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AGC WebEd: Building the Future: The Data Center Construction Playbook Strategies for Successfully Delivering the Industry's Fastest-Growing Projects

October 6, 2026 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM (HST)

Description


This webinar will be viewed at the GCA Conference. No link will be provided.

Webinar 1: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST
Webinar 2: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST
Webinar 3: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST
Webinar 4: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST
Webinar 5: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT)  | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST

Webinar Series Description:

Data center construction has rapidly become one of the most dynamic and demanding sectors of the construction industry. Projects are larger, schedules are faster, owners have higher expectations, and the risks—from workforce shortages and compressed schedules to financing, insurance, permitting, and community opposition—are unlike those found on traditional commercial projects.

Whether you are evaluating your first data center opportunity or looking to strengthen an established program, this five-part webinar series provides a practical roadmap for successfully planning, pursuing, building, and delivering data center projects. Featuring perspectives from general contractors, specialty contractors, owners, insurers, and subject-matter experts, each session explores real-world lessons learned, emerging trends, and actionable strategies that organizations can apply immediately.

Participants will also be introduced to AGC's growing Data Center Construction Resource Center, providing access to tools, guidance, and resources that extend learning beyond each webinar.

By the end of this series, participants will be able to:

  • Evaluate the opportunities and risks associated with entering the data center construction market.
  • Identify the operational, financial, environmental, and workforce considerations unique to data center projects. 
  • Apply proven strategies for managing safety, risk, and project execution on accelerated, high-value projects. 
  • Utilize practical tools and industry resources to improve project planning and delivery. 

Webinar One: The State of Data Center Construction: Market Trends, Growth Opportunities, and What's Next
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST

Driven by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and the ever-increasing demand for digital infrastructure, data center construction has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. construction industry. But where is the market today, where is it headed, and what does that mean for contractors looking to grow their business?  

This opening session provides a comprehensive look at the current state of the data center construction market, including where projects are being built, what is driving investment, and how the industry is expected to evolve over the coming years. Panelists will discuss emerging market trends, geographic hot spots, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and material procurement challenges, and the opportunities available to general contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, and service providers.

Whether you are already active in the market or exploring your first data center project, this session will provide the context needed to understand where opportunities exist—and how to position your organization for success.

By the end of webinar one, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the major trends driving growth in the U.S. data center construction market.
  • Identify the geographic regions and market sectors experiencing the greatest investment.
  • Evaluate emerging opportunities for contractors, specialty contractors, and construction service providers.
  • Assess how supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and material procurement challenges can impact project cost, schedule, and risk.
  • Recognize the market factors likely to shape data center construction over the next five years.

Speakers: Eric Gaus, Chief Economist, Dodge Construction Network
Brian Lewandowski, Executive Director, Business Research Division, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder
Moderator: Kenneth D. Simonson, Chief Economist, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America 

Webinar Two: Winning Before You Build: Managing Financial, Contractual, and Project Risk
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST  

Data center projects often involve billion-dollar investments, compressed procurement schedules, and complex contractual relationships. This session explores the legal, financial, and risk management considerations that every contractor should understand before signing a contract.

Industry experts will discuss contractual risks like builder's risk insurance, financing structures, subcontractor default risk, supply chain challenges, tariffs, stored materials, and strategies for protecting organizations from costly surprises.

By the end of webinar two, participants will be able to:

  • Evaluate the financial, contractual, and insurance risks associated with pursuing and delivering large-scale data center construction projects.
  • Identify key considerations related to builder's risk insurance, financing structures, contractor qualification, and bonding that influence project viability.
  • Assess how subcontractor default can impact project cost, schedule, and risk.
  • Apply strategies for allocating and managing project risk through effective contract provisions, insurance planning, and preconstruction due diligence.

Speakers: Ronald D. Ciotti, Partner, Hinckley, Allen and Snyder LLP
Joe Poliafico, CSP, Director - Client Experience, The Baldwin Group
Moderator: Liza Hall, Counsel, Construction and Insurance Law, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America

Webinar Three: Getting Started: Navigating Permitting, Regulatory Challenges, and Contracting Strategies 
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST  

Successfully delivering a data center project requires more than managing construction operations. Environmental permitting, evolving regulations, community concerns, and owner responsibilities can significantly influence project success long before work begins. This session explores the permitting landscape, recent regulatory developments, and contracting strategies for minimizing permitting delays and project risk.

By the end of webinar three, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the key environmental permitting, regulatory, and infrastructure requirements that can affect data center construction projects.
  • Assess owner and contractor responsibilities for environmental compliance and due diligence throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Develop approaches to anticipate and manage external factors—including permitting delays, regulatory changes, and infrastructure constraints—that may impact project schedule, cost, and successful delivery.
  • Identify opposition strategies affecting data center development and contract language that can protect you.

Speakers: Chet Love, Managing Partner, Cornerstone Group International
Ronald Williams, Partner and Co-Chair, Fox Rothschild’s Construction Law Group
Moderator: Spencer Phillips, Counsel, Regulatory and Litigation Advocacy, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America

Webinar Four: Building at Hyper Speed: Safety, Workforce, and Operational Excellence
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST  

Compressed schedules, overlapping trades, rapidly expanding workforces, and remote jobsite locations create safety and operational challenges unlike those on traditional projects. This session examines how leading contractors are adapting their safety programs and field operations to successfully manage these demanding environments.

Panelists will share practical approaches for coordinating multiple trades, maintaining safety culture during rapid growth, ensuring workforce competency, improving emergency preparedness, and leveraging innovative technologies to protect workers.

By the end of webinar four, participants will be able to:

  • Assess the operational and safety challenges associated with accelerated data center construction schedules, including trade stacking and rapid workforce expansion.
  • Apply strategies to strengthen workforce competency, safety leadership, and subcontractor coordination on high-demand projects.
  • Evaluate emergency preparedness and medical response considerations for remote or resource-limited project locations.
  • Identify emerging technologies, equipment, and innovative practices that can improve safety and operational performance on data center construction projects.

Speakers: Paul Duke, Corporate Safety Director, Holder Construction Company
Lee W. Gream, MS, CSP, Safety Director, Faith Technologies, Inc.
Rocky Rowlett, Vice President, Safety, Faith Technologies, Inc.
Moderator: Kevin Cannon, CSP, ARM, Senior Director, Safety, Health, and Risk Management, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America

Webinar Five: Building Community Support for Data Center Projects
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) | 8:00 am - 9:30 am HST  

Community engagement can play a critical role in whether a proposed data center project moves forward. As communities raise questions about land use, infrastructure, environmental impacts, and other local concerns, contractors, owners, and developers must be prepared to communicate transparently and engage stakeholders early in the process.

This session explores strategies for building community awareness, trust, and support for data center projects. Panelists will share approaches for conducting community outreach and listening sessions, identifying and building coalitions of project supporters, and responding to community concerns through project design and construction planning. The discussion will also examine how local land use laws and approval processes can influence a project's ability to move forward.

By the end of webinar five, participants will be able to:

  • Identify strategies for building community awareness, trust, and support for proposed data center projects.
  • Apply effective approaches for community outreach, listening sessions, coalition building, and transparent communication throughout the design and construction process.
  • Evaluate community feedback and identify opportunities to address local concerns through project design, construction planning, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Explain how local land use laws, planning processes, and approval requirements can influence the development and approval of data center projects.

Speakers: Stephen Buckley, Ambassador, IAP2 USA
Cecilia A. Dvorak, CEO, Steadfast City Economic and Community Partners
Moderator: Brian Turmail, Vice President, Association and Industry Image, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America

Time

October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 4, 2026

Location

GCA Conference Room

This webinar series will be viewed at the GCA Conference. No link will be provided.

Pricing

Price: Member $100 | Non-member $125

Includes snacks and beverage.


Cancellation Policy: A full refund will be given to cancellations made 5 calendar days prior to the class kick-off. After such time, no refunds will be given. Replacements are acceptable and must be submitted via email to gca@gcahawaii.org.

GCA reserves the right to cancel programs up to 5 days prior to the start date if a minimum number of attendees is not met.

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Contact Information

General Contractors Association of Hawaii
Name: Gladys Hagemann
Phone: (808) 386-2014
Email: gladys@gcahawaii.org
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