GBQ hosted its third annual Construction Industry Seminar on Jan. 14, 2026, at the firm’s Columbus office. The event brought together construction leaders, financial executives, and industry specialists from across Ohio and the greater Midwest. Presenters focused on timely issues impacting the construction sector, including financial leadership, economic conditions, surety trends, and the growing role of artificial intelligence. Attendees benefited from practical insights, peer perspectives, and forward-looking discussions designed to help construction companies navigate an evolving business environment.
Kwame Christian Delivers Keynote Address: Mastering Difficult Conversations
The seminar’s keynote was delivered by Kwame Christian, a globally recognized negotiation expert, bestselling author, business attorney, and founder & CEO of the American Negotiation Institute. Christian is also the host of the world’s top negotiation podcast, Negotiate Anything, and a regular contributor to Forbes, known for empowering professionals to navigate challenging, high-stakes conversations with confidence and clarity.
During his keynote, Christian drew on his “Compassionate Curiosity” framework, a practical, psychology-based approach to handling difficult conversations and negotiations. His presentation helped attendees understand not only how to structure and approach tough discussions but also how to manage emotions, build trust, and turn challenging interactions into opportunities for stronger relationships and better outcomes.
Christian’s work is grounded in his bestselling books, including Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life, and his widely viewed TEDx talk of the same name, which underscores his core message: the best opportunities often lie on the other side of difficult conversations.
CFO Panel: Strategic Leadership In A Changing Industry
GBQ’s CFO panel featured Ed Kendall, CFO of Elford; Melissa McKenzie, CFO of The Superior Group; and Allison Srail, CFO of Crawford Hoying. Panelists shared candid insights into how their organizations are leveraging technology and AI in daily operations, from financial reporting to forecasting and operational efficiency. They discussed the key performance metrics they rely on to make data-driven decisions and emphasized the importance of strong alignment between finance and operations teams to drive profitability, accountability, and long-term growth.
Economic Outlook: Implications For Construction
Michael Gregory, Deputy Chief Economist and Managing Director of BMO, delivered an in-depth economic update, highlighting broader macroeconomic factors shaping the U.S. economy while focusing specifically on trends affecting the construction industry in Ohio and the Midwest. His presentation addressed interest rates, labor dynamics, and material costs, with particular attention given to the potential impacts of tariffs on construction pricing, supply chains, and project planning.
Surety Market Update: Risks & Trends
Dave Catanese, AFSB, Vice President of Surety, and Brian Mozena, Surety and Construction Advisor, with HUB International, provided a comprehensive overview of the current surety market. Their discussion covered key trends, including an increase in claims activity, evolving underwriting standards, and what these developments mean for contractors seeking bonding capacity. They also shared insights into broader construction market trends and offered practical guidance on how contractors can position themselves favorably with sureties.
Employee Benefits & Healthcare Cost Trends
Dean Stitz of McGohan Brabender shared insights on current marketplace trends driving rising medical benefit costs and the impact these increases are having on construction employers. He discussed factors such as inflation in healthcare services, utilization trends, and the growing importance of proactive benefits planning. Stitz also outlined the various strategies employers are using to address escalating healthcare expenses, including fully or partially self-funded plans, participation in captive insurance arrangements, and the continued use of traditional fully insured plans. He emphasized the importance of evaluating plan design, risk tolerance, and long-term cost management when selecting the right benefits approach for employees.
AI In Action: Practical Applications For Contractors
Geoff Marsh, Managing Partner of Amend Consulting, closed the seminar with a compelling presentation on the real-world application of AI in the construction industry. Rather than focusing solely on emerging tools, Marsh emphasized how AI technologies can be implemented today to produce tangible results, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making. His session provided concrete examples of how construction companies can move from curiosity about AI to meaningful adoption that delivers measurable value.
GBQ’s third annual seminar reinforced the firm’s commitment to supporting the construction industry with relevant insights, practical guidance, and opportunities for collaboration as the industry continues to evolve. We thank all of our co-sponsors and attendees and look forward to our fourth annual event next January.
If you would like to attend next year’s Construction Industry Seminar hosted by GBQ, let us know. Our construction industry services practice includes experts in specialties such as audits, reviews, compilations, business technology solutions, financial due diligence and quality of earnings, forensic accounting, international tax, state and local tax, and more. GBQ is passionate about empowering the ongoing growth of our clients and communities. Let’s have a discussion to find out how we can empower you.
By Ryan Kilpatrick, CPA, CCIFP, Partner, Tax & Advisory
Are you in search of additional construction insights? Check out these resources:
The One Big Beautiful Bill & Its Impact On Construction
Harnessing Innovation & Collaboration In Construction
Agentic AI Use Cases For Today’s Real Estate & Construction Firms
