CMAA2026 2026

Those involved in the industry should understand that in construction “time is money”. However, all too few owners, designers and construction managers understand that contractors may bank time through use of early completion schedules. If a contractor prepares an early completion schedule they create a time related contingency for themselves. And, a claims conscious contractor is also able to create potential liability for the owner.

Crystal Washington shows us how to keep moving forward during uncertain times and how to best prepare for future waves of change while avoiding common mistakes. You will look at the major ways in which technology has changed the way we learn and interact and uncover unique technology trends in our industry today.

Cassi Chandler is the FBI’s first African American Special Agent Assistant Director and the Bureau’s first female National Spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs. Through these positions, Cassi learned how to build and nurture diverse, high-performing teams and empower their success in navigating high-priority intelligence and risk matters.

A second-generation builder, Darnell grew up in awe of his father and watched him build projects that shaped lives and the world in which we live. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, Darnell worked as a MEP Coordinator and Senior Project Manager on complicated projects like the Brook Army Medical Center and housing for the 1996 Summer Olympic Village. Because of these first-hand experiences, Darnell speaks with a deep understanding of his audiences and the problems they commonly face. His passion is to transform the industry into one that is more collaborative, more relationship driven, and more fun.

The Human Exclamation Point, Tami Evans, shares innovative communication and leadership tools. She has both corporate and entrepreneurial experience and is on the Board of Directors for the National Speakers Association.

Often called the “Stand-up Economist,” keynote speaker Dr. Elliot Eisenberg uniquely specializes in making the arcana and minutiae of economics entertaining and relevant. With expertise and consultation sought-out by federal, state, and local governments and legislators, hedge funds and investment advisory groups, Eisenberg is an established authority on the national and global economy and its impact on various industries. Currently as the president, chief economist, and founder of Graphs and Laughs, LLC, he conducts studies and provides economic forecasts that are featured in daily summaries on his blog. The author of more than 85 articles, his sought-after research and opinions have been featured in leading publications including Bloomberg Business Week, Forbes and Fortune.

In September of 2015, the US Army officially opened one of the most difficult combat training courses in the world, Ranger School, to female candidates for the first time. Army Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Jaster, at that time 37 and working a great corporate job complete with first-class airfare and five-star hotel rooms, immediately signed up for the intensive, 61-day-long leadership course. Months later, sleep-deprived and carrying an 80-pound rucksack for miles on end alongside 23-year-old trainees, the wife and mother of two would reflect on one simple question: Why? This Keynote will take you through her personal story and the lessons she learned through becoming one of only three women to ever graduate the program. The presentation touches on themes of commitment, perseverance, tuning out doubt, “walking the walk,” and what leadership really means. It is an inspiring story about becoming a better leader, serving others, and, above all, understanding that only you can decide what you are capable of achieving.

As Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx created the “Smart City Challenge.” The first-of-its-kind program offered mid-sized cities around the US the opportunity to win $40 million by developing the best ideas for an integrated smart transportation system using data, applications, and technology to solve existing problems. Over 80 cities applied in the program’s first year. Secretary Foxx has a deep understanding of smart city technologies and what the American “cities of the future” will look like. Touching on rapidly-advancing technologies like autonomous cars, data analytics, the Internet of Things, connected devices sensors, drones, and Hyperloop, Sec. Foxx explains how machine learning will be used to tackle problems that have plagued public officials on both sides of the aisle for generations. Offering unparalleled insight on the effects of societal trends like job automation, demographic shifts, and the sharing economy, Sec. Foxx presents a holistic view of what mobility means—today and tomorrow.

MSNBC anchor Jonathan Capehart on his new book, "Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man's Search for Home."