We are delighted to share that many sessions from the 2024 Cogence Town Hall were captured on video. Whether you couldn’t attend the event or missed a session because two great discussions happened simultaneously, these videos are here to keep you connected.
While not all sessions were recorded, most are now available for you and your colleagues to watch at your convenience. Each title below links to its corresponding video, accompanied by a brief summary.
A panel of original Cogence Alliance Founding partners discussed why they first came together, what problems they were seeking to solve, how the organization was formed, and the impact that Cogence has made in the marketplace. Moderated by Pam Neckar, Impact Project Development
Panelists:
- Armando Francisco, Lake Erie Electric
- Phil Kerber, Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
- Paula Selvaggio, Oswald Companies
Creating a Strengths-Based Culture, Edie Ricchiuto, Link 34 Consulting
There are various methods of expanding your business, but cultivating a strengths-based culture is the most effective way to leverage your employees’ potential. This approach gives leaders a common language and tools to reinforce their dedication to the organization and create teams that are flexible enough to thrive in the present and the future.
Creating a Winning and Successful Project Team, Panel Discussion
In the Design and Construction Industry, a major element of winning future work is based upon the project team that is being proposed. Now that you have been awarded the work, it is even more important that the project team will be successful. Moderated by Jeff Loyall of Turner Construction Company, this session featured a panel of industry experts representing Owners, Architects and Construction Managers, who explored best practices and lessons learned on how to Create Winning and Successful Project Teams.
Panelists:
- Joanne Brown, Case Western Reserve University
- Cynthia Leitson, Cuyahoga Community College
- Jonathan Lusin, ikm Architecture
- Taurean Spratt, Turner Construction
Workspace Strategy: Is it where we work, or how we work? Panel Discussion
Cogence Alliance founding member, Pam Neckar of Impact Project Development, led a panel on workplace strategy. In or out of the office. Together or alone.
Topics included Employee engagement levels (Utilization rate, Turnover rate, Overtime/burnout); Winning work (New Clients, Repeat Clients and Building relationships);
And Earning Profit (Claims, Overhead, Changes to cost structure, and Learning)
Panelists:
- Jennifer Horvath, DesignGroup
- Ryan Konst, Schaefer
- Paul Schmidt, Messer Construction
Building a Better Image: Elevating the Perception of Construction Trades
This panel, moderated by Tim Linville of CEA, explored strategies to enhance public perception of careers in construction trades, with industry leaders discussing ways to combat stereotypes, showcase innovations, and emphasize the sector’s vital economic impact. The conversation covered initiatives to attract diverse talent and promote construction as a field of skilled craftsmanship and professional growth.
Panelists:
- Ken Beck, Lake Erie Electric
- Keith Laschinger, Cleveland Builds
- Steve Lawson, Shook Construction
Thursday’s Session Summaries, What Did Everyone Else Learn
This presentation provided an overview of the Day 1 breakout sessions. Session track leaders delivered concise summaries of key takeaways from each conference track. This engaging recap ensured that participants didn’t miss out on valuable insights, supporting their professional evolution and FOMO!
Panelists:
- Moderator, Jerry Klanac, PMA Consultants
- Sean McDermott, Cleveland MetroParks
- Chris Mehaffie, KLH Engineers
- Brenden Shea, Next Generation Construction
What is the BEST Project Delivery Method, Panel Discussion
The Central Ohio COGENCE chapter spent the past year evaluating four predominant project delivery methods: Construction Manager at Risk, Design-Bid, Design-Bid-Build, and Integrated Project Delivery.
The goal was to create a deliverable that identifies the unique risks associated with each method, and how to avoid those risks. A panel of representatives from each COGENCE constituent group explained the process that culminated in the deliverable, how to utilize the deliverable to consider which project delivery method is most suitable for a hypothetical project, and answered the question of whether any particular project delivery method is the best. Moderated by David Scott, Brennan Manna & Diamond.
Panelists:
- Lori Bongiorno, MA Design
- Kris Edwards, Valley Interior Systems
- Ed Keener, Korda
- Jennifer Son, The Ohio State University
- Adrienne Sraver, Barton Malow Builders
Days of Futurist Past, Jeff Appelbaum, Thompson Hine, LLP/Project Management Consultants, LLC
Imagine this Town Hall taking place 45 years ago. What would we be talking about? What were some of the issues facing the industry then, and how are they different today? What predictions were being made about the future of our industry; to what extent have they come true; and what has been the actual impact—both positive and negative? What are the implications for our future predictions?