Hello Cogence Partners,
Welcome to Summer!
We hope your summer is off to a great start! A sincere thank-you to everyone who joined us for the 4th Annual Northeast Ohio Clay Shoot on June 12. It was a fantastic day filled with fun, networking, and camaraderie. Check out the event highlights below!
As we wrap up a productive spring season—featuring three outstanding roundtables across all three chapters in May—we’re taking a brief break from our regular roundtable programming to enjoy a series of exclusive hard hat tours and summer networking events.
On July 16, the Central Ohio Chapter, in partnership with AGC Central Ohio, will host a tour of the North Market/Merchant Building, followed by a networking social at Novak’s Patio. Special thanks to Gilbane for serving as our tour host.
On August 6, the Northeast Ohio Chapter, in partnership with AGC Cleveland, will offer a tour of the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, followed by a social gathering at Merwin’s Wharf. Thank you to Whiting-Turner for hosting this exciting tour.
Finally, on August 13, the Southwest Ohio Chapter will tour the new Medpace 300 Building, followed by a social event at the Medpace campus. Our thanks to Skanska for hosting the tour.
Space is limited for the tours. The Central and Northeast tours are nearly full, but you may still register for the networking socials and Southwest tour/social on the Cogence Calendar. We look forward to seeing many of you at these unique project tours and networking opportunities throughout the summer!
CHAPTER ROUNDTABLES WRAP UP BEFORE SUMMER BREAK
As mentioned earlier, all three chapters hosted outstanding roundtable discussions before pausing for the summer. These sessions brought together industry professionals to share perspectives, discuss challenges, and exchange practical ideas and solutions.
Southwest Chapter Roundtable – May 14
Delegated Design in Construction: Pros, Cons, and Boundaries
Participants explored when delegated design is appropriate, who should make that determination, and the lessons learned from both successful and challenging experiences.
Click here to view a summary of the program highlights.
Northeast Chapter Roundtable – May 20
State of the Northeast Ohio AEC Industry
This multidisciplinary discussion examined current trends, opportunities, and challenges impacting the Northeast Ohio AEC industry. The session provided valuable insights that fostered a deeper understanding of the market and supported more informed decision-making among participants.
Click here to view a summary of the highlights.
Central Ohio Roundtable – May 21
Boots on the Ground: Tales from the Project Front Lines
Field leaders shared real-world perspectives on how today’s projects are communicating, collaborating, and operating in alignment with Cogence principles. The discussion highlighted practical strategies, lessons learned, and opportunities to strengthen project delivery and team coordination.
Click here to view a summary of the highlights.
Thank you to all who participated and contributed to these engaging discussions.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE 4TH ANNUAL NEO CLAY SHOOT A GREAT SUCCESS!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 4th Annual Cogence Alliance Northeast Ohio Clay Shoot and helped make it another memorable event.
The day couldn’t have been better, with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures welcoming 120 Cogence partners and guests to the beautiful Hill ‘n Dale Club in Medina. The private sportsmen’s club once again provided a spectacular setting for a day of friendly competition, networking, and fun.
We are grateful to all who attended and contributed to the event’s success. We look forward to seeing everyone again—and welcoming some new faces—at next year’s Northeast Ohio Clay Shoot on June 18, 2027.
A special thank-you to our generous sponsors, whose support helped make this event possible:
- The Ruhlin Co. (Title Sponsor)
- Lake Erie Electric (Cart Sponsor)
- Valley Interior Systems (Feed the Sportsmen Sponsor)
- Intek Construction Products (Awards Sponsor)
Raffle Basket Donors: Air Control Products, Corix/Cleveland Thermal, and Milwaukee Tool
(See here for Clay Shoot photos and Award Winners)
STRATEGIC PLAN SHAPES COGENCE’S FUTURE
In February, leaders from the Cogence National Board and all three Chapter Boards gathered in Columbus for a strategic planning session to help shape the organization’s future.
Using the Appreciative Inquiry approach, nearly 40 Cogence Partners identified organizational strengths, envisioned an aspirational future, and developed high-impact strategies to support continued growth. The session concluded with the creation of a roadmap to turn those ideas into action.
The resulting strategic plan was approved by the National Board of Directors and is organized around five key goals:
Goal 1: Maintain Excellence by Continuing Our Core Activities
Goal 2: Strengthen Relationships with Educational Institutions
Establish and foster partnerships that increase awareness of Cogence while supporting workforce development, education, and future industry talent.
Goal 3: Expand Our Geographic Reach and Influence
Goal 4: Establish an Effective Resource Development Function
Goal 5: Develop a Partner Certification and Brand Usage Strategy
To support the successful implementation of these goals, committees will be formed for each strategic initiative. If you are interested in serving on a committee and helping to shape the future of Cogence, please let me know.
Click here to view the complete Strategic Plan.
PARTNER SURVEY – WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK
The Partnership Committees from all three Cogence chapters collaborated to develop a member survey that was emailed to all Cogence Partners in May.
Your feedback is essential in helping us better understand the value you receive from your Cogence membership, the impact our programs and relationships have on your company and projects, and how we can continue to improve and better serve our partners.
If you have not yet completed the survey, we encourage you to take a few minutes to share your thoughts. Please click here to complete the survey.
Thank you for your time and for helping shape the future of Cogence.
WELCOME NEW PARTNERS!
Welcome to our new partners who recently joined Cogence Alliance:
- Robert Anderson, Anderson Aluminum Corp. (Central)
- Tasha Bailey, GPD Group (Central)
- Terry Diltz, Valley Interiors (Northeast)
- Rob Donaldson, Moody Nolan (Northeast)
- Matt Davis, Lake Erie Electric (Southwest)
- Tom Martin Jr., TH Martin (Northeast)
- Marc Montgomery, CTL Engineering (Central)
- Gary Thomas, DIRTT (Northeast)
- Adam Wolf, Karpinski Engineering (Southwest)
We look forward to working with you to improve project outcomes. Thank you for partnering with Cogence!
REGISTER NOW AND SAVE FOR THE COGENCE ALLIANCE TOWN HALL, SEPTEMBER 15-16, HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER, CLEVELAND.
Join industry professionals from across the design and construction community for two days of collaboration, insight, and innovation at the Cogence Alliance Town Hall.
Held every two years, this signature event unites owners, architects, engineers, construction managers, trade professionals and industry affiliates from across the construction sector to explore the ideas, technologies, and strategies transforming the future of project delivery.
What to Expect in 2026
- Dynamic keynote presentations featuring:
- Nic Barlage, Chief Executive Officer | Rock Entertainment Group – Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland WNBA, Cleveland Charge, Cleveland Monsters, Rock Entertainment Sports Network and Rocket Arena
- Chris Ronayne, Cuyahoga County Executive
- Thought-provoking general sessions addressing today’s biggest industry challenges and opportunities
- Engaging breakout sessions centered on the tools, resources, and collaborative culture that drive successful projects
The complete conference program will be announced soon!
Experience Cleveland
Beyond the conference program, attendees will have the opportunity to connect through memorable local events, including:
- A Cleveland Guardians baseball game
- An evening reception at the Cleveland Metroparks Sailing Center
- A special behind-the-scenes tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expansion project
Whether you’re looking to exchange ideas, discover new approaches, or strengthen industry relationships, the Town Hall offers valuable opportunities to learn and connect with peers committed to advancing project outcomes.
Registration: Register before August 17 to take advantage of discounted pricing. REGISTER HERE
Hotel Accommodations: A discounted room block is available at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, conveniently connected to the convention center. Reservations must be made by August 24.
The Walter Jones Drive Awards – Intent to Submit Deadline July 17
The Walter Jones Drive Awards celebrate outstanding examples of project collaboration and recognize individuals and teams who are elevating project delivery across the A/E/C community. These awards shine a spotlight on the critical role that teamwork, transparency, and innovation play in improving project outcomes—and they showcase the individuals and organizations who are advancing these principles in meaningful ways.
Award winners will be honored at the Cogence 2026 Town Hall and featured on the Cogence website.
The 2026 Walter Jones Drive Awards “Intent to Submit” is open until July 17. We invite project teams and partners who exemplify collaborative excellence to apply and share their achievements with the broader A/E/C community.
SEE HERE for complete details and application instructions.
Thank you again for your support of Cogence and its mission. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions for how we can best serve you and the AEC industry.
We hope to see you at an event this summer. Until then – stay cool and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Kevin Thompson, Executive Director