Keys to managing your business during these dynamic economic times
Presented by: Trimble, SITECH
Our in-person event offers insight into managing your construction business through rapidly changing times. You'll learn from industry experts across a range of hot topics, including:
- Current economic outlook and tariffs, so you’ll better understand what to pay attention to, and best practices to stay ahead
- Optimizing equipment and fleet utilization, so you can track your assets effectively, manage expenses, and turn your fleet into a profit center
- Approaches to forecasting revenue and costs, to give you a competitive advantage with insightful projections
- Answers to your biggest challenges during an interactive Q&A panel with industry leaders
- Connect and network with other civil construction professionals, so you can stay in-the-know, share insights, and learn from fellow industry leaders
Event Details
Location: San Ramon Marriott
Date: Thursday, Sept. 4
Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Registration 10:30)
Address: 2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, CA, 94583
Cost: Free
Lunch: Included
Agenda
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:30 | Registration |
| 11:00 | Welcome Remarks Patrick Allen, VP - Trimble |
| 11:15 | Equipment Utilization: Put Your Equipment to Work Michael Kelley, President - Silvertrek Systems An old adage in the construction industry is "Any unused machine is not an asset, it is a liability.” Equipment is often the single largest portion of a heavy civil contractor's balance sheet, but the best way to put the machines to work remains a bit of a dark art. Through real-world examples and the philosophy taught by Dr. Mike Vorster in his book Construction Equipment Economics V2, this session will teach the principles that company managers can use to put their yellow iron to work and keep it working. |
| 12:30 | Break |
| 12:45 | Foundations of the Future: A Financial Perspective on Today’s Construction Landscape Brian Kassalen, CCIFP, Principle - Baker Tilly Contractors today are building in a high-stakes environment shaped by rising tariffs, persistent labor shortages, and the rapid emergence of AI-driven technologies. This presentation takes a clear-eyed look at the financial challenges facing contractors—squeezed margins, unpredictable material costs, and tightening timelines—while also highlighting where opportunity lies. We’ll explore how shifting trade policies and global supply chains are impacting project costs, how AI is transforming estimating and scheduling, and how contractors can strategically address workforce gaps. With practical insights and forward-looking financial strategies, this session is designed to help contractors stay competitive, adapt to change, and lay a more profitable foundation for the future. |
| 1:30 | Panel: Get answers to your most pressing accounting and financial pain points Michael Kelley, President Silvertrek Systems Brian Kassalen, CCIFP Principal - Baker Tilly Patrick Allen, VP Trimble David Larsson, VP SITECH |
| 2:00 | Networking and refreshments. Mingle with accounting and economic domain experts. Spend time at our Construction Technology Pavilion and talk to experts in the fields of Accounting, Project Management, Estimating and Site Positioning Hardware. |
About the Experts
Michael Kelley, President – Silvertrek
Michael Kelley is the 15 year long president of Silvertrek Systems. Michael is an extroverted and passionate problem-solving CPA who enjoys getting to the root of an issue and creating a solution (preferably automated). He’s a certified Vista Implementer, an accounting wizard, and a passionate educator. He has spent the last 20 years working in accounting in the construction industry. At Silvertrek, Michael has overseen more than 100 ERP implementations. He teaches the certification course based on Dr. Mike Vorster’s book, Construction Equipment Economics V2. Through conversations with hundreds of equipment management professionals, Michael has gained a love for building world class asset management programs.
Brian Kassalen, CCIFP, Principle – Baker Tilly
Brian Kassalen is a principal with Baker Tilly and serves as the construction industry leader. He has been in public accounting since 1998 and leads a team of professionals who provide audit, tax and advisory services to clients in the real estate and construction industry. Brian provides leadership and strategic direction in areas of growth and team member development to the firm's construction-focused partners and team members.
Register here
for the Heavy/Civil Construction Symposium
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