Schedule of Events
2026 Winter Technical Meeting
Schedule of Events
SAT., March 7, 2026
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Board of Directors Meeting
SUN., March 8, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Committee Meetings
Committee Meetings
Past President’s Reception
5 – 6 p.m.
First Timers’ Reception
6 – 8 p.m.
Opening Reception
MON., March 9, 2026
7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8 – 8:10 a.m.
Opening Remarks and President's Welcome
8:10 – 8:30 a.m.
50th Anniversary Opener
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Brett Laureys, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
50 Years of SWR Institute Fellowship: The Importance of Relationships
The most impactful benefit for SWR Institute members over the last 50 years has been fellowship. The relationships members develop at the bi-annual meetings, with committee involvement, and in leadership positions on the board have had a huge impact on the careers of so many members. During this session, learn about the value of relationships in the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration business, understand what is key for developing those relationships, and hear about the journey of a long-time member and how the involvement in the SWRI Institute has shaped his career.
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Ben Grandbois and Todd Gold, Sunbelt Waterproofing & Restoration
The Restoration Project of the San Antinio Botanical Gardens Conservatories
This presentation explores the restoration and full glass replacement of the San Antonio Botanical Garden Conservatories, a complex greenhouse project completed while the facility remained fully operational and open to the public. The work included replacing over 1,500 unique glass units and associated glazing joints, along with below-grade waterproofing, concrete repairs, and protective coating systems to extend the life of the structures. The session highlights technical and logistical challenges such as working without original drawings, recreating precise field measurements for uniquely shaped glass panels, and coordinating access through scaffolding, boom lifts, and specialized equipment. Attendees will gain insight into execution strategies, trade coordination, quality control requirements, and risk management considerations necessary to deliver large-scale specialty restoration work in an active, environmentally sensitive environment.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Spider by BrandSafway – Jim Dougherty
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Joe Berardi, Berardi Partners and Steve Coon, Coon Restoration
Historical Tax Credits: Why They Matter and How They Work
Gain a clear understanding of the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) process, the monetary value it brings to the developer, and how a strong grasp of this process allows you to effectively integrate into historic projects.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Jim Justus, Mosaic
Lessons Learned from a Post Tension Repair Project
Lessons learned from a supposedly simple painting and caulking project that turned into a much larger post tension repair project on an operating hotel at the beachfront. Topics covered include deficiencies in the initial engineering evaluations, contracting for a scope of work that drastically changed, contractor scheduling and change order pricing, how to work with all parties to get the best possible outcome, operating revenues and how that impacted the scheduling, physically performing the work, and a project summary.
Noon - Meeting adjourns
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Golf Tournament
TUES., March 10, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:30 – 8:40 a.m.
Opening Remarks
8:40 – 8:45 a.m.
Town Hall Meeting and Board Elections
8:45 – 8:50 a.m.
Rolling off Board Member Recognition
8:50– 9:05 a.m.
Project Award’s Ceremony
9:05 – 9:50 a.m.
Dan Cain, GDA and Panel Members
Growth Strategies for Specialty Trade Contractors
Where do we go from here and how do we get there? This will include a panel discussion with the leaders of small to larger businesses, family owned to investor backed companies.
9:50 – 10:05
EPRO Services, Inc., Scott Schendel
10:05 – 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
10:30– 10:45 a.m.
Inpro-Jointmaster, Justin Rice
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Nate Harres, WJE and Derek Baum, Otto Baum
Pay Now or Pay Later: Closing the Information Gap Between Conception and Construction
Unforeseen conditions are a leading cause of cost overruns and delays in construction. This presentation explores how gaps in existing-conditions information force designers and contractors to rely on assumptions, transferring risk downstream and increasing project uncertainty. Through a contractor–architect perspective, the session highlights practical strategies for improving investigation, reducing guesswork, and delivering more predictable project outcomes.
11:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.
Golf Tournament Winner Announcements
11:35 – Noon
Pass the Gavel and 50th Anniversary Ceremony
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Pass the Gavel Party
WED., March 11, 2026
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Mike Bates, Arc Restoration & Waterproofing
The Future of AI
This presentation explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in construction, drawing on two years of focused research into real-world applications. Topics include automating workflows, enhancing project management, optimizing safety protocols, and improving communication across teams and stakeholders. Attendees will gain insight into how AI can drive efficiency, reduce risk, and unlock new opportunities throughout the construction lifecycle.
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Tyler Logar, JCBI Engineers, Joseph Philips, Joseph B. Callaghan, Inc. and Matt Wills, Valcourt Building Services
From Assessment to Achievement: The Tower 2 Restoration Journey
How do you restore the facade of a 14-story occupied tower-balcony by balcony, joint by joint-while residents continue daily life inside? This session tells that story. Beginning with structural and envelope assessments that exposed widespread concrete deterioration, negative slopes, and failed sealants, we trace the project's transformation through design decisions, material testing, and repair mockups. Attendees will follow the real sequence of execution: scaffolding, cold-weather concreting, QA/QC checks, and collaboration between engineer, contractor, and manufacturer. The discussion doesn't shy away from failures, mistakes, and mid-course corrections, but highlights how lessons learned have elevated performance. With completion of Phase 3 by the end of 2025, this case study delivers unmatched insight into the scale, complexity, and value of high-rise restoration. Participants will leave with practical strategies, technical lessons, and a renewed appreciation for the discipline and collaboration required to deliver durable, warrantied results at this scale.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
SOPRMEA, Becca Turbeville
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Nupur Dube and Anthony Nicastro, SGH
Balancing Performance and Preservation: Strategies for Historic Metal Window Rehabilitation in Public Buildings
Preserving government and civic buildings presents unique challenges that often requires careful rehabilitation of the window assemblies to improve performance, including air- and water penetration resistance and energy efficiency, while maintaining architectural authenticity. This presentation focuses on historic metal windows in public buildings and discusses factors affecting the choice to restore or replace the windows to balance improved performance with preservation efforts. It discusses various methods for restoring, replacing, or supplementing existing historic windows, including the use of interior storm windows, the introduction of modern, concealed flashing materials, and condensation management techniques. The presentation focuses on the impact that each window rehabilitation approach can have on the overall performance of the assembly. The presentation will conclude by providing a guide for building owners, architects, and preservationists interested in making informed decisions when addressing metal window-related needs in historic government and civic buildings.
11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Closing Remarks
11:45 a.m.
Meeting Adjourns
Schedule of Events
SAT., March 7, 2026
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Board of Directors Meeting
SUN., March 8, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Committee Meetings
- Membership
- Technical Resources
- Affinity Program
Committee Meetings
- Program Planning
- Safety
- Validation
Past President’s Reception
5 – 6 p.m.
First Timers’ Reception
6 – 8 p.m.
Opening Reception
MON., March 9, 2026
7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8 – 8:10 a.m.
Opening Remarks and President's Welcome
8:10 – 8:30 a.m.
50th Anniversary Opener
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Brett Laureys, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
50 Years of SWR Institute Fellowship: The Importance of Relationships
The most impactful benefit for SWR Institute members over the last 50 years has been fellowship. The relationships members develop at the bi-annual meetings, with committee involvement, and in leadership positions on the board have had a huge impact on the careers of so many members. During this session, learn about the value of relationships in the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration business, understand what is key for developing those relationships, and hear about the journey of a long-time member and how the involvement in the SWRI Institute has shaped his career.
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Ben Grandbois and Todd Gold, Sunbelt Waterproofing & Restoration
The Restoration Project of the San Antinio Botanical Gardens Conservatories
This presentation explores the restoration and full glass replacement of the San Antonio Botanical Garden Conservatories, a complex greenhouse project completed while the facility remained fully operational and open to the public. The work included replacing over 1,500 unique glass units and associated glazing joints, along with below-grade waterproofing, concrete repairs, and protective coating systems to extend the life of the structures. The session highlights technical and logistical challenges such as working without original drawings, recreating precise field measurements for uniquely shaped glass panels, and coordinating access through scaffolding, boom lifts, and specialized equipment. Attendees will gain insight into execution strategies, trade coordination, quality control requirements, and risk management considerations necessary to deliver large-scale specialty restoration work in an active, environmentally sensitive environment.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Spider by BrandSafway – Jim Dougherty
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Joe Berardi, Berardi Partners and Steve Coon, Coon Restoration
Historical Tax Credits: Why They Matter and How They Work
Gain a clear understanding of the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) process, the monetary value it brings to the developer, and how a strong grasp of this process allows you to effectively integrate into historic projects.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Jim Justus, Mosaic
Lessons Learned from a Post Tension Repair Project
Lessons learned from a supposedly simple painting and caulking project that turned into a much larger post tension repair project on an operating hotel at the beachfront. Topics covered include deficiencies in the initial engineering evaluations, contracting for a scope of work that drastically changed, contractor scheduling and change order pricing, how to work with all parties to get the best possible outcome, operating revenues and how that impacted the scheduling, physically performing the work, and a project summary.
Noon - Meeting adjourns
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Golf Tournament
TUES., March 10, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:30 – 8:40 a.m.
Opening Remarks
8:40 – 8:45 a.m.
Town Hall Meeting and Board Elections
8:45 – 8:50 a.m.
Rolling off Board Member Recognition
8:50– 9:05 a.m.
Project Award’s Ceremony
9:05 – 9:50 a.m.
Dan Cain, GDA and Panel Members
Growth Strategies for Specialty Trade Contractors
Where do we go from here and how do we get there? This will include a panel discussion with the leaders of small to larger businesses, family owned to investor backed companies.
9:50 – 10:05
EPRO Services, Inc., Scott Schendel
10:05 – 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
10:30– 10:45 a.m.
Inpro-Jointmaster, Justin Rice
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Nate Harres, WJE and Derek Baum, Otto Baum
Pay Now or Pay Later: Closing the Information Gap Between Conception and Construction
Unforeseen conditions are a leading cause of cost overruns and delays in construction. This presentation explores how gaps in existing-conditions information force designers and contractors to rely on assumptions, transferring risk downstream and increasing project uncertainty. Through a contractor–architect perspective, the session highlights practical strategies for improving investigation, reducing guesswork, and delivering more predictable project outcomes.
11:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.
Golf Tournament Winner Announcements
11:35 – Noon
Pass the Gavel and 50th Anniversary Ceremony
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Pass the Gavel Party
WED., March 11, 2026
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Mike Bates, Arc Restoration & Waterproofing
The Future of AI
This presentation explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in construction, drawing on two years of focused research into real-world applications. Topics include automating workflows, enhancing project management, optimizing safety protocols, and improving communication across teams and stakeholders. Attendees will gain insight into how AI can drive efficiency, reduce risk, and unlock new opportunities throughout the construction lifecycle.
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Tyler Logar, JCBI Engineers, Joseph Philips, Joseph B. Callaghan, Inc. and Matt Wills, Valcourt Building Services
From Assessment to Achievement: The Tower 2 Restoration Journey
How do you restore the facade of a 14-story occupied tower-balcony by balcony, joint by joint-while residents continue daily life inside? This session tells that story. Beginning with structural and envelope assessments that exposed widespread concrete deterioration, negative slopes, and failed sealants, we trace the project's transformation through design decisions, material testing, and repair mockups. Attendees will follow the real sequence of execution: scaffolding, cold-weather concreting, QA/QC checks, and collaboration between engineer, contractor, and manufacturer. The discussion doesn't shy away from failures, mistakes, and mid-course corrections, but highlights how lessons learned have elevated performance. With completion of Phase 3 by the end of 2025, this case study delivers unmatched insight into the scale, complexity, and value of high-rise restoration. Participants will leave with practical strategies, technical lessons, and a renewed appreciation for the discipline and collaboration required to deliver durable, warrantied results at this scale.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
SOPRMEA, Becca Turbeville
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Nupur Dube and Anthony Nicastro, SGH
Balancing Performance and Preservation: Strategies for Historic Metal Window Rehabilitation in Public Buildings
Preserving government and civic buildings presents unique challenges that often requires careful rehabilitation of the window assemblies to improve performance, including air- and water penetration resistance and energy efficiency, while maintaining architectural authenticity. This presentation focuses on historic metal windows in public buildings and discusses factors affecting the choice to restore or replace the windows to balance improved performance with preservation efforts. It discusses various methods for restoring, replacing, or supplementing existing historic windows, including the use of interior storm windows, the introduction of modern, concealed flashing materials, and condensation management techniques. The presentation focuses on the impact that each window rehabilitation approach can have on the overall performance of the assembly. The presentation will conclude by providing a guide for building owners, architects, and preservationists interested in making informed decisions when addressing metal window-related needs in historic government and civic buildings.
11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Closing Remarks
11:45 a.m.
Meeting Adjourns
