects using alternative funding
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Showcasing community benefits and revenue impacts
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Encouraging members to develop relationships with local policymakers 5. Best Value & Procurement Reform
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Shifting away from lowest-cost selection toward best-value models that support equity, community impact, and long-term outcomes.
TOPIC 2: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Breakout Mission: What can BuildIT do to position itself and lead collaborative approaches to workforce development — ones that attract and retain talent, bridge the skills gap, and ensure a strong, inclusive construction workforce that supports the industry’s growth over the next 20 years?
Top Voted Ideas From All Groups:
Quick Wins
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Be visible on social media: TikTok, Instagram, etc.
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Modernize local sponsorships: TED-style events, high-school-to-college outreach
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BuildIT curriculum/series on workforce topics
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Develop state-level partnerships with workforce programs
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Focus on unemployed/underemployed populations, not just youth
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Partnerships with schools (HS & colleges)
Strategic Priorities
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Leadership Academy/BuildIT Academy
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Image-transformation campaign to shift perceptions of construction
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BuildIT apprenticeship program or union model
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Highlight and publicize partners already doing workforce development well
KEY THEMES
1. Changing the Industry’s Image
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Changing how construction is perceived — especially by students, parents, and communities
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Social-media campaigns that make construction “cool again”
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Partnerships with influencers, role models, and storytellers
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Visibility at career fairs, robotics events, and youth programs
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Netflix/documentary-style series
2. Building the Infrastructure for Workforce Development
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A formal BuildIT Academy with curriculum, cohorts, and certifications
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Statewide/national partnerships with agencies, unions, pre-apprenticeship programs
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A national view of workforce work (beyond fragmented local efforts)
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Tools, guides, and SOPs for employers, counselors, and trades
3. Expanding Entry Pathways & On-Ramps
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Programs for unemployed/underemployed individuals
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Partnerships with homeless transition charities or re-entry programs
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K–12 curriculum, “career day” tours, youth robotics, Girl Scouts badges
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Scholarships and internship pipelines
4. Leveraging Data & Storytelling
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Tracking and publishing workforce data (“facts = power”)
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Sharing success stories and highlighting LGBTQ and diverse leadership stories
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Showcasing industry career mobility and income stability
5. Strengthening Partnerships
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Build alliances with unions, chambers, colleges, BRGs/ERGs
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Convene jobsite tours, mentorship models, and shared apprenticeship frameworks
TOPIC 3: Alternative Project Delivery
Breakout Mission: What can BuildIT do to position itself and champion collaborative, innovative project delivery models — ones that balance risk and reward, strengthen owner-contractor relationships, and help the industry deliver complex infrastructure projects more efficiently over the next 20 years?
Top Voted Ideas From All Groups:
Quick Wins
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Case studies: what worked, continuous learning
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Develop strategic practices for collaboration
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Educate small businesses on alternative delivery
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Political action closer to agencies than contractors
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General education on delivery models Strategic Priorities
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“Procurement is the problem.” Reform procurement • Procurement officer training program
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Knowledge-share database for small businesses
KEY THEMES
1. Fixing Procurement
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Procurement needs to be modernized
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Reduce overly burdensome requirements
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Increase best-value selection and eliminate pure low-bid bias
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Standardize RFPs/QBS expectations
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Educate contracting officers on risk allocation, collaboration, and APD
2. Education, Education, Education
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BuildIT should lead a coordinated education movement
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For owners/public agencies (delivery methods, how to make RFPs attractive)
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For small businesses (APD readiness, teaming, packaging scopes)
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For industry at large (benefits, misconceptions, cultural mindset shifts)
3. Case Studies & Knowledge Sharing
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Creation of a robust case study library
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Playbooks, best practices, and SOPs
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Shared lessons from successful PDB/CMGC/Design-Build projects
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Databases of experts and SMEs BuildIT can mobilize
4. Cross-Sector Collaboration
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BuildIT as a coalition-builder across agencies, GCs, designers, policy groups, and trades
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Connector linking small businesses with large APD teams
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Thought partner in legislative/policy influence
5. Cultural Shift Toward Collaboration
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Alternative delivery is not only a procurement method but a culture change—moving from zero-sum thinking to shared risk, shared reward, and transparency
CONCLUSION
Across all three sessions, clear themes emerged: the need for stronger education and visibility, deeper partnerships across the industry, and more modern approaches to funding, workforce development, and project delivery. The ideas and priorities captured here provide a focused direction for BuildIT’s long-term strategy and highlight the areas where collective action can create the greatest impact.
WHY JACKSON HOLE
In the years 1807 and 1808 a member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, John Colter, explored the Jackson Hole region. The purpose of the Lewis & Clark Expedition was to explore the Western United States to find a practical water route to the Pacific Ocean, establish trade relations with Native American tribes, and gather scientific information about the region’s geography, plants, animals, and climate. BuildIT’s leaders feel that the natural grandeur of the region, with the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park as our ‘backdrop,’ is the ideal setting to ‘dig into’ the abundant opportunities that lay before us as the world’s largest industry association open to all businesses including LGBT & Allied firms, professionals, tradespeople and stakeholders.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a scenic 60-mile-long valley nestled within the Teton Range. The town of Jackson is located at the valley’s southern end and serves as the area’s cultural and economic hub, while the larger Jackson Hole valley is famous for its natural beauty, wildlife, and outdoor recreation.
OUR "ARCHITECT OF IMPACT"
ANGE MATTHEWS
Ange Matthews believes leaders are genuine and that leadership is learned and earned. Her expertise and passion make her the transformative force organizations seek when they are ready for real behavioral change. She believes that every workplace can be a great workplace with strong leadership, skilled managers, high-performing teams, and engaged employees.
With over 25 years of experience spanning entrepreneurial ventures, boutique firms, Big 4 consulting, and Fortune 500 organizations, she has facilitated 100s of programs to senior leaders, managers, and teams of all sizes in a variety of industries, with extensive experience in media/advertising, construction, and technology. Before starting LeaderSauce in 2015, Ange started and ran two Human Resources consulting firms: MetaForce and HR4Entrepreneurs.
For Ange, the challenge of transforming an individual, team, or company culture isn’t just a job. It’s been her life’s purpose since first obtaining her Bachelor’s in Corporate Wellness, and continuing to grow through a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and 6 gold-standard certifications.
BuildIT will convene the 2026 ‘Gathering’ in Jackson Hole from Thursday, November 5, through Saturday, November 7, 2026. This event will, once again, gather AEC Industry leaders from across the globe for a thought provoking, in-depth, analysis and discussion of topics of key interest toward economic vitality. The issues and format will be slightly different but the impact will remain the same.
BuildIT is proud to announce that the Co-Chairs for the 2026 Gathering will be Luz Campos, Program Coordinator for the San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Vayakone Terry, Vice President at Morgner Construction Management, a certified LGBT Business Enterprise.
Agenda and logistical information regarding the 2026 Gathering will begin to be released in March of 2026. If you are interested in attending this event, we ask that you complete a very short survey so that we can capture critical information about you, your business or organization, your areas of expertise and experience.
