On September 15, 2026 at the iconic Empire State Building in New York City, BuildIT, together and our partners, ENR and Telos Advisers, are convening a one-day ‘national gathering’ of transportation and infrastructure executives, from the public and private sectors, for a historic strategic planning session to discuss the challenges, and solutions to, three of the nation’s most significant issues as they relate to robust and sustainable national infrastructure development:
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Project Funding
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Utilization of Alternative Project Delivery
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Workforce Development
Together, we will:
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Sharpen BuildIT’s National 20-Year Vision Plan so we are matching the moment & momentum
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Align on public/private sector project funding strategies and ecosystem support systems
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Accelerate efforts in construction workforce development and training
8:00 am
9:00 am
9:20 am
9:45 am
10:30 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
12:15 pm
12:30 pm
1:00 pm
1:15 pm
2:00 pm
2:45 pm
3:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:15 pm
4:30 pm
Registration/Continental Breakfast
Introductions & Opening Remarks
Keynote Remarks I
Panel One:
Delivering Mega Projects in a Post-IIJA World
Panel Two:
Alternative Delivery Projects with National Impact
Guest Remarks
Data Center & Infrastructure Development in NY/NJ Region & Beyond
Working Lunch
Special Remarks
Keynote Remarks II
Break
Panel Three:
Key Transit System Modernization Projects & Funding Initiatives
Panel Four:
Workforce Development in a Fast-Changing Built Environment
Break
Issue Compilation
National Strategic Plan, Prioritization & Action Items
Adjourn
Reception
Please note that this agenda is subject to change. Speakers, Panelists and Special Guests will be added on a weekly basis. Check back often for updates.
BuildIT's 'The Gathering' NYC will be held at the iconic Empire State Building in New York City on September 15, 2026. If you are interested in attending this event, we ask that you complete this short survey so that we can capture critical information about you, your business, organization or role within the AEC industry, and/or areas of expertise and experience.
Can we build our way to greater affordability and a better quality of life? Building the Abundant Community examines how housing, schools, infrastructure, and digital capacity work together to shape opportunity. Through the lens of New York City and the rapidly expanding data-center industry, Yogesh Saoji and Jesse Duker will explore how communities can welcome growth while ensuring that its costs and benefits are shared fairly.
YOGESH SAOJI, FAICP, AIA, PP
Global Planning Leader, Principal
JESSE DUKER
National Business Development Leader, Principal
Yogesh Saoji is a planner, urban designer, and architect whose transdisciplinary practice spans three decades. As Global Planning Leader at DLR Group, an integrated design firm, he shapes and advances a nationally recognized planning practice focused on equity, sustainability, and community-centered design. His experience encompasses work with federal, state, and local governments, higher education institutions, developers, communities, and stakeholders on award-winning projects in campus planning, civic design, cultural initiatives, transportation, and large-scale mixed-use redevelopment. His projects have earned recognition from AIA, APA, SCUP, and CNU, among other organizations.
Jesse Duker is a Principal and National Business Development Leader at DLR Group, where he drives strategic growth across Workplace and Mission Critical project types. With more than 20 years of experience in architecture, design, and entertainment, he brings a market-informed perspective to aligning client ambition with tailored design solutions. Jesse helps clients clarify what matters most, forming partnerships and hand-crafting high-performing teams to design and deliver projects to his clients’ highest expectations. A firm believer in collaboration, he approaches growth as a shared endeavor, grounded in alignment, trust, and long-term value creation.
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BuildIT encourages our network, and guests, attending the NYC Gathering to also attend ENR’s NY/NJ Infrastructure Forum taking place the day prior our event.
The ENR NY/NJ Infrastructure Forum 2026 takes place on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York City. The daylong event focuses on navigating regional project funding, accelerating permitting, and addressing affordable housing as an infrastructure imperative.
Monday, September 14, 2026
Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, New York, NY
Key Topics & Focus Areas
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Federal Turbulence: Overcoming shifting federal rules affecting project approvals, labor, and supply chains.
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Permit Streamlining: Exploring New Jersey's "Operation Fast" program and regional efforts to speed up critical environmental and energy builds.
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Housing Integration: Addressing affordable housing as a core infrastructure demand through regional collaboration.
Featured Speakers
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Kathryn Garcia (Executive Director, Port Authority NY/NJ)
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Kris Kolluri (President and CEO, NJ TRANSIT)
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Ed Potosnak (Commissioner, N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection)
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Julia Kerson (Deputy Mayor for Operations, New York City)
Registration
BuildIT Network and Guests receives a 20% Discount on registration pricing
Standard Pricing (begins August 15, 2026):
$600 for individual attendees
$385 for MWSDBE firms
$295 for government/agency personnel
