Command Alkon’s annual ELEVATE Conference was well-attended and left attendees with key insights on emerging trends and disruptive technologies, and how to adapt to these new innovations to make smarter decisions faster, achieve break-through performance, and deliver truly differentiated experiences across the community.
Rock Products Editor Mark Kuhar moderated a group discussion about aggregates industry IT issues at the event.
“Per its name, this year’s Conference did just that – it ELEVATED attendee experience and industry enrichment to new levels,” said Phil Ramsey, CEO of Command Alkon. “The world of collaboration is experiencing transformation at every level; new players, technologies, and ways of thinking – and Command Alkon is truly grateful to be at the forefront of this conversation.”
Keynote presentations included:
- Ryan Estis, chief experience officer at Estis and Associates, coached the audience through unleashing their inner superhero to remove the uncertainty that threatens to hinder performance. Attendees learned how to embrace change and leverage innovation as a catalyst to boost their organizations into new levels of growth and success in today’s hyper-connected and ultra-competitive business environment. Another major theme was workplace culture; how to ensure employees share the same vision and set of values; and how to effectively use emerging technology to improve communication, culture, and work-life.
- Keith Donovan, Stacy Smedley, Aaron Snowdon – leaders from Skanska, Microsoft, and Cadman – joined together for a panel discussion highlighting Microsoft’s multi-billion dollar, multi-year Redmond Campus Renovation Project and to discuss taking sustainability in construction to the next level.
- Steve Jones, senior director, industry insights research at Dodge Data & Analytics, discussed how new technologies are rapidly transforming all global industries. Dodge Data & Analytics is a recognized leader in conducting cutting-edge research on the adoption, value, and challenges of technology usage by owners, designers and contractors and publishing compelling findings in its SmartMarket Report series. Jones shared highlights of his team’s research on how this digital transformation is impacting the heavy construction sector, with examples of innovative ways practitioners are applying digital tools and practices to benefit all parties.
A hot topic of the conference was CONNEX – The Supplier Collaboration Platform for Construction’s Heavy Work. The CONNEX Platform allows businesses within the heavy construction industry to harness problem-solving energies and gain insights into every aspect of their supply chain. The platform empowers companies to simplify data and analytics across their trading partners and streamline operations for greater efficiency and productivity.
Early adopter of the CONNEX Platform, Ryan Bartholomew of Lauren Concrete, took the stage with Ed Broach of Alamo Cement Co. and shared their same vision of how CONNEX provides real-time visibility across their transactions to boost productivity and enable digital collaboration among one another.
Nearly 50 companies exhibited and sponsored the conference, and more than 40 companies were recognized during the annual ELEVATE Awards Ceremony, which highlights industry excellence and exceptional individual performance.
There was something for everyone at ELEVATE 2019 – including “PowerTalk” sessions organized into five distinct growth and success tracks, panels that addressed industry issues, Solution Labs with Command Alkon experts, extra training with TRAININGDAYS Extended sessions, and interactive “Innovation Zones” where attendees could choose across first-rate technology demonstrations and discussions.
The location of next year’s ELEVATE – Construction’s Heavy Work Conference & Expo, was announced at the end of the opening keynote. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., will house the 2020 event.