Building NC Conference

2026

From our 2025 Event:

As the demands on our infrastructure intensify, our Building NC conference is designed to provide invaluable insights into building the bedrock for a thriving, adaptable, and interconnected North Carolina.

Venture into the dynamic terrain of our state’s infrastructure and chart the path forward as we steer our networks through the challenges posed by our surging population and unparalleled growth. We will discuss the advances that are reshaping the energy and water, sewer, and solid waste landscapes, explore the critical need for statewide broadband and workforce housing access, and dive into the strategies, innovations, and policies required to ensure that our state remains competitive on the national and global stage.

Join us and network with industry trailblazers, policy makers, and visionaries driving innovation who are forging the infrastructure future of North Carolina!

Agenda

Thursday, April 17

8:30 am	Registration Open, Networking, and Pop-Up Session
9:00 am	Welcome Remarks Meredith Archie, SVP of External Affairs, NC Chamber; and President, NC Chamber Foundation
9:15 am	Rebuilding Western NC: Helene Recovery Kit Cramer, President & CEO, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Tim Anderson, PE, Division Engineer, NC Department of Transportation Senator Timothy D. Moffitt, North Carolina General Assembly Moderator: Jake Cashion, Vice President of Government Affairs, NC Chamber
10:00 am	Networking Break and Pop-Up Session Water Supply – Dana Magliola, Senior Director of Infrastructure Competitiveness, NC Chamber Foundation
10:30 am	The Nuclear Roadmap: Unlocking Economic Opportunity Jhansi Kandasamy, Vice President of Regulatory and External Affairs, The Nuclear Company
11:15 am	Lunch and Networking
12:00 pm	Quick Hit: North Carolina Transportation Funding Public Perception Study Dr. Daniel Findley, Associate Director, Institute for Transportation Research and Education, NC State University
12:15 pm	Shaping the Future: Strategies for Transportation and Infrastructure Development Joey Hopkins, P.E., Secretary, NC Department of Transportation Katie Rowen, SVP, Chief Administrative Officer, Vontier Corporation Jim Ray, Corporate President, HNTB Corporation Moderator: Representative Erin Paré, North Carolina General Assembly
1:15 pm	Networking Break and Pop-Up Session Addressing North Carolina’s Housing Needs – Patrick Bowen, President and Owner, Bowen National Research
1:45 pm	Building Strong Foundations: The Role of Infrastructure in Economic Growth Trish Haver, Chief Commercial Officer, North Carolina Railroad Company Kevin McLaughlin, Vice President, Government Affairs and External Relations, Duke Energy Moderator: Dan Gerlach, Consultant, Dan Gerlach, LLC
2:30 pm	Closing Remarks