2024 Design-Build Conference & Expo Conference Program

The Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport, which is the world's third-largest land area and third-busiest airport for passengers and operations, with nearly 80 million passengers flying to 257 destinations each year, has embarked on a significant digitalization effort across their campus. The team behind the airport’s design and construction needed to understand the state of all their assets to make more informed decisions about how data was being captured, collected, and extracted across all stages of an asset's lifecycle which brought about the airport’s first version of their BIM standard in 2017. Join the team from DFW to learn more about the evolution of their BIM Standard, the current state of the airport’s digital twin and where they’ll go next.

Touted by Owners as a highly valuable education and networking experience, the Owners Only Forum allows open, honest discussion and provides Owner professionals the opportunity to share views, pose questions, find solutions to project delivery challenges and network with colleagues.

"Owner Advisors are not allowed in the Owners Forum unless DBIA has obtained written confirmation from the Owner that the Advisor is at the conference specifically serving as an extension of the Owner.'

Industry professionals, including consultants, are not permitted in this session.

Bestselling author Alex Banayan kicks the conference off with insights from his book "The Third Door," focusing on how breaking down barriers and overcoming fear can open new doors to success. Banayan's perspective comes from interviews with icons like Bill Gates and Maya Angelou. A renowned keynote speaker who has presented to global giants such as Apple, Google and Nike, he will share strategies that have cemented his reputation as an expert in high-performance and personal development.

April Rinne, futurist and author of "Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change," will guide attendees through eight powerful strategies to thrive -- not just survive -- in the face of constant change. As the AEC industry evolves, embracing uncertainty is critical to staying ahead. Rinne will introduce eight "superpowers" to help individuals and organizations adapt and thrive amid rapid shifts. Names one of Forbes's "50 Leading Female Futurists," Rinne's insights have guided top companies and governments around the globe.

In this insightful parody of the classic TV show "The Dating Game," we'll be flipping the script and bringing together our eligible design-builder as the "bachelor" and three unique Owners as the eager contestants. Through a series of engaging rounds, both sides will have the chance to showcase their perspective, preferences, and priorities in an effort to foster greater understanding and collaboration between these two critical stakeholders. Don’t miss out on the fun, we’ll be taking live audience questions as we work to create the perfect match.

CEO of FMI Corporation Chris Daum delivers a must-hear economic forecast for the construction industry. With market analysis and strategic insights, Daum will explore emerging trends, potential disruptions and economic factors that influence design-build. Daum's session will provide an understanding of how to navigate economic challenges and position organizations for growth. His expertise offers a critical look at what's ahead and how to plan for it.

DBIA emphasizes that the most successful design-build projects result from teams that share values, cultural compatibility, trust and an integrated project delivery mindset. With DBIA's new Position Statement "Procuring the Design-Build Team" as the basis for discussion — which advocates for prioritizing team qualifications over traditional procurement metrics like price and schedule — this session will explore various team selection methodologies, including full team selection, core team selection and the design-builder first approach. We'll also discuss common pitfalls in team selection, advising against methods such as design professional first procurement and unilateral Owner selection. Gain valuable insights at this session into how these strategies can enhance project outcomes and promote collaboration among key stakeholders.

• The future of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics
• Defining collaborative workflows and processes to connect technology
• Exploring BIM use beyond just model authoring and clash detection, such as safety, estimating, and scheduling
• Identifying KPIs in leveraging VDC
• Review needed contract language updates to influence better collaboration

• Define the value and ROI of VDC in design-build
• Illustrate the importance of bringing VDC to the table from the outset of projects
• Outline how VDC is enabling design-build professionals to better socialize with project teams to drive transparency throughout the design, construction and turnover process

The fun doesn’t stop as we take over the Longhorn Ballroom with dancing, music, games, food and drinks. With four distinct gathering areas under one roof, there will be entertainment for everyone! And here’s a fun fact: The Longhorn Ballroom is officially listed on the national Register of Historic Places.