Chicago - Commercial Construction Forum

Chicago Commercial Construction Forum

September 24, 2026, Obama Library - Chicago, IL

The projects defining Chicago's future require strong coordination, smarter execution, and reliable trade partnerships.

Oboma Image

Join us for a half-day forum on the future of commercial construction in Chicago. This exclusive event brings together leaders in development, design, and construction to discuss trends shaping the city’s next generation of projects.

Members of the Obama Presidential Center construction team will share firsthand insight into the coordination, sequencing, and material demands behind one of Chicago’s most significant projects. They will provide a practical look at how complex natural stone, tile, and masonry systems are executed to achieve design intent while maintaining constructability, schedule, and performance.

Beyond the program content, this forum aims to strengthen relationships within Chicago’s commercial construction community. You’ll connect with leading developers, construction managers, designers, and BAC signatory contractors as we explore the value of early collaboration and build stronger working relationships.

Who can Attend

Commercial real estate developers, commercial building contractors, owners-agencies, and public stewards of large-scale civic, educational, environmental, and recreational facilities. Participation is limited, with priority given to professionals in these roles.

Agenda

8:15–8:45 a.m. | Networking Breakfast
8:45–9:30 a.m. | Welcome & Opening Keynote
9:30–10:30 a.m. | Design & Construction of the Obama Presidential Center
10:30–11 a.m. | Networking Break
11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Delivering Quality Through Collaboration: A Look at the New McDonald's Field Soccer Stadium
12-1 p.m. | Networking Lunch & Closing Keynote
1 p.m. | Conclusion

Where

The Barack Obama Presidential Center
6001 S Stony Island Ave
Chicago, IL 60637

Cost

While the event is free, registration is required by Friday, September 4, 2026.

Inside the Panels

Design & Construction of the Obama Presidential Center
Explore the design and construction of the Museum Tower’s distinctive granite exterior at the Obama Presidential Center, one of the most technically complex projects underway in Chicago. You’ll hear how the architect, general contractor, and stone installation contractor worked together to bring the tower’s façade to life. Learn how the team approached stone selection, developed panel design and detailing, and used shop drawings to translate architectural intent into a buildable system. You’ll also see how close coordination among project partners shaped the exterior wall assembly to support durability, constructability, and long-term performance, offering practical insight into delivering complex façade systems through strong collaboration between design and construction teams.

Delivering Quality Through Collaboration: A Look at the New McDonald’s Field Soccer Stadium
Development and construction team members behind Chicago’s new McDonald’s Field will discuss the vision, planning, engineering, and coordination required to deliver a large-scale commercial project within The 78, Chicago’s transformative mixed-use riverfront development.

Using real-world examples from the stadium and other major projects, panelists will explore how collaboration between owners, developers, general contractors, and trade partners supports smoother project delivery, stronger coordination, proactive problem-solving, and higher-quality outcomes. The discussion will also highlight the value of early trade partner engagement and effective communication across the project team.

ABOUT THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

The Obama Presidential Center is a multi-building campus taking shape in Chicago’s historic Jackson Park on the city’s South Side. The development includes the Obama Presidential Museum, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a forum building designed for community programs and events, and new park and plaza spaces intended to reconnect visitors with the nearby landscape.

Designed to act as both a cultural destination and a civic gathering place, the campus will host exhibitions, public programming, educational initiatives, and community events showing the legacy of the Obama presidency and its emphasis on civic participation.

The project also represents a significant construction effort, including approximately 190,000 square feet of natural stone across the campus, with major exterior and interior installations enhancing the architectural character of the buildings. During the forum, members of the project’s construction team will share insights into the coordination and planning required to deliver a project of this scale. You’ll gain perspective on the collaboration, craftsmanship, and problem-solving involved in bringing this nationally significant project from concept to reality.

Photos courtesy of Antonio Dickey

About the Speakers

Complete list of speakers coming soon.

Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Scott Conwell is a licensed architect and Director of Industry Development with the International Masonry Institute. A leader in the tile and stone community, he is active in the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) education committee, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) handbook committee, the Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA), and the ANSI committee for tile standards. He is also on the board of directors of the Association of Licensed Architects (ALA). In recognition of his educational contributions to the national design community, Scott has been made a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and a Fellow of the Construction Specifications Institute (FCSI). With over 30,000 followers on LinkedIn, over a million post engagements per year, and new posts every week, Scott is an influencer among design professionals in the realm of social media.

Sandya Dandamudi
President, GI stone

Sandya Dandamudi is President of GI Stone, a Chicago-based stone contractor founded more than 30 years ago and recognized for delivering complex interior and exterior stonework across major commercial projects. Under her leadership, the company has contributed to high-profile developments, including the Obama Presidential Center, St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, and The Four Seasons Hotel. Known for her practical expertise and results-driven approach, Sandya helps guide projects from concept through installation while maintaining a strong commitment to craftsmanship and collaboration across trades. She also serves on the Board of the Chicago Marble Contractors Association and actively supports apprenticeship training through Marble Setters Union Local 21. Beyond her professional work, Sandya is committed to mentorship and community engagement, promoting opportunities within the construction industry and supporting initiatives that strengthen education, arts, and social services.

Edward Drobnick,PE
Project Manager and Director of Safety, Cleveland Marble Mosaic Company

Edward W. Drobnick is a Professional Engineer with more than 30 years of experience in construction, field operations, and jobsite safety. Since joining Cleveland Marble in 1998, he has progressed through key roles, including Project Engineer and Superintendent, before advancing into senior leadership positions. In his role supporting safety initiatives, Edward has earned his OSHA 30-hour certification and helped strengthen company-wide safety practices, supporting improved Experience Modification Rates (EMR), including 0.48 in Ohio and 0.91 nationally.

Throughout his career, Edward has supported and led a wide range of complex commercial, healthcare, and institutional projects across the country, including the Obama Presidential Center, Cleveland Clinic facilities, Soldier Field, Willis Tower Transformation, and multiple Northwestern University developments. Known for his practical expertise and results-driven approach, he helps guide projects from preconstruction through completion, ensuring quality, coordination, and safety at every stage.

Brett Charles Taylor, AIA
Principal, Gensler

Brett brings a deep expertise in managing complex mixed-use, office, and multifamily residential projects. He has been instrumental in the delivery of numerous large-scale, award-winning development projects in Chicago, the U.S. and Internationally. Most notably he has worked on the 78 Development, 360 & 333 N Green Street, ONE Central, E.M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, United Nations HQ Geneva, and King Abdullah Economic City. Brett earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture from Norwich University, a military college, where he served on the Board of Fellows.

Ann Thompson, FAIA
Executive Vice President of Architecture & Design, Related Midwest

Ann is a licensed architect and recognized industry leader who leads architecture, urban planning, interior design, and engineering teams on transformative mixed-use developments throughout Chicago and beyond. Her work includes major projects such as The 78, the redevelopment of the historic Lathrop community, and Quantum Shore Chicago, which will house one of the world’s largest quantum computing facilities.

Thompson is active in the architectural and civic community through leadership roles with the Chicago Architecture Center, Driehaus Foundation, and academic advisory boards for the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In recognition of her contributions to architecture and design leadership, she was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), one of the profession’s highest honors.

BECOME A SPONSOR

If your organization is interested in aligning with Chicago’s commercial construction leaders, visit our sponsorship page to view available opportunities and learn how your company can participate.

Industry Partner

Questions

For questions or more information, contact Scott Conwell at sconwell@imiweb.org or (312) 857-5667.

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