Breakout Sessions

Learning Objectives

• Learn a brief history of explosives and their use in construction
• Understand the documentation that inspectors should be looking for when monitoring blasting operations
• Identify best safety practices that should be followed in blasting operations

Description
This session will provide an overview of the use of explosives and their importance in the construction process. Key topics will include inspection of blasting operations, how to determine an adequate blast plan is in place, seismograph monitoring, pre- and post blast surveys, and best practices for addressing complaints. Also, we’ll discuss best practices for safely using explosives and the role the inspector plays in ensuring safe and efficient blasting operation including special provisions on blasting from previous VDOT jobs.

Learning Objectives

• How more effective listening can improve our professional and personal interactions and relationships
• Things we do that sabotage our ability to listen
• Tips for how to improve our listening skills and an introduction to other resources for continued improvement

Description
From birth, our parents and teachers teach us to communicate. We are taught all aspects of effective communciation, except one. We are taught how to speak words and sentences, how to write those words into coherent sentecences and paragraphs, and how to comprehend what we read. Almost no attention, however, is given to teaching us the skill of listening. Listening is a skill that can be improved with better technique and practice.

Learning Objectives

• Identify how drones and related technology are providing real value in terms of time and cost savings, and other real benefits
• Learn about upcoming advancements that will further increase our clients successes
• Learn about the goals and path to success for a drone program

Description
Drone and site capture technologies have made leaps and bounds over the past 5 years creating a whole new way of looking at construction whether it be horizontal or vertical. Join us for a discussion on where drone and site capture technology is going and how we can use it to empower ourselves to deliver better project outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Define what a TIA is and when to use it on struction projects
• Identify TIA best practices
• Understand roles for project team members during the TIA process which lead to successful outcomes

Description
Have you ever had a delay on a project? How did you quantify the dollar and time impacts of the delay? The TIA is here to help! This presentation will empower your project team to understand how to effectively communicate about delays using the TIA process. This discussion will facilitate individual team member understandings of their responsibilities within the TIA process, empowering the team to quickly reach equitable delay conclusions for projects. This presentation will focus on how each member of the project team can collaborate using available resources to successfully implement the TIA process to aid successful project outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Identify some incredible engineering designs and construction features on these projects​
• Understanding some challenges and lessons learned on the projects
• Understand our roles and how we were able to empower our clients through our assignments

Description
Exciting and challenging journeys on two intriguing infrastructure projects. There are many engineering, architectural, and environmental facts to share, as well as captivating graphics and videos. While there have been major design-building changes on both projects, the Gordie Howe Bridge is unique with coordinate cooperation between two countries, two governments/funding mechanisms, metric/imperial units, and Canadian/US dollars. The Pandemic, ongoing Russia/Ukraine war, and unanticipated climate and weather conditions have resulted in major impacts to the cost of labor, material, equipment, supply chain issues, and design.

Learning Objectives

• Improve communication skills and bolster confidence in public speaking
• Strengthen impromptu speaking skills and the ability to think quickly
• Build leadership skills by stepping outside your comfort zone

Description
We’ll run through a typical Toastmaster’s Club meeting, consisting of prepared speeches, table topics (impromptu speaking), and evaluations. This session will introduce others to a Toastmasters Club and demonstrate how involvement can empower them both professionally and personally. Even when not formally presenting in front of a group, public speaking is important to everyone. The skills required to eloquently present ideas can benefit any setting, from the kitchen table at home to a big meeting with clients (potential or current). Attendees will be engaged and actively participate in this session by listening to others speak and practicing public speaking.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to reduce a buildings operational energy requirements by decarbonizing MEP systems and designing for efficiency
• Learn what steps can be taken now to move toward Net Zero building design, construction, and operation
• Undersatnd the challenges of implementation in support of a net zero strategic plan

Description
In this session, we will delve into the emerging field of decarbonization and net zero. We will discuss how lean design principles and construction methodologies are employed to minimize the operational and embodied carbon in new building construction and existing building renovation. Attendees will understand what steps that can be taken now and how these solutions can contribute to an effective net zero strategy that will empower clients to act. We will explore how alternative sources of energy, combined with highly efficient systems can achieve net zero and whole building decarbonization. We will also discuss the challenges associated with implementation in support of a net zero strategic plan.

Learning Objectives

• How MBP evolved from a start-up of three principals to a 300+, $50+ million business
• What core aspects make MBP the firm that it is
• How MBP fits into the overall construction economy and how we provide value to our clients

Description
Power up your MBP knowledge with an overview of MBP, including its services, values, history, and organizational structure, for attendees interested in knowing a more about MBP and what makes us unique. We will quickly cover much of the material in the day-long MBP Principles session that new Team Members participate in shortly after being hired, and will address specific questions. The session is designed for all attendees, whether newer team members, those who’ve been with us a long time or (especially!) guests curious to know more.

Learning Objectives

• Learn the value of distrinctive features that can be incorporated to new park construction
• Identify the unique construction and scheduling challenges of parks
• Gain an understanding of the importance of managing client and community expectations

Description
Presentation on two major park projects that MBP has supported: Christiansburg Huckleberry Park and Hanson Park. The park presentation will empower team members knowledge on various features of each park and the three main learning outcomes that led to the successful delivery of the projects. The three key topics will focus on project highlights and demonstrate unique features on park projects to anyone who will be managing or inspecting on a park project in the future. Each learning objective will be backed with specific evidence through story examples of experiences encountered.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the surprising power of Atomic Habits and how tiny changes can produce remarkable results​
• Discover how habits shape your identity (and vice versa)​
• Learn how to build better habits in 4 Simple Steps​
• Discover how tracking systems help keep you motivated and on track

Description
Each new year you are asked, “What are your goals?” What you do not get asked is how are you going to achieve these goals. Your day-to-day activities shape how successful you are in achieving your goals and everything you do throughout your day is a habit that you formed over time. Some people call them schedules, but in reality, each activity is a tiny habit that is developed towards a larger objective. This presentation will teach you how to identify what your daily habits are, how to build better ones in four simple steps, and how these habits will shape your future for success.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what equipment is needed to properly perform a site observation
• To learn how to effectively document MEP installation issues and discrepancies
• To learn and be able to identify potential hazards within MBP installations

Description
Have you ever walked on to a job site and had no idea what you should start looking at? Or weren’t really sure how to best document an issue you observed? Identifying, properly tracking, and documenting issues during construction is extremely important to everything we do. In this session we would like to empower you with the knowledge and skills to identify some common mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) issues found in vertical construction and provide some best practice tips on how to effectively document them.

Learning Objectives

• Define what a BIM is and the basic components of a BIM implementation plan
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of the various project stakeholders during each phase of the project life cycle when using BIM
• Understand ways to use the BIM to empower ease of communication on a project

Description
The benefits of implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) are ubiquitous in every stage of construction and a project’s total life cycle. However, BIM is still seen as more of a hurdle than an effective construction management tool. During this presentation, we will attempt to de-mystify the BIM implementation process and learn how to empower the entire project team to see the BIM as a tool that can enhance design transparency and promote increased project team communication during the entire project life cycle.