AEC HR Summit 2026 is a premier North American event dedicated specifically to human resources leadership within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Co-hosted annually by Bob Kelleher and AEC Workplace Solutions, the summit brings together HR professionals and senior leaders who are shaping workforce strategy in a highly competitive and evolving sector.
As AEC firms navigate talent shortages, cultural shifts, and increasing business pressure, the role of HR has become more strategic than ever. This summit creates a focused environment where industry leaders can exchange ideas, explore solutions, and strengthen their approach to people management.
Where AEC Workforce Strategy Meets Real Industry Pressure
The AEC industry operates differently from most sectors. Projects are complex. Timelines are tight. Talent is scarce.
That changes how HR operates.
The AEC HR Summit is built around this reality. It is not a generic HR event. It is tailored specifically for professionals working inside architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
The discussions focus on real issues such as workforce planning, retention, leadership pipelines, and aligning HR strategy with project-driven business models.
What to Expect at AEC HR Summit 2026?
The summit delivers a structured mix of insights, peer exchange, and industry-specific learning.
Leadership Keynotes and Expert Sessions
Industry leaders and HR experts share perspectives on talent strategy, leadership, and workforce challenges unique to AEC firms.
Detailed Agenda Focused on AEC Challenges
Sessions address practical issues such as recruiting skilled talent, managing workforce performance, and building organizational culture in project-based environments.
Panel Discussions and Peer Learning
Interactive panels allow attendees to hear how other AEC firms are solving similar HR challenges and adapting to industry shifts.
Networking with Industry Peers
The event creates opportunities to connect with HR professionals and senior leaders across AEC organizations.
Sponsor and Solution Showcase
Engage with partners and service providers offering tools and solutions tailored to AEC workforce management.
Key Themes Driving the 2026 Program
The summit focuses on challenges that are specific to the AEC industry and difficult to solve in isolation.
Talent Shortage and Workforce Planning
AEC firms continue to face talent gaps. Sessions explore how organizations attract, retain, and develop skilled professionals in a competitive market.
Leadership Development in Project-Based Environments
Discussions focus on building leadership pipelines that can operate effectively across projects, teams, and geographies.
Employee Engagement and Retention
Strategies for improving engagement and reducing turnover in industries where workforce mobility is high.
HR as a Strategic Business Partner
A major focus is on shifting HR from an operational role to a strategic function that directly impacts business performance.
Future of Work in AEC
Insights into how technology, changing expectations, and new work models are reshaping the industry.
Featured Speakers and Industry Voices
The AEC HR Summit features experienced HR leaders and practitioners from across the AEC ecosystem, sharing insights grounded in real-world execution.
Some of the featured speakers include:
- Bob Kelleher – Founder, AEC Workplace Solutions
- Erica Keswin – Author, Speaker, and Workplace Strategist
- Jim Thompson – Chairman & CEO, DCCM
- Emily White – Talent Development Manager, Timmons Group
- JaNette Bridgewater – Chief HR Officer, Freese & Nichols
Full speaker lineup: www.aecworkplace.com/hr-summit/hr-summit-speakers/
The AEC HR Community Experience
What makes this summit different is the specificity.
Everyone in the room understands the same industry challenges. That changes the quality of conversation.
Instead of generic advice, discussions are grounded in real AEC scenarios. Project delays, talent shortages, leadership gaps, and workforce planning are not abstract topics here. They are daily realities.
The format encourages:
- Open discussions between peers in similar roles
- Sharing of practical solutions that have been tested
- Honest conversations about what is not working
- Building relationships within a niche professional community
Why AEC HR Summit 2026 Matters
HR in the AEC industry is at a turning point.
Firms are under pressure to deliver projects faster while managing workforce challenges that are becoming harder to solve. Talent shortages, changing expectations, and increasing competition are forcing HR to step up as a strategic function.
AEC HR Summit 2026 provides a space where leaders can step back and rethink how they approach these challenges.
Attendees gain:
- Practical strategies tailored to the AEC industry
- Insights from leaders dealing with similar challenges
- New approaches to workforce planning and leadership development
- Access to a focused network of AEC HR professionals
- A clearer understanding of how HR drives business outcomes
For HR leaders in architecture, engineering, and construction, this is not just another conference. It is a focused environment built around the realities of their industry.
Explore more at: www.aecworkplace.com/hr-summit/
