By ALEX AYRES
As the pace of change in the AEC (architecture/engineering/construction) industry continues to accelerate, many conferences focus on the latest tools, platforms and emerging technologies.
AECTechCon™ takes a different approach.
Now entering its third year under the AECTechCon™ name – following a decade-long run as the Design and Construction Technology Conference – the event is built around a simple but powerful idea: meaningful progress happens when people, process and technology evolve together.
“The 2026 keynote lineup reflects that philosophy, pairing thought leadership with real-world case studies to explore not just what is changing in construction, but how teams are adapting and why it matters,” says Matthew Halveland, 2026 planning committee chair. “Each day of the conference is anchored by two complementary keynote sessions. One challenges attendees to rethink leadership, culture and organizational behavior. The other grounds those ideas in tangible projects where innovation, craft and collaboration are already producing results.”
One of the conference’s thought leader keynotes, Building Human Resilience in Times of Technological Change, will be delivered by Jeff Visnic, P.E., PMP. Drawing from his experience as both an engineering leader and a certified Fearless Living Coach, Visnic explores how rapid change introduces hidden stress that can undermine safety, innovation and morale.
“His session reframes resilience as a competitive advantage, offering leaders practical insights on how recognizing and managing stress enables clearer decision-making and stronger teams,” says Halveland. “That human-centered perspective is echoed in a powerful case study from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library project in North Dakota. Presented by project leaders from Snøhetta, the session explores how ancient building methods such as rammed earth and mass timber are being reinterpreted through advanced digital modeling and fabrication.” The project, adds Halveland, demonstrates how handcrafted workmanship and technology can coexist, creating architecture rooted in place, sustainability and cultural responsibility. Together, these sessions illustrate how thoughtful leadership and intentional design can thrive amid technological change.
The second day of keynotes continues this balance between vision and execution. Andy Robert, co-founder and CEO of Slantis, presents From Machines to Ecosystems, a challenge to traditional organizational models in AEC. Robert introduces ecosystem thinking, inspired by natural systems where creativity, leadership and knowledge flow through relationships rather than rigid hierarchies.
“Her talk encourages leaders to rethink how teams are structured and how innovation emerges in complex environments,” Halveland says. “That mindset comes to life in a local case study focused on the Butler Building renovation in downtown St. Louis.” This early 20th-century structure, occupying an entire city block near Union Station, underwent a comprehensive transformation into a modern multifamily development. The keynote brings together voices from across the project team – including the general contractor, owner, designer and key subcontractors, according to Halveland. “The session highlights how tools such as laser scanning, 3D coordination and 360-degree documentation supported collaboration across disciplines while preserving the character of a historic structure,” he adds.
What sets AECTechCon™ apart is not just the quality of its speakers, but the way their stories connect. The keynote sessions are designed to spark reflection and conversation, setting the tone for two days of breakout sessions that dive deeper into BIM and VDC, innovation and emerging technology, safety and workforce development, IT and infrastructure and executive leadership.
“AECTechCon™ remains intentionally user-driven, shaped by practitioners who are actively solving problems in the field, office and jobsite,” says Halveland. “The event creates neutral ground for learning, collaboration and candid discussion across roles and organizations. For AEC professionals seeking more than surface-level conversations about technology, AECTechCon™ offers a forum that recognizes the human side of progress. It is a place to learn from peers, challenge assumptions, and explore how innovation can be applied thoughtfully and sustainably across the industry.”
Registration and full conference details are available at the AECTechCon™ website, https://agcmo.org/aectc.