Communicate in Full Color

Speaker: Scott Schwefel, Author and Leadership Coach

Communicate in Full Color is centered around the Insights Discovery model, which uses four color energies to help individuals understand their communication styles and improve interpersonal interactions. Enhance self-awareness by recognizing your own communication strengths and challenges, improve teamwork and leadership through better understanding of personality dynamics and adapt communication strategies to connect more effectively with colleagues, clients and stakeholders. Gain insights to strengthen relationships by learning to appreciate and work with different personality types. With engaging storytelling and practical applications, Scott Schwefel delivers actionable insights that empower teams to communicate more effectively and drive better results in the workplace.

Think Like a Contractor: Strategies To Compete for Members’ Time

Panel: Stephanie Schmidt-Lehmann, Executive Vice President of Industry Relations and Member Value, ABC National; Chris Martinez, President, Central Electric and Chair of the ABC South Texas chapter 

Hear directly from contractors as they reveal how they leverage ABC membership, what captures their attention and how to earn their trust. Walk away with insider tips to strengthen connections, secure timely responses and position ABC staff as indispensable partners in members’ success.

Deploying an Effective Construction Field Leadership Program for Members

Speakers: Wendy Harris, Vice President of Education, ABC Ohio Valley; Cathy Tyler, Director of Workforce Development, NCCER

Effective field leadership is crucial to the success of any construction project. Helping members prepare and upskill their field leadership will have a positive impact on profitability, safety and client satisfaction. Learn how to implement a comprehensive, value-adding construction field leadership program for members. Gain the knowledge and tools necessary to deploy this type of program at your chapter.

High-Impact Health and Safety Programs

Panel: Mark Baublit, President Marksmen General Contractors, ABC South Texas Vice Chair; Leah Villarreal, Safety, Education & Apprenticeship, ABC South Texas; Samantha DeAlmeida Roman, President, ABC New Jersey

Moderator: Greg Sizemore, VP, HSE & Workforce Development, ABC National

Hear from a panel of your peers on what makes their chapter health and safety programs successful. Gain best practices to develop a high-performing health and safety program at your chapter and discover strategies to navigate obstacles that may get in the way.

Communicating With Members: Choosing the Effective Way

Speaker: Scott Schwefel, Author and Leadership Coach

If you are tired of no responses and want to increase your connections with members, attend this session and learn how to better communicate to improve your effectiveness. Find out why text and email is not the only way to make better and stronger communications with members.

Microsessions: 15-Minute Focused-Delivery Topics
Hear all four micropresentations during this hour:

The ABCs of ABC: Explaining the Acronyms
Every day, someone uses a shortcut acronym for ABC programs or government programs. In this microsession, you will learn what these acronyms mean and gain context on how to use them.

501(c)(6)/501(c)(3): What Does Tax Status Mean to My Work?
Did you know that ABC has a group tax determination? Did you know that there are restrictions on the relationships between different tax types? In this microsession, you will learn some of the basic requirements each tax status provides to stay compliant and avoid legal conflicts.

Chapter Events Reimagined
Interested in hearing about events that wow at other chapters? In this rapid-fire microsession, chapters are encouraged to share their top three chapter events.

How Should You Really Use Your Time: 5 Keys To Controlling Your Workday
Discover practical strategies to reclaim control of your day and focus on what truly matters. Learn five proven keys to streamline tasks and boost productivity.

Marketing and Events Magic: Peer-to-Peer Power Hour

Ready to spark fresh ideas and tackle event marketing like a pro? This collaborative session brings marketing and events gurus together to share creative solutions, swap best practices and brainstorm strategies that truly engage members. Bring your challenges, success stories and big ideas—leave with actionable insights and inspiration to take your events to the next level!

Membership Professionals Campfire Session

Gather ’round the campfire for an informal peer-to-peer session where membership professionals can share their best practices, success stories and valuable lessons learned. This relaxed, open-forum discussion will allow you to connect with peers, exchange ideas and dive into real-world strategies that are driving results in member recruitment, engagement and retention.

Peer to Peer by Job Function—Education Professionals

Learning from peers who are facing the same challenges you are is a powerful and time-tested strategy for personal development. You’ll be paired with chapters employees who are subject matter experts in your job function. Bring your best ideas, examples and challenges to share!

Peer to Peer by Job Function—Executive

Join this session for chapter executives and work with fellow leaders and experts to share strategies and tackle challenges. Bring your ideas, share your experiences, and leave with practical insights to boost your chapter's performance and improve your leadership skills.

AMS Sessions: The Next Generation of CHAD (Chapter Access Database)

Speakers: Cassie Edmonds, Business Analyst, ABC National; PJ Piesko, Senior Business Analyst, Orases; Mike Swierzbinski, Director of Engineering, Orases; Kim Trautman, Database Trainer, ABC National

ABC National continues to collaborate with its developer to build a new customized database/AMS for its chapters. Attend this session to learn more about the development schedule, see demos of the new system and provide feedback.

Websites That Wow: Tips for Compliance and Performance

Speaker: Taylor Larkin, Web Developer II, ABC National

Learn how to take your chapter’s website from good to great with tips on accessibility, branding, functionality and analytics for success. This session dives into hyperlinking rules, ADA-compliant color contrast, image optimization, SEO basics, font standards, ad placement strategies and analytics tracking. Gain tips on free tools and support available through ABC National and actionable insights to maintain a site that wows your audience while staying compliant as well as increasing visibility and web traffic to your site.

Cultivating a Member Workforce Pipeline With the Coalition on Adult Basic Education

Speaker: Rob Moore, Education & Workforce Specialist, COABE; Kaylene Smith, Senior Workforce Development Manager, NCCER; Cathy Tyler, Director of Workforce Development, NCCER

Creating a workforce pipeline is critical to address the continued workforce shortage. During this session you will learn how to engage with COABE to gain access to work-ready adults for your members and how to partner with COABE as a resource to deliver trade education for those adults just beginning their journey.

Building Strong Partnerships: How To Create a Successful Chapter Sponsorship Program

Speakers: Kelli Cagle, Director of Membership Development and Marketing, ABC New Orleans Bayou; Cathy Geiger, Director of Marketing and Community Affairs, ABC Greater Michigan

Hear from chapters that are successful with member participation and revenue growth through sponsorship programs. Whether you call it a member value program, an annual sponsorship program or other name, these programs provide significant revenue to support chapter activities and solidify members’ commitment to events and activities throughout the year with a single transaction.

Bridging the Gap: Leveraging National Government Affairs Resources

Speakers: Chris Vaughn, Manager, Legislative Affairs, ABC National; Kristen Swearingen, Vice President, Legislative & Political Affairs, ABC National

Take your chapter’s advocacy efforts to the next level! This session reveals the powerful tools, resources and support available from the national government affairs team. Learn how to keep your members informed, engaged and ready to take action on key issues. Discover strategies to turn national efforts into local impact and drive meaningful change in legislation that supports merit shop construction.

Boosting Membership with the ABC Retirement & Savings Plan

Speakers: Larry Crocker, Fiduciary Consulting Group Inc.

Learn how the ABC Retirement & Savings Plan delivers significant value, savings and protection to ABC chapters and members. Find out how the plan is driving recruitment, retention and members’ financial security. Discover insights into leveraging the plan’s flexible design, reducing liability and taking advantage of auto-enrollment, profit-sharing and Roth 401(k) options. Explore proven and practical strategies for streamlining benefits management that empower members to achieve a competitive edge.

VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in Construction

Speakers: Haley Moyers, Director, Workforce Programs & Initiatives, ABC National; Jarrell Jackson, Director, National Craft Championships and Construction Workforce Awards, ABC National

The VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in Construction training program is designed to help construction workplaces appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue and critical thinking about workplace mental health changes. This training also builds a business case for suicide prevention while promoting help-seeking and help-giving behaviors. After the training, participants should feel knowledgeable about suicide prevention, confident talking about suicide and getting help and likely to apply what they learned.

AMS Sessions: The Next Generation of CHAD (Chapter Access Database)

Speakers: Cassie Edmonds, Business Analyst, ABC National; PJ Piesko, Senior Business Analyst, Orases; Mike Swierzbinski, Director of Engineering, Orases; Kim Trautman, Database Trainer, ABC National

ABC National continues to collaborate with its developer to build a new customized database/AMS for its chapters. Learn more about the development schedule, see demos of the new system and provide feedback.

A Day in the Life of a Chapter President

Speakers: Samantha DeAlmeida Roman, President, ABC New Jersey; Bill Roachell, President, ABC Arkansas; Crystal Smith, President, ABC Central Texas

Moderator: John Smaligo, President, ABC Oklahoma

Have you ever wondered what your chapter president does day to day? This session will explore the varied schedules, long list of responsibilities and challenges that chapter presidents face in leading an ABC chapter. As chapter staff, learn what your boss must focus on to keep a chapter moving forward and how they manage priorities.

Finding and Keeping Instructors

Speakers: Randy Doxzon, Director of Workforce Development & Apprenticeship Resources, ABC Keystone; Marissa Downs, Director of Education, ABC Southeastern Michigan; Ginny Shindelar, VP of Education & Training, ABC Iowa

Part-time instructors have been the mainstay of chapters for years. How do you find those instructors and where do they come from? What are the advantages of hiring full-time instructors and what are the costs and benefits? Explore the advantages of each and discuss best practices in recruiting instructors.

Freshly Baked: New Approaches to Old Topics

Speakers: Marlena Booth, Director of Membership, ABC Southeastern Michigan

Discover new ways to elevate your own membership program. Join us for this interactive panel session where you can tap into the collective wisdom of some of the most innovative membership professionals in ABC. Through real-world examples and candid discussions, experienced membership directors will highlight fresh ideas for member recruitment, engagement and retention, as well as creative solutions to the challenges they have faced.

Exploring ABC Apprenticeship Programs and Debunking the Top 10 ERISA Myths

Speakers: John Mielke, Senior Director of Apprenticeship, ABC National

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and debunk the top 10 most common myths. This session aims to highlight and clarify common misunderstandings related to the administration of chapter apprenticeship and training programs.

Digital Marketing Demystified: Unlocking Tools and Tactics
Speakers: Anna Cowart, Director of Business Development, Feathr; Chrissy Long, Marketing & Communications Manager, ABC Wisconsin; Derrick Holt, Senior Manager, Digital Marketing, ABC National; Kristi Pronovost, Director, Marketing & Brand Strategy, ABC National

Get ready to conquer digital marketing with confidence! This session will unveil the secrets of SEO, analytics and ads, making them easy to understand and fun to apply. Whether you’re promoting events, growing membership or driving engagement, you’ll gain practical tools and tips to level up your strategy—without techy jargon or headaches. Bonus: insider tricks to make your digital campaigns shine!

Telling the ABC Story

Speakers: Sally Singer, Executive Vice President, ABC Oklahoma; Kristen Swearingen, Vice President, Legislative & Political Affairs, ABC National; Erika Walter, Director, Media Relations, ABC National

How do you communicate the ABC story? When discussing ABC with public officials, the media or a new prospect, there are key points that you should include. In this session you will hear from people whose business it is to provide articulate messages about ABC and successful talking points that will resonate with prospects, elected officials and the general public.

Running a Productive Committee Meeting

This session with equip you with practical strategies and actionable techniques to run highly productive meetings. Learn about committee agendas that drive attendance, effective time management and proper techniques for committee meeting minutes.

Leveraging National Communications and Marketing Assets for Chapter Success

Speakers: Kristi Pronovost, Director, Marketing & Brand Strategy, ABC National; Erika Walter, Director, Media Relations, ABC National

Discover resources available at your fingertips, through a phone call, email or online, that can help support your efforts to quickly and efficiently communicate with the public, media and members to more effectively share the mission and ROI of membership with ABC. Whether you are looking to boost media relations, promote programs, engage the public with ABC or all the above, this session will provide you with time-saving strategy tips and best practices to boost your chapter presence.

Best Chapter Practices in Management Education and Career Development

Members tell us they want us to help them run their companies better. Daily, many of our chapters do this by providing career development programs and management education with a broad curriculum. These chapters have increased non-dues revenue and enhanced member satisfaction. In this session, learn how your chapter can get to the next level.

Culture Creators: Boosting Connections With Contractors

Speakers: Christi Zimmerman, Vice President, ABC New Mexico; Chris Abel, Vice President, ABC Connecticut; Greg DeHaas, Vice President of Chapter Services, ABC Chesapeake Shores; Jen Beach, Membership Director, ABC New Hampshire/Vermont

A panel of proven membership leaders will explore the essential components of building a strong chapter culture that fosters meaningful connections with members and drives sustained engagement. Learn how to create an inclusive environment that resonates with your members, ensuring they feel valued and motivated to stay involved. Get the tools and insights you need to take your membership experience to the next level.

How To Recruit, Engage and Retain Volunteers

Speakers: Sally Singer, Executive Vice President, ABC Oklahoma; Wendy Novak, President, ABC Western Washington

Every interaction a volunteer has with your chapter matters. Learn about the volunteer lifecycle, including how to get the volunteers that you need, leverage their skill sets and keep them coming back.

Square Peg in a Round Hole. Basic Concepts Chapter Staff Should Understand About Merit Shop Contractors and Prevailing Wage

Speakers: John Mielke, Senior Director of Apprenticeship, ABC National

Develop familiarity with the key concepts and implications of the Davis-Bacon Act and similar state prevailing wage laws. Participants will gain an understanding of how these laws impact the typical ABC member, including challenges they face and importance of these regulations in the construction industry.

Design. Engage. Convert. Mastering Social and Email Strategies

Speakers: Grace Miller, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, ABC Carolinas; Derrick Holt, Senior Manager, Digital Marketing, ABC National; Kristi Pronovost, Director, Marketing & Brand Strategy, ABC National

Elevate your marketing game with essential tactics across social and email channels. Learn to craft stunning graphics using Canva, target audiences for enhanced email conversions and build social media campaigns that boost engagement. Discover actionable strategies—from AI design hacks to scroll-stopping posts—that drive results and build lasting connections, no matter your experience level.

Use of Technology in Education

Speaker: Patrick Scarpati, Director of Construction Technology and Innovation, ABC National

Technology is reshaping how students, apprentices and experienced professionals gain practical knowledge and prepare for careers in construction. Learn about technologies on and off the construction site that can be used in ABC’s education programs. Attendees will examine how tools like immersive reality, drones, 3D modeling and smart construction platforms are being used to create interactive learning environments, hands-on training modules and real-time project simulations.

Awesome Onboarding

A panel of top membership directors will share the art of creating an onboarding experience that not only welcomes new members but sets them up for long-term success and engagement. This session will show you how to craft a seamless, impactful onboarding process that leaves new members feeling excited and empowered.

Best Chapter Emerging Leader/Next Generation Programs

Engaging with the next generation of company leaders that will become your leaders starts now. Learn from experienced staff about their successful young professional programs who will provide takeaways to supercharge your chapter’s young leader program.

The Next Generation of Craft Workers—Points of Entry

Panel: Theresa Cravey, Director of Education, ABC Texas Gulf Coast; Greta Schouman, Vice President, Education Trust, ABC New Mexico; Kelly Tourdot, President, ABC Wisconsin; Matthew Waltman, Director of Education & Workforce Development, ABC Western PA


Where and how do chapters find and entice the next generation of craft workers? Hear from chapters that talk about the successes they are having with different entry points into the construction industry.

What Will 2025 Bring for ABC and the Construction Industry?

Speaker: David Pugh, Bradley, ABC National Chair of the Board of Directors; Greg Sizemore, VP, HSE & Workforce Development, ABC National; Kristen Swearingen, Vice President, Legislative & Political Affairs, ABC National

Changes in the economy and government policies are moving fast. How will this affect the industry and the association? After 75 years of success, how is ABC now preparing for the future? Find out what you can do to keep abreast of changes in our world.