2026 Design Conference
Risk and Practice Management
We’re pleased to invite you to our 16th Annual Design Conference hosted by American Insurance, Powered by OneDigital. This year’s program is designed for firm owners, C-suite executives, principals, senior and junior project managers, and business leaders or managers across the engineering and design industry.
The agenda delivers practical insights to help firms better manage risk, navigate today’s challenges, hone in new talent and leadership skills all while supporting sustainable business growth.
The agenda delivers practical insights to help firms better manage risk, navigate today’s challenges, hone in new talent and leadership skills all while supporting sustainable business growth.
COST
$95 per person
Lunch is included with your ticket.
Lunch is included with your ticket.
continuing education
Design Conference is eligible to qualify for 4 learning units from AIA/CES and 4 Professional Development Hours (PDHs). The event is also pending approval for SHRM and HRCI credits.
Where
The Little America Hotel
Ballroom AB
500 Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Ballroom AB
500 Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
When
Thursday,
March 19, 2026
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
March 19, 2026
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Schedule
7:30 AM
Registration & Sign-In
8:00 AM
Welcome Remarks
8:10 AM
Profitability, Profit Centers and Strategic Planning: What to Drive, Cut and Do.
Dave Burstein, P.E. Director | Senior Consultant, PSMJ Resources
Profitability doesn’t improve by accident, it improves when leaders know what to measure and what to change. In this two-part session, PSMJ shares the three core drivers that determine A/E firm profitability and the latest survey data to help you benchmark exactly where you’re winning and where you’re leaving margin on the table.
You’ll then tackle the hidden costs of profit centers and how they can undermine collaboration, staffing, and decision-making, plus proven alternatives that keep leaders accountable without fragmenting the business. Wrap up with pragmatic guidance to make strategic planning drive alignment and execution, not just a document.
You’ll then tackle the hidden costs of profit centers and how they can undermine collaboration, staffing, and decision-making, plus proven alternatives that keep leaders accountable without fragmenting the business. Wrap up with pragmatic guidance to make strategic planning drive alignment and execution, not just a document.
10:00 AM
Break
10:15 AM
The Job You’re Really In. Why leadership is now the biggest constraint to your business.
Travis Dommert, Senior HR Client Executive, OneDigital
Most leaders step into people leadership without ever being trained for it. In this engaging keynote, Travis Dommert challenges leaders to rethink the job they’re really in and why, in today’s talent market, leadership is one of the biggest drivers of business success.
Grounded in data, real-world experience, and behavioral science, the session breaks down why the “war for talent” is often a leadership problem, why motivation is overrated, and what strong leaders actually do to build trust, create clarity, and drive sustainable performance.
Grounded in data, real-world experience, and behavioral science, the session breaks down why the “war for talent” is often a leadership problem, why motivation is overrated, and what strong leaders actually do to build trust, create clarity, and drive sustainable performance.
11:00 AM
Where Projects Break: Legal Risk, Accountability, and Leadership in A/E
Moderated by: Jeff Hirst CIC, Hon, AIA, Powered by OneDigital
Panel:
Lincoln Harris, Partner, Harris Treu Stout
John Romney, Shareholder/Director, Plant Christensen & Kanell
Jeff Handy, Shareholder, Babcock Scott & Babcock
John Romney, Shareholder/Director, Plant Christensen & Kanell
Jeff Handy, Shareholder, Babcock Scott & Babcock
Most project failures don’t start with one big mistake. They start with small decisions made under pressure. In this candid panel discussion, industry leaders and legal experts examine the common inflection points where risk escalates in architecture and engineering projects. Designed for firm leaders and project decision-makers, this session offers grounded insights to help mitigate risk while still supporting growth.
12:00 PM
Lunch & Learn: Industry Trends and Market Perspective
Dave Burstein, P.E. Director | Senior Consultant, PSMJ Resources
Join us for a lunch and learn discussion focused on current trends shaping the architecture and engineering industry. We’ll share market perspective, discuss what we’re seeing across firms and projects, and explore how shifting economic, workforce, and client dynamics may influence the year ahead. Expect an open conversation with time for questions and shared insights.
1:00 PM
Closing & Final Thoughts
Speakers
Hear from experienced leaders and subject-matter experts who work closely with organizations navigating today’s most complex people, risk, and business decisions. Our speakers bring real-world perspective, practical insight, and a clear point of view grounded in what they see every day with clients and teams.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
This event is made possible with the support of our valued sponsors. We appreciate their partnership and commitment to advancing dialogue, insight, and connection across the industry.
