Amplify Education Program
Explore the schedule
We’re excited to share a first look at the Amplify A|E|C education sessions for 2026. Sessions are currently grouped by type to help you explore what’s ahead. This page will continue to be updated as the conference schedule is finalized—please check back for the latest details.
The complete schedule with all sessions, dates and time slots will be announced soon.
Authority, Culture, and You: Navigating Power Distance at Work | Janki N. DePalma, FSMPS, CPSM, LEED AP
Authority, Culture, and You: Navigating Power Distance at Work
Janki N. DePalma, FSMPS, CPSM, LEED AP
Director of Business Development
W.E. O'Neil Construction
This session examines the Power Distance Index (PDI) and its impact on how ideas, authority, and leadership are perceived within AEC firms. Designed for in-house marketing and business development professionals, the session explores how differences in comfort with hierarchy and decision-making can lead to misinterpretation, conflict, or burnout.
Data Mirrors Culture: Behind Every Metric Is a Human | Courtney Kearney, CPSM
Data Mirrors Culture: Behind Every Metric Is a Human
Courtney Kearney, CPSM
Owner/Founder
CKearney Consulting
CRM failures and bad data are rarely technology problems. They are people and culture problems. This session explores how human behavior, shared expectations, and firm-wide data culture drive the success of CRM systems and the quality of business intelligence.
B2C to AEC: Marketing Moves Worth Swiping from Consumer Brands | Tim Asimos, CPSM
B2C to AEC: Marketing Moves Worth Swiping from Consumer Brands
Tim Asimos, CPSM
Chief Marketing Officer
Timmons Group
This session examines how AEC marketers can look beyond industry norms by drawing inspiration from consumer marketing strategies. Designed for in-house marketing professionals, the session explores how proven B2C approaches such as brand storytelling, customer experience, creative campaigns, and audience engagement can be thoughtfully adapted to the built environment.
Decoding the Deal: What Today's A/E/C Buyers Really Want | Karl Feldman
Decoding the Deal: What Today's A/E/C Buyers Really Want
Karl Feldman
Managing Partner
Hinge
This session examines how the A/E/C buyer landscape has shifted and what those changes mean for today’s marketing strategies. Designed for A/E/C marketers and business development professionals, the session explores current buyer priorities, how service providers are evaluated, and the evolving role of RFPs and relationships.
Did Video Kill the Photo Star? | Josh Miles
Did Video Kill the Photo Star?
Josh Miles | Tyler Chartier
This session examines how photography and video can move beyond basic headshots to become powerful tools for differentiation in AEC branding and recruiting. Designed for AEC marketing professionals, the session explores how visual storytelling shapes first impressions, strengthens employer brand, and attracts both clients and talent.
How to Craft a Winning Proposal When You're the Underdog | Wendy Simmons
How to Craft a Winning Proposal When You're the Underdog
Wendy Simmons
Founding Principal
Middle of Six
This session examines how AEC marketers can make smarter, more strategic go/no-go decisions when their firm is the underdog. Designed for professionals involved in pursuit strategy, the session explores how to assess qualifications, weigh risk versus reward, and determine when a longshot opportunity is worth the investment.
From Talent to Rainmaker: Scaling Business Development | Tim Klabunde, FSMPS, CPSM
From Talent to Rainmaker: Scaling Business Development
Tim Klabunde, FSMPS, CPSM
Principal
Growth Impact Partners
This session examines how AEC firms can intentionally develop rainmakers by equipping technical professionals with the skills and confidence needed to support business development. Designed for marketing and business development leaders, the session explores how to foster a culture where relationship-building is shared across the organization rather than limited to a few individuals.
From Resistance to Readiness: Building Culture That Thrives Through Change | Rohan Jawali, GinaRenee Autrey, Rawle Sawh, & Edward Benes, PE, Esq
From Resistance to Readiness: Building Culture That Thrives Through Change
Rohan Jawali | GinaRenee Autrey | Rawle Sawh | Edward Benes, PE, Esq
This session examines how AEC firms navigate transformation by focusing on the human side of change, including culture, communication, and trust. Designed for professionals at all levels, the session brings together AEC leaders to share real-world experiences guiding teams through uncertainty, evolving tools, and shifting expectations.
The Art of Staying Chosen: Relationships that Outlasts the Pursuit | Sarah C. McGillicuddy, Peter A. De La Mora, CPSM, Carrie Mandelin, & Lynn Murphy
The Art of Staying Chosen: Relationships That Outlasts the Pursuit
Sarah C. McGillicuddy | Peter A. De La Mora, CPSM | Carrie Mandelin, CPSM | Lynn Murphy
This moderated panel session examines what it takes to move beyond winning work to earning long-term trust and loyalty in the AEC industry. Featuring perspectives from industry end users and national business development professionals, the discussion explores the critical transition from initial pursuit to sustained partnership.
High Stakes, Smart Moves: Elevating Your Win Rate with AI | Troy Parkinson & Kristin Kautz, FSMPS, CPSM
High Stakes, Smart Moves: Elevating Your Win Rate with AI
Troy Parkinson | Kristin Kautz, FSMPS, CPSM
Winning shortlist interviews still depends on human connection, even as AI transforms how teams prepare. This dynamic session explores how AEC firms can blend proven business development strategy, storytelling, and artificial intelligence to gain an edge in high-stakes interviews.
From Crisis to Credibility: Navigating a Media Storm with Integrity| Katie Weber, CPSM
From Crisis to Credibility: Navigating a Media Storm with Integrity
Katie Weber, CPSM
Associate, Director of Marketing
Moriyama Teshima Architects
This session examines how an architecture firm navigated an unexpected, high-profile public controversy with professionalism, integrity, and strategic communication. Designed for AEC marketing and communications professionals, the session explores Moriyama Teshima Architects’ response to the sudden relocation and closure of Toronto’s Ontario Science Centre, a landmark project deeply tied to the firm’s legacy.
Navigating Change in Short-List Interviews | Margaret Winch
Navigating Change in Short-List Interviews
Margaret Winch
President
Communication Resources Northwest, LLC
This session examines how changes in project delivery, client expectations, AI tools, and competition have reshaped shortlist interviews in the AEC industry. Designed for marketing professionals who coach pursuit teams, the session explores emerging interview formats such as workshops, scenario-based exercises, and tightly timed Q&A, and what it takes to succeed in these environments.
The Business Behind the Business | Adam B. Kilbourne, FSMPS, CPSM & Kevin Hebblethwaite, FSMPS
The Business Behind the Business
Adam B. Kilbourne, FSMPS, CPSM | Kevin Hebblethwaite, FSMPS
This session examines the core business functions that underpin successful AEC firms and the leadership insight marketing and business development professionals need to advance into executive or ownership roles. Designed for professionals looking to deepen their business acumen, the session explores how finance, accounting, HR, risk management, and operations influence strategy, profitability, and long-term sustainability.
CX Mini Bootcamp: Building Client Experience Leadership in AEC | Ryan Suydam
CX Mini Bootcamp: Building Client Experience Leadership in AEC
Ryan Suydam
Founder & CX Evangelist
Client Savvy, a ClearlyRated Company
This session examines Client Experience (CX) as a critical growth strategy for AEC firms looking to build loyalty, drive repeat business, and differentiate in competitive markets. Designed for marketing, business development, and emerging leaders, the session explores what CX truly means in an AEC context and why many firms struggle to define, measure, and implement it effectively.
Prove It: Tools and Formulas to Justify Proposal Resources | Dhoreena Ventura & Alexa Ramsey, CP APMP
Prove It: Tools and Formulas to Justify Proposal Resources
Dhoreena Ventura | Alexa Ramsey, CP APMP
This session examines how AEC marketing leaders can demonstrate the business value of proposal operations and build stronger cases for investment in resources, technology, and staffing. Designed for professionals responsible for proposal strategy and performance, the session explores how to measure proposal ROI, assess efficiency, and translate data into leadership-ready insights.
Understanding the Essentials of Color Team Reviews | Courtney Messick, CPSM & Stephanie Murdoch, CPSM
Understanding the Essentials of Color Team Reviews
Courtney Messick, CPSM | Stephanie Murdoch, CPSM
Color team reviews are essential to winning work, but their success depends on more than simply scheduling meetings and collecting comments. This session provides a practical, end-to-end framework for planning, facilitating, and executing effective color reviews that improve proposal quality, ensure compliance, and drive better outcomes. Drawing from real-world scenarios, participants will learn how to select the right reviewers, align review timing with proposal complexity, and avoid common pitfalls such as insufficient planning, unclear roles, lack of structure, and weak accountability.
Trendjacking the Moment: TSwift, the Louvre Heist & A/E/C Marketing | Deirdre M. Booth, FSMPS, CPSM & Emilie Austin
Trendjacking the Moment: TSwift, the Louvre Heist & A/E/C Marketing
Deirdre M. Booth, FSMPS, CPSM | Emilie Austin
This session examines how A/E/C marketers can leverage cultural moments and timely trends to build visibility and relevance without sacrificing credibility. Designed for marketing professionals navigating fast-moving digital landscapes, the session explores what makes trendjacking effective, how to assess cultural and brand fit, and when participation adds value versus risk.
The Culture Jackpot: Building Your Full House | Briana Carter, CPSM & Kendra Cabler Rather, PhD
The Culture Jackpot: Building Your Full House
Briana Carter, CPSM | Kendra Cabler Rather, PhD
AEC professionals bring relentless hustle to demanding work, often carrying heavy personal and professional pressures behind the scenes. In a market where talent is tight and burnout is real, firms must rethink how they attract, support, and retain their people. This candid, interactive roundtable explores what it truly takes to build cultures rooted in authenticity, trust, and belonging. Through facilitated discussion and shared perspective, participants will examine meaningful recognition, flexible career pathways, and leadership behaviors that honor the whole human, not just the job title.
From Chance to Choice: Building Authentic Networks that Drive Results | Kristin Studabaker & Shannon L. Stewart, CPSM
From Chance to Choice: Building Authentic Networks that Drive Results
Kristin Studabaker | Shannon L. Stewart, CPSM
In an industry built on relationships, the difference between casual connections and intentional partnerships can determine long-term success. This session explores how authentic relationships evolve from chance encounters into meaningful professional impact. Using a real-world case study, presenters introduce the Connection → Intention → Impact framework to demonstrate how everyday interactions can be transformed into purposeful collaborations.
Unlocking Fast Starters, Last Minuters, and Everyone In Between | Skot Waldron
Unlocking Fast Starters, Last Minuters, and Everyone In Between
Skot Waldron
Communications Strategist
Skot Waldron / GiANT
In AEC firms, marketers work at the intersection of creativity, deadlines, and structure, often collaborating with teams that approach work very differently. This keynote challenges the common narrative around procrastination and productivity, showing how different work styles, when understood and communicated, can strengthen trust, collaboration, and results.
