Region Pride, Fire Alarms, & Excellent Company
For the last 5 years I have had the pleasure of watching the Annual Design-Build Conference and Expo grow and evolve. With over 2,000 of the design and construction industry’s best and brightest in attendance, this year was no exception. Each day was filled with generous knowledge sharing by many wonderful leaders, several of which reside here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Each year in combination with the National Conference we like to host a Region Social. This year we were joined by over 150 people for a causal networking social at Level Up. The conditions were such that the gathering continued long after our event window passed. It is an honor that so many wanted to share some of their last night in the city with us! Each year this event is planned by a group of volunteers, and we want to recognize them for the time donated to create this opportunity for you. Please join me in thanking Nick Byers (Hennebery Eddy Architects), Ken Dykeman (Hermanson), Grayson Hart (OEG), Matt Alvarado (GLY), Justin Stranzl (DLR Group), and Jon McGrew (Henneberry Eddy Architects) for putting together one heck of a party for us!
As usual, Las Vegas did not disappoint, and nor did the Annual Awards Program. This year projects from the Northwest Region took home several national awards. These award-winning projects are all excellent examples of Design-Build and we as a Region could not be more proud of your accomplishments.
If I had to share a key takeaway with you it would be that the Northwest Region is a leading voice in the evolution of Best Value Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and work in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space. Our thanks go out to the many that have put in the work year over year elevating Design-Build from alternate to over 40% of the market share. We also want to recognize Herb Yamamoto (BIM Connection) and Blanca Rodriguez (Integrus Architecture) Co-Chairs of the NW Region DEI Committee who are keeping inclusion at the top of mind for our region with regular DEI moments and the development of DEI Best Practices for Supplier Diversity.
I think what I enjoyed most about my experience at the conference this year was that I got to meet and talk with so many of you. Please know that your ability to connect with our Region does not end with the Conference. I am available at office@dbianw.org if you ever want to connect, get more engaged in the Design-Build community, or event get involved in a volunteer capacity.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you next year in D.C!
Carissa Linnane, Executive Director
Northwest Region
The Design-Build Institute of America