Tampa Build Expo 2026 | Keynotes & Seminars

Hear the true story of how a contractor transformed a cash-strapped business into a stable, debt-free operation. This session reveals real numbers and practical strategies for running on cash, eliminating creditor pressure, and ending the deposit-to-deposit cycle. Learn how simple financial systems, smarter bank account structures, and proven templates can help you retain cash, regain control, and put your business firmly in the driver’s seat.

Build Expo presents a keynote panel featuring three experts with 85+ years of combined experience in marketing, sales, and operations. Tailored for construction professionals, this dynamic session covers lead generation, closing contracts, and streamlining operations. Submit your toughest questions and leave with practical strategies to grow, manage, and strengthen your business.

Customers often focus on the lowest bid they receive. Contractors spend more time getting as low a number as possible as opposed to making a good profit on projects. Contractors are capable of winning work but struggle in securing a reasonable profit on their projects. The result is focusing on bidding and quoting as opposed to full customer engagement to drive higher profits. There are very effective methods to increase margins within a solid sales effort. These methods will be presented and examples of their success related. Contractors and suppliers alike will benefit from this detailed information.

Most contractor owners cross their fingers and hope for the best when desiring a solid culture, meaningful profit, and a product that they are proud of. Luck is not a strategy!

This highly engaging education program will reveal four critical blind spots sabotaging the growth of your business and your team. You will leave this presentation with ONE action item to immediately implement into your business that will wishing you had heard this talk ten years ago!

After this presentation you will have clarity on why the younger generation "will not listen" and how you can respond, the leadership "RPM's for a healthy culture, and the one system that will ensure necessary profit that will fuel culture and growth.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn the 3 foundational cornerstones of EVERY contractor business
2. Understand the 3 non-negotiables of building and leading a vision-centered team
3. Discover how an owner's process leadership directly impacts people, profit, and productivity
4. Create a proven plan for predicting your profit

In this class we will layout how to determine what associations to join, how to work them and get business from your involvement. The single greatest way to find grouped customers and network contacts is right in your backyard association! Work them to the fullest and you'll never make a cold call again!

https://www.tomwoodcocksealthedeal.com

 This session provides a comparative analysis of key construction materials and methods, examining strength, structural performance, cost, sustainability, durability, and maintenance. Attendees will explore how each option affects project speed, design flexibility, and long-term outcomes, including the role of digital fabrication. Learn how to evaluate materials strategically to optimize performance, efficiency, and overall project value. 

This class will discuss construction contracts, including things to be aware of and to watch out for; important terms; and what we typically see that causes disputes.

We will talk about how to navigate hot-button items like cost escalations due to tariffs/epidemics/supply chain shortages, and impact of new laws. (shortened repose period, local gov’t prompt pay etc.)

Having several speakers tag-team the presentation is a format that we often use at conferences, which is well-received and helps keep the audience’s attention.

Cyberattacks hit over half of construction firms each year, causing costly delays and lost contracts. With CMMC 2.0 requirements taking effect January 1, 2027, contractors handling CUI must prepare now. This session explains the CMMC framework, key security controls, and practical steps to reach compliance efficiently—helping your company reduce risk, protect projects, and stay competitive in federal and private bids.

Learn how to do business with the City of St. Petersburg in this essential session led by the Procurement and Supply & Management Department and Office of Supplier Development. Discover what the City buys, purchasing methods and thresholds, the vendor certification process, and current contract opportunities. Procurement Analyst Lawanda S. Barber will share insights and answer questions to help you compete successfully for City contracts.

This session explores how artificial intelligence is transforming construction workflows, accounting, and job costing. Learn how AI supports operations teams, improves financial visibility, and drives efficiency across projects. We’ll cover practical implementation strategies, real-world use cases, and how to build a strong ROI case for adopting AI.

This course explores how large openings and natural light support occupant health while meeting the structural demands of Wind-Borne and Coastal Areas. Attendees will learn about glass wall systems, impact-resistant components, hardware, and testing requirements, along with the design and performance benefits these systems provide for modern projects focused on wellness, durability, and resilient building standards.

In this lively and highly informative discussion, Ann McNeill, the "Master Builder" explains the steps, skills, and strategies needed for construction contractors to successfully bid on and obtain work with governments.

Ann has worked with all levels of government and specializes in helping small businesses thrive.

What if you could hire a world-class assistant—one that never sleeps, never forgets, and never burns out? Now you can. In this groundbreaking workshop, we'll show you how to build a simple, fully customized AI agent that can think like you, speak like you, and help run your business with precision. No coding required. This is not the future—it's now, and it's built for contractors. 

Most contractor owners are juggling 10 roles—and dropping 3. You don't need 10 different tools; you need 1 smart agent that can handle estimating assistance, daily team check-ins, subcontractor communication, job status updates, and payroll & material cost summaries. 

In this hands-on session, you'll learn the 3-step blueprint to build your AI agent: feed it your playbook (processes, org charts, vision docs), define what it does (emails, job updates, quotes, reminders, reporting), and start the conversation (voice, chat, mobile app). It learns as you use it. 

You'll walk away with a starting template ready to customize and integrate with your current systems (email, Slack, Google Drive, CRM). Zero coding. Zero headache. Just results. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand what an AI agent is and why contractors need one smart assistant instead of 10 disconnected tools 

2. Learn the business owners Operating System blueprint to build a custom AI agent trained on your business processes and documentation 

3. Discover the top 5 things contractors are using AI agents for: estimating, team check-ins, subcontractor communication, job updates, and cost summaries 

4. Walk away with a pre-built prompts you can customize and integrate with your existing systems—no coding required 

Florida's public sector is a hotbed of construction. But with all the complex regulations and hoops to jump through, it can seem like bidding on government projects isn't worth the effort. 
But what if there was a way to fill your pipeline with government construction work and generate a steady stream of revenue all with a single bid? 
 
There is. It's called Job Order Contracting and in 2024, it was responsible for over $160 million in construction volume in Florida alone and over $4 billion across North America. 
 
Join this session to find out how Job Order Contracting works and how it can take your business to new heights. 
 
We'll cover: 
 What makes Job Order Contracting different from traditional project delivery methods like Design-Bid and Design-Bid-Build 
 Successfully bidding on Job Order Contracts 
 Benefits for contractors and owners 
 Use cases and project examples across the Golden State.
 
Outline: 
 Kickoff video: https://gordian.hubs.vidyard.com/watch/kd8AVTM7vdhMxzNQHc16Du 
 Positive outcomes of Job Ordering Contracting
 Definition of Job Order Contracting and its value for contractors and owners
 The streamlined solicitation process 
 Gordian's proven five-step Job Order process 
 Use cases and local case studies, including historic Flagler Street and Virginia Key
 Ways to get involved in a Gordian Job Order Contracting program 

Managing a construction project requires several types of skills, not just technical, but other skills, especially soft skills. This includes the skills to communicate, manage time and priorities tasks, lead, motivate, negotiate, build and manage teams, resolve conflicts, and manage changes (to people and systems). This seminar gives some tips on these skills with a glimpse of emotional intelligence, which is one of the main components of success in the world of business. Many experts suggest that emotional intelligence is more important than IQ (or "book smart") for success in life.

It is paramount that contractors realize that the most important aspect of their business is sales. Without them you have nothing. Yet, the amount of attention given to sales by most contractors is minimal. This results in low profits and the ups and downs of revenue. It doesn’t matter how good your marketing is or how efficiently you run your business if you’re not closing deals. We’ll get you closing more projects at higher profits.

Your competitors are showing up in ChatGPT searches and if you are not.... Well, that means you are losing out!

Attend a no pitch teaching session on how to generate a higher visibility in your market using AI.

Unlock more opportunities that you never knew existed. Then learn how to know if it is working when you start

• How to get more visibility on ChatGPT

• Communicate with online visitors

• Converting visitors

The Bottom Line is - The longer a prospect stays on your site the more likely they are to engage in a conversation with you. Control their navigation and you will get more leads!

Attend and get access to free Google AI gifts on behalf of Build Expo and www.JRcmo.com

This session will discuss structural failures observed during storm damage assessments and the behavior of wood structures during high wind events. An overview of how high wind forces work, the importance of a complete load path, and how good design and construction practices can improve the storm resistance of buildings will be provided. Both code requirements and APA's above-code recommendations which contribute to improved overall performance in the structural shell will be discussed. They focus on good connection details and common failure modes seen in storm damage assessments and help builders cost effectively build a safer home. By understanding key code requirements and lateral load concepts, home damage in future storms can be minimized.

If you are closing more than 70% of your leads- you need to stop dealing with apples (a handful of small opportunities).

Hear how to start closing 20% of watermelons (more opportunities at a higher volume of Gross and net profits)!

Guaranteed to change your perception forever as an educator and business coach of 20+ years blows your mind sharing 3 key points of why you have been struggling.

• Starting with the psychology of what buyers are thinking.

• Moving to why your visitors are frustrated with the current world of marketing

• Greatest strategy that Controls your users navigation - educating them on why you are the best

• Closing the session with setting better budgeting strategy

Attend and get access to free Google AI gifts on behalf of Build Expo and www.JRcmo.com

This session explores today's challenges in construction estimating-time demands, inaccuracies, outdated pricing, and labor shortages-and how AI can solve them. Paul will demonstrate frontier models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for material calculations, document review, and visual analysis. Learn practical applications, see AI-driven takeoffs in action, and discover the future of purpose-built construction AI.

Got MICS? - Does your HR Dept. have your MICS (Mental Health In Construction Services) covered?? Do you have support systems in place for your A-Teams?? Get coverage..Stay In Compliance. Join QCN and grab your FREE wellness gift along with " Quick-Tips " on site today!

See how AI can boost conversions with faster follow-ups, personalized messages, and automations. Learn the strategies builders use to move leads to sold.

Learn how to maximize lead generation and create a stronger sales pipeline. This session covers how to set up an effective scheduling department, qualify prospects through a confirmation process, and track leads to identify performance trends. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to increase qualified leads and optimize internal systems for better sales outcomes.

Cost estimating is one of the most important tasks for any contractor, as these estimates represent a prediction of a future occurrence with so many uncertainties. Being too conservative will reduce the chance of winning a contract, while being too liberal will reduce profitability and may even lead to a loss. Failing to pay attention to certain items can make a big difference in the estimate accuracy.

While no one is perfect, the contractor can follow a few tips to optimize the estimate; minimizing risks and uncertainties and maximizing profit. This seminar takes a chronological tour from project inception to completion, providing valuable tips that tend to reduce risks and uncertainties and draw the contractor’s attention to issues that optimize the estimate and maximize profit.

This session reveals how hidden back-office bottlenecks quietly drain contractor profits—from slow AR and messy documentation to weak scheduling and client communication. Learn the five core systems that protect margins, why hiring more admins no longer works, and how top contractors use global talent, smarter workflows, and modern processes to scale efficiently and sustainably.

Upon completion of this course, architects and participants will understand:

• Properties of cellular PVC
• Cellular PVC micro-ingredients
• Key differences between high and low-quality cellular PVC
• Ease of use and adaptability
• Common and unique end-use applications
• Painting, staining, and laminating options
• PVC’s contributions to Sustainability

• Properties of Cellular PVC Trim
• Are all cellular PVC Trims the same?
• Working With PVC
• Uses & Applications:
  • Residential – Exterior & Interior
  • Commercial
  • Multi-Family
  • Historical Preservation

• Dark paint technology for cellular PVC trim
• New trim surface technology - Film Laminates
• PVC’s contribution to Sustainability

Learn how to turn QuickBooks into a powerful decision-making tool-not just a bookkeeping system. This session shows business owners how to read financial dashboards like a CEO, set up KPIs and reports that drive real-time decisions, and translate financial data into strategic actions that improve profitability, efficiency, and long-term business growth.

An introductory class explaining "no-bid" pathways in federal contracting, with definitions, eligibility, where they appear, and compliance basics. Participants will learn how relationships and market research factor in, and where to find authoritative rules and examples to capture government contracts.

Most businesses rely on invoices, card payments, and ACH—but few know what it truly costs to get paid. This session shows how money moves from customer to bank, where delays and fees quietly drain profit, and how payment methods impact cash flow. Learn to spot leaks in your system, read your statements clearly, and turn hidden losses into added margin.

First 10 minutes we will Dive into 

• Social Media Lead generation strategies. How it's been done and where it's going. 
• Google organic and paid creative lead generation 
• ChatGPT - the online results digital land rush 

Chief Marketing Officer educating business executives the newest and greatest strategies going into 2026. 

See a short video on what to expect at this session. Www.jrcmo.com/buildexpo/SEO

<iframe width="416" height="740" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mmkeYJxfAtk" title="Why Most Business Conferences Fail (And What We Do Differently)  Fractional CMO Dallas #shorts" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This class empowers construction entrepreneurs with essential tools to build, grow, and sustain a successful business. Learn industry best practices, project management, marketing, and client relationship strategies. Gain actionable insights and practical skills to thirve in the competitive construction industry. 

The federal government awards over $150 billion in construction contracts each year, yet many set-aside opportunities go unclaimed by eligible firms. This session breaks down 2025–2026 spending trends across 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and other certification programs, revealing where the biggest awards are happening and which certifications are delivering results for small, minority-, women-, and veteran-owned contractors.

A candid, practitioner-led panel on real-world AI in construction and government contracting: what's changing in workflows, compliance, bidding, and client expectations. Leaders share wins, stumbles, and practical guardrails so small and midsized firms can evaluate where AI fits-today and in the next 12 months.

Good marketing is meaningless if you don’t know how to close leads. Contractors spend significant dollars on marketing to produce leads. It’s necessary to use all the vehicles in regard to social media, A.I., web and e-newsletter marketing to gain leads. We’ll teach you how to raise your close rate and improve your ROI on that marketing investment. Marketing is NOT sales but can effectively lead to sales if leads are worked properly. Find out how.

From one market to many. Why scaling into new markets is the next step, how to do it right, and when to make the jump!

Most businesses don’t fail to grow because of a lack of opportunity — they stall because the owner becomes the bottleneck. Expanding into a second market exposes every weakness in leadership, systems, and decision-making. This session breaks down what it actually takes to grow into new markets without chaos, burnout, or losing control. Attendees will learn how to prepare their business for expansion, what must be centralized versus local, how to put the right leader in place, and why tools like AI and virtual assistance only work when the operating model is designed correctly. This is a practical, no-fluff conversation for owners who want to scale intentionally — not accidentally.

Contractor schedules shape project planning, cash flow, procurement, and resource management—but CPM schedules often rely on assumptions that can create risk. This session offers practical tips for building and maintaining accurate, optimized schedules from day one through execution. Learn how to strengthen forecasting, improve reliability, and use your schedule as a powerful tool for project control and performance.

Upon completion of this course, architects and participants will understand:

• Properties of cellular PVC
• Cellular PVC micro-ingredients
• Key differences between high and low-quality cellular PVC
• Ease of use and adaptability
• Common and unique end-use applications
• Painting, staining, and laminating options
• PVC’s contributions to Sustainability

• Properties of Cellular PVC Trim
• Are all cellular PVC Trims the same?
• Working With PVC
• Uses & Applications:
  • Residential – Exterior & Interior
  • Commercial
  • Multi-Family
  • Historical Preservation

• Dark paint technology for cellular PVC trim
• New trim surface technology - Film Laminates
• PVC’s contribution to Sustainability

Course Overview

The REV Program Training Class is an intensive, hands-on workshop designed for founder-led businesses preparing for a strategic exit, recapitalization, or significant growth milestone. This training equips you with the frameworks, tools, and strategies needed to maximize enterprise value and execute a successful transaction.

Whether you're 6 months or 5 years from exit, this class will transform how you think about value creation, deal readiness, and strategic positioning.

Who Should Attend

·       Founders & CEOs of businesses generating $2M+ in revenue planning for exit within 1-3 years

·       Business owners exploring strategic alternatives (sale, merger, recapitalization)

·       Leadership teams preparing their companies for institutional investment or acquisition

·       Entrepreneurs who want to understand how buyers and investors value their business

Most business owners overpay the IRS without realizing it—lost deductions, messy records, and missing documentation quietly drain profit every year. This session teaches you how to prepare the right financial reports, spot red flags, protect deductions, and reduce your 2026 tax burden. Learn practical, repeatable habits that keep you organized, audit-ready, and confidently in control of your finances.

Every business owner will exit their business whether they are ready or not. For owners who have not through the details of that exit or transition, the government will be happy to coordinate the details through probate.

You can help your business and family skip that pain all while building a business that can run and grow with our without you.

In this powerful, energetic, and sobering presentation, Scott Beebe shares true stories of successful and failed transitions to give you a head start on transitioning well and showing how you can still earn income with marginal time for what matters most.

You will walk away with a powerful and implementable next steps giving you confidence to transition on your timeline.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how much of your personal net worth is locked away in your business
2. Get clarity on how valuation specialists (and markets) value businesses
3. Leave with a clear roadmap for building up (and extracting) the monetary value of your business
4. Build confidence in who will run and grow your business when you are not there

Most businesses rely on invoices, card payments, and ACH—but few know what it truly costs to get paid. This session shows how money moves from customer to bank, where delays and fees quietly drain profit, and how payment methods impact cash flow. Learn to spot leaks in your system, read your statements clearly, and turn hidden losses into added margin.

This session will discuss structural failures observed during storm damage assessments and the behavior of wood structures during high wind events. An overview of how high wind forces work, the importance of a complete load path, and how good design and construction practices can improve the storm resistance of buildings will be provided. Both code requirements and APA's above-code recommendations which contribute to improved overall performance in the structural shell will be discussed. They focus on good connection details and common failure modes seen in storm damage assessments and help builders cost effectively build a safer home. By understanding key code requirements and lateral load concepts, home damage in future storms can be minimized.

Learn how to do business with the City of St. Petersburg in this essential session led by the Procurement and Supply & Management Department and Office of Supplier Development. Discover what the City buys, purchasing methods and thresholds, the vendor certification process, and current contract opportunities. Procurement Analyst Lawanda S. Barber will share insights and answer questions to help you compete successfully for City contracts.

Florida contractors are the second most heavily regulated profession in the state; behind only the medical profession. Learn how to make sure you’re using your license properly, common pitfalls contractors face, how to legally qualify more than one business with your license, and what to do if someone files a complaint against your license. Plus an update local licensing changes and how this affects statewide contractor licenses.

This session explores how artificial intelligence is transforming construction workflows, accounting, and job costing. Learn how AI supports operations teams, improves financial visibility, and drives efficiency across projects. We’ll cover practical implementation strategies, real-world use cases, and how to build a strong ROI case for adopting AI.

See how AI can boost conversions with faster follow-ups, personalized messages, and automations. Learn the strategies builders use to move leads to sold.

Learn how to turn QuickBooks into a powerful decision-making tool-not just a bookkeeping system. This session shows business owners how to read financial dashboards like a CEO, set up KPIs and reports that drive real-time decisions, and translate financial data into strategic actions that improve profitability, efficiency, and long-term business growth.

Most businesses rely on invoices, card payments, and ACH—but few know what it truly costs to get paid. This session shows how money moves from customer to bank, where delays and fees quietly drain profit, and how payment methods impact cash flow. Learn to spot leaks in your system, read your statements clearly, and turn hidden losses into added margin.