by Jessica Gillette | Jun 2, 2026
How to Collaborate in the Pull Planning Process
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 8:00AM – 3:00PM
“Awesome class, outstanding all around. Best I’ve been to at ABC-VA to date!” -Colin Miller, General Superintendent, TEEL Construction
Learn how to use the Collaborative Pull Planning Process that has proven to yield better and more reliable schedules. No computers are used in this very “hands-on” workshop. Participants learning it by doing it.
This valuable planning and managing technique is used around the world, and it is rapidly being adopted in all types of projects from very large to very small. From the overall master planner, to the foreman in the field – these schedules are more than just wallpaper. The foremen actually help create and follow the plan.
Participants will learn how to the integrate the Master Schedule, the Phase Pull, the Look Ahead, Constraints, and the Weekly work plan. Additionally, participants will learn to monitor and measure how well the teams follow the plan through PPC tracking – altogether on the wall with sticky notes – no computer required!
This workshop is perfect for executives, project managers, superintendents and foremen.
INSTRUCTOR
Tom Patton, Project Management Services Bureau
LOCATION
ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility
42680 Trade West Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
COST
Members: $275
Non-Member: $375
Breakfast and lunch provided
SUBSTITUTION/CANCELLATION POLICY
Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) can no longer attend. A reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made 48 hours in advance.
QUESTIONS?
Jenny Tashjian
by Jessica Gillette | Jun 2, 2026
THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE WORKSHOP
Wednesday, September 30 – Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Habits are powerful forces in our lives that determine our level of effectiveness or ineffectiveness. The purpose of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, based on principles detailed in Stephen Covey’s popular self-help book, is to help you lead your life in a truly effective way. They represent a proven process of personal and interpersonal growth that can have an immediate and lasting impact. Gain a personal plan of action to enhance your productivity and leadership skills.
Benefits of Attending:
Dr. Stephen R. Covey was a global leadership authority. His international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, was named one of the 10 most influential management books ever by Forbes magazine and is the bestselling audio book in history.
This two-day, intensive course will help you:
• Execute critical priorities with focus and planning
• End self-defeating behavior
• Develop strong relationships based on mutual trust
• Be prepared to deal with difficult circumstances before they happen
• Increase team engagement, morale and collaboration
• Create a highly effective culture based on core values
• Raise up the next leaders who model competence and character
Join ABC-VA for two days of interactive discussion on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Learn how to use the seven habits to strengthen both professional and personal development. This renowned class will leave you feeling energized, refreshed and ready to take on the world with a new perspective.
PRE-WORK REQUIRED: Attendees will be sent a 360-degree survey to send to supervisors, colleagues, industry peers, friends and the like. Register early to make sure you have plenty of time for your surveys to be completed!
“A class everyone (at every level) should complete. I took so much from this and work to apply it to my life every day!” -Juliane Faller, Senior Business Development Manager, Balfour Beatty US
• Recommended but not required reading: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
• Information on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/
• Information on Dr. Stephen R. Covey and The 7 Habits: https://www.stephencovey.com/
INSTRUCTOR
Patrick Dean, ABC Virginia
LOCATION
ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility
42680 Trade West Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
COST
Members: $575
Non-Members: $795
Includes light breakfast, lunch and course materials
REGISTRATION / CANCELLATION DEADLINE
September 23, 2026 by 5PM
Please note: a reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made one (1) week in advance. Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) can no longer attend.
COURSE CONTACT
Jenny Tashjian
by Jessica Gillette | Jun 1, 2026
BALANCING DETAIL & RISK: PRECONSTRUCTION PEER GROUP DISCUSSION
Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 8:00AM – 9:30AM
Balancing Detail and Risk: How Contractors are Structuring Lump Sum, Pre-Bid SOVs and GMP Breakdowns
How much detail is too much and when does it start working against you?
Join industry peers for a practical discussion on how contractors are navigating increasing GC and owner demands for pricing transparency. This session will explore real-world approaches to structuring Lump Sum, Pre-Bid SOVs, and GMP breakdowns while protecting margin, managing risk, and maintaining a competitive edge.
We’ll be discussing:
– Evolving expectations for cost breakdowns
– Risks of over-disclosure in bids and GMPs
– Strategies to structure SOVs without giving away leverage
– Lessons learned from the field
Come ready to share your experience and walk away with actionable strategies you can apply immediately.
Who should attend: Estimators, Sales & Business Development, anyone with an interest in learning more about preconstruction
Light breakfast provided
SPEAKERS
Nathan Karr, Business Development Executive, Atlantic Constructors, Inc.
Monty Lay, Director of Preconstruction, ColonialWebb Contractors
Shane Oberholtzer, President, eTEC Mechanical Corporation
LOCATION
ABC-VA Central Virginia Training Facility
1600 E Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
COST
Members – $40
Non-Members – $80
SUBSTITUTION/CANCELLATION POLICY
Substitutions are always welcome if the originally registered individual(s) can no longer attend. Written notice to cancel and receive a refund must be received by 5PM on Monday, July 13, 2026.
Questions?
Contact Kristen Altermatt
by Jessica Gillette | May 27, 2026
BEGINNER EXCEL FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 1:30PM – 3:30PM
Maximize the power of an Excel spreadsheet to assist you with every day construction tasks like workforce scheduling, estimating, and data analysis. We’ll be demonstrating:
– Basic functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
– Conditional functions (IF, AND, OR, NOT)
– Lookup and calculate functions using tables of data
– Spreadsheet collaboration – sharing files with multiple users
– Protecting formulas from inadvertent changes or edits – defining, locking, and unlocking cells
– Linking spreadsheets together to combine data from multiple sources
– How to create basic charts and graphs
This is a hands-on learning class – bring your laptop (with a copy of Excel pre-loaded), a mouse, and a power cord to class.
INSTRUCTOR – Eric Rash, Submittal Manager, Heartland Construction, Inc.
As Submittal Manager, Eric is responsible for overseeing the submission and approval process of technical documents, including shop drawings, product data, and samples for construction projects. This role involves ensuring all submittals comply with project specifications and contract requirements, coordinating with architects, engineers, contractors, and suppliers to facilitate effective communication and timely approvals.
LOCATION
ABC-VA Hampton Roads Training Facility
530 Independence Parkway, Suite 500, Chesapeake, VA 23320
COST
Members — $67
Non-members — $97
Lunch provided
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that a reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made 48 hours in advance. Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) are no longer available.
COURSE CONTACT
Contact Meredith Strahan
![Changes Made and Changes Looming for Small Business Contractors 7/21 [Virtual]](https://www.abcva.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Changes-Made-Changes-Looming-July-21-1080x675.jpg)
by Jessica Gillette | May 27, 2026
CHANGES MADE AND CHANGES LOOMING FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTORS
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM | Virtual
The Federal Small Business Administration and now also the Federal Department of Transportation have already made and are further considering additional changes affecting program eligibility. This program will discuss those changes and their current and expected impacts on small businesses and others working with them.
SPEAKERS
Neil Lowenstein and Tom Barrow, members of the Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black Construction and Government Contract Practice Group. Both Neil and Tom regularly assist clients balance the competing demands of project stakeholders, regulatory officials, and community interests as they relate to federal projects, including the various federal small business programs.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Contractors looking to learn about or better understand these small and disadvantaged business programs and how they are reshaping those programs’ missions
LOCATION
Virtual
Link to be sent to attendees within 12 hours of webinar
COST
Members — $30
Non-Members — $60
Questions?
Contact Meredith Strahan
