Inside Construction Conferences with the Contractor Coalition Summit
If you’ve ever been to a Contractor Coalition Summit, you know that it’s not just another builder event — it’s a high-energy, deep-connection, idea-sharing kind of weekend that sticks with you. Omaha was no exception. (Okay, maybe the 105-degree heat was a little much... but we made it work.)
Here’s a look behind the scenes of the latest construction industry summit, what made it great, and why Chicago in November should be on your radar!
Builders, Buzz, and a Whole Lotta Sweat
We kicked things off Thursday night as builders flew in — a mix of industry leader alumni and first-timers, ready to learn, connect, and level up. Friday morning started with a community yoga session (yes, builders can be flexible — at least in spirit). About 30 of us stretched it out before bussing over to Buildertrend HQ.
I actually flew in that morning with Nick Schiffer (shoutout to our Minneapolis layover) and we Ubered over together. At Buildertrend, the vibe was awesome — custom hats (I made some for my kids), DIY waffle bar, and a killer tour. That’s where I hosted our first Build Buzz session in a Curious Builder podcast format with Morgan, Nick, Tyler, and Brad. We dug into scaling businesses, industry demands, brand partnerships, customer expectations, ops, and handling tough clients — then opened the floor for Q&A.
Friday night’s kickoff dinner back at the Kimpton Hotel was all about connection. When you planned speaker couldn’t make it — Adaptive (our sponsor) pivoted and had us share impact stories. I talked about how they helped us save $150K through clarity around accounting. It turned into one of the most meaningful sponsor moments we’ve ever had!
Saturday: Education, Interviews & Elevation
Saturday was game day. From early interviews with industry professionals to evening conversations, I was in go-mode. My job was to keep the energy high, and I loved every second!
I did 36 interviews and panel discussions throughout the weekend — talking with builders, sponsors, and leadership. Doug from Motif Media and I crushed it. For many, it was their first time on a podcast mic. Watching people light up as they told their stories — why they came, what they learned, who inspired them — that was the real win.
Between chats, I worked the room, stayed present, and made sure everyone felt seen. The heat was brutal — 105 degrees — but honestly, it brought us together. A few of us even found time for poolside networking (as one does).
Tech & Tactics: The Top Takeaways
When it came to content and educational sessions, the biggest emerging technology takeaway was clear: AI is here — and builders better be paying attention.
Nick and Morgan are industry leading experts who dove deep into how artificial intelligence is reshaping everything from contracts to communication. It wasn’t just surface-level — we spent 2–3 hours exploring tools, applications, groundbreaking insights and strategy. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Builders were fired up, not overwhelmed.
Other big lessons?
Contract clarity: This is risk management and you can’t overcommunicate here.
Financial perspective: Seeing how other builders handle numbers and building systems that work for you is a game-changer.
The Evolution of the Summit
This was my fifth summit, and every one gets sharper. Leadership is refining the experience, alumni are returning (about 15–20% were repeat attendees), and the energy is electric.
What makes these summits powerful is consistency plus depth. You can feel it — in the way people open up, in the thank-you notes we get, in the relationships that form. I’ve grown so much personally and professionally just by being in the room.
Behind-the-Scenes Gold
Some of the most meaningful moments didn’t happen on stage.
They happened in conversations about wellness, family, balance, and business. People asked about the Curious Builder Boot Camp, long-distance hiking, how to handle the juggling act of work and life. These are the stories that stick. The human moments.
I also met a few new builders who will probably become Curious Builder Collective ambassadors as we expand into new states. That’s the beauty of these events — they spark real momentum!
Want to know about my journey with the summit? this blog has all the details!
Should You Go to Chicago in November?
If you’re a builder or business owner who wants to grow — especially if you’re craving community and honest feedback — this is the place.
One of our featured speakers is Ally Anderson from Integro Builders, who’s been with us since the first summit in Nashville. She’s incredible!
If you’re even thinking about attending Chicago, stop thinking. Just come. It could change the way you run your business — and the way you live your life.
