The 2024 Project Professionals Conference
Empowers Our Team
Connect, Invigorate, Educate: Building & Earth hosts the 2024 Project Professionals Conference for a three-day event focused on collaboration and professional development, relationship building and fun.
John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
At Building & Earth, we believe in the power of continual education to grow the leaders in our ranks. By broadening our individual perspectives and learning from each other, we advance individual growth and sustain our ability to serve clients.
This is more than our belief: it is a principle that we invest in.
On February 29, 2024, we hosted the 2024 Project Professionals Conference (PPC) at the Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown, to foster professional development for project management teams from every branch.
It was a milestone for our company. Though educational summits are not a new occurrence at Building & Earth, a conference of this scale and depth was the first of its kind. The 2024 PPC provided an upscale, off-site retreat, bringing together a wider range of attendees than ever before. Everyone involved in multi-discipline project management was invited, yielding a large and diverse group—over 75 attendees in total.
Educate
This three-day event packed informative sessions with teambuilding opportunities that allowed our employees to hone their abilities at every project level.
We kicked off the event with a motivating talk from Jack Darnall, a renowned General Contractor veteran and valued partner. He unpacked years of wisdom in the presentation “What Clients Expect,” ensuring our team stays well-equipped to exceed client needs.
Exemplary project managers were hand-picked to share their insights on best practices for a wide array of subjects, from meeting report turnaround times to conducting effective site visits, and other helpful sessions, including:
- “Sinkholes – What to Do When They Happen to You”
- “Taking Care of Clients in the Field”
- “Proactive Client Communication for Proposal Preparation and Delivery”
Day two featured more special guests. Experts from The Keller Group, an industry leading geotechnical firm, presented on “Ground Modification Options,” with crucial insights for project execution.
The day’s concurrent sessions tailored to each discipline (GEO and CMT) delved into technical nuances, including:
- “Geotechnical Drilling – Red Flags”
- “Special Inspections vs. Testing – Code Intent vs. Practice”
Employees embraced new approaches and volunteered to share best practices with colleagues facing similar challenges. “It was a great learning opportunity for me as a newer project manager,” remarked one attendee.
Connect
PPC 2024 provided time for employees to connect with one another over educational topics, but—importantly—it solidified key bonds. “The relationship building between offices we did in house was amazing,” one project manager said.
Bringing together teams from across the nation who often coordinate but may not often see each other, yielded unique opportunities. “I enjoyed meeting many of the people I work with and talk to regularly face to face, and the benchmark presentations were exceptional. They made me open my eyes to many things my team and I could be doing better,” remarked one conference attendee.
These connections energized our teams, reminding us of the importance of relationships to spark growth.
And it wasn’t all just business. To foster camaraderie, we hand-picked small groups for curated dinners in the evening. It proved to be the perfect way for people from different branches to mix and mingle while sharing some levity.
Between dinners and cocktail hours, the team had plenty of chances to unwind and connect. Entertainment from a professional magician and door prizes added a touch of lighthearted fun to the mix.
Invigorate
The 2024 Project Professionals Conference closed with a final feedback and wrap-up session, incorporating observations from attendees: “I enjoyed how involved everyone was in each topic and how input was gathered from all over the company. It was a much more interesting and interactive experience than just listening to one presenter the whole time,” said one conference attendee.
Pulling off an event of this scale required a rigorous effort. Raleigh Office Manager Ginger Miller was instrumental in meticulously planning the event, which was almost half a year in the making.
It was time well spent. “This kind of event only makes our company stronger. I’m proud the leadership at Building & Earth recognized the 2024 PPC was an investment in its future leaders and the health of this company as a whole. I was amazed and moved by the camaraderie generated, the information shared, and the message we all walked away with: consistent communication & relationships make us successful,” Miller said.
With the help of Support Supervisor Wilma Penick coordinating logistics and Office Manager Jodi Holt wielding her tech savvy, Miller and the entire team ensured that the 2024 PPC was a resounding success. “I was extremely proud of the planning team as well as the project managers, who took time to share their insights with one another,
said Jeff Cowen, PE, Co-founder and President of Building & Earth.
By fostering knowledge sharing, building connections, and investing in our people, we all left stronger, ready to translate new ideas into action in our everyday practice.
PPC 2024 – Where the Magic Happens!
