2027 CSI NORTH CENTRAL REGION CONFERENCE
EDUCATION & SPEAKERS
Knowledge you can put to work.
Perspectives that move the conversation forward.
The 2027 CSI NCR Conference education program is taking shape. We’re pleased to begin sharing the topics and speakers already confirmed for Chicago, with additional session details, speaker information and scheduling to be announced as the program continues to develop.
FEATURED KEYNOTES
Meet Our Confirmed Keynote Speakers
Two of three keynote programs are confirmed, with our third keynote announcement still to come.
THURSDAY, MAY 6 · OPENING KEYNOTE
Scott Conwell, FCSI, CDT, FAIA, ALA, LEED AP
Director of Industry Development
International Masonry Institute
Synergize! Leveraging Partnerships to Make Better Buildings
Explore how breaking down traditional team boundaries and leveraging partnerships across design, construction, and manufacturing can improve building quality and lead to better project outcomes.
FRIDAY, MAY 7 · CLOSING KEYNOTE
Lona Rerick, RA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, LEED Fellow
Designing the Future Together: Resilience, Materials, and Specifications
Firmwide Director of Regenerative Design Materials
Perkins&Will
Explore how material choices, thoughtful specifications, and cross-disciplinary collaboration can turn ambitious environmental and health goals into meaningful, buildable outcomes and a more resilient built environment.
CONFIRMED EDUCATION SESSIONS
Education Programs & Speakers
Explore the education sessions and speakers confirmed for the 2027 CSI NCR Conference. Additional program information and scheduling will be added as details are finalized.
Social Media for Architects and Specifiers
Dory Azar
Architect and Content Creator · RIB Software
Learn practical strategies for creating relevant content, engaging your audience, and building a sustainable social media presence that supports your professional goals.
Four the Hard Way:
Lessons Learned in Construction Administration and Passing on Knowledge to the Next Generation of Architects
Jeremy Olsen, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, NCARB, LEED AP
Kari Berg, AIA
Sofia Linares, Assoc. AIA
UrbanWorks
Through project successes, setbacks, and lessons learned, explore practical approaches to reducing risk, improving communication and collaboration, and passing valuable construction administration knowledge to the next generation.
Specifying the BECx Testing Regimen
Peter Babaian, S.E., CSI
Robin Wood, P.E.
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Explore how to select, specify, and implement building enclosure testing that supports quality assurance, verifies performance, and aligns testing requirements with project goals and risk.
The Test Methods for Roof System Design
Jason Conley, CSI
Building Design Manager · GAF Building & Roofing Science
Explore how wind, fire, and hail resistance are evaluated and applied to roof-system design, helping design professionals specify assemblies for greater resilience, durability, and occupant safety.
Drawing and Specification Coordination Issues: Bridging Interior Designers, Architects/Engineers, and Specification Writers
Stephen Gantner, AIA, CSI, SCIP, CDT, CCS, CCCA
Executive Vice-President · Conspectus, Inc.
Learn practical approaches for improving coordination among interior designers, architects, engineers, and specification writers to reduce document conflicts and improve project quality from design through construction.
Stories Written in Brick & Stone:
A Chicago Walking Tour with Jim Lucas
Jim Lucas, CSI
President · JN Lucas & Associates, Inc.
Step outside the conference room for an interactive tour exploring the successes, challenges, and performance stories behind some of downtown Chicago’s recognizable facades and construction details.
Behind the Specs: A Day in the Life of a Spec Writer
Panel Discussion · Moderated by Brad Schwab, CSI, CDT
Principal · Schwab Group
Go behind the scenes of specification practice through stories, lessons learned, and audience-driven discussion exploring product research, risk management, coordination, manufacturer engagement, technology, and the many roles today’s specifiers play.
Below Grade Waterproofing Constructability and Quality Assurance
Corey S. Zussman, AIA, NCARB, ALA
Vice President – Quality Assurance & Quality Control · AECOM Hunt
Learn how early coordination, accurate detailing of critical transitions, and a clear understanding of substrate conditions can reduce constructability problems and support more durable, watertight below-grade assemblies.
Designing, Detailing, Delivering: Lessons Learned
John Birazzi, AIA, CSI, BECxP
Associate Principal · Antunovich Associates
Drawing on 45 years of experience, John Birazzi shares hard-earned lessons about building systems, constructability, detailing, specifications, coordination, and the technical decisions that ultimately shape real-world project outcomes.
Building Your Construction Knowledge Base: Understanding CSI Certifications
Paul Fogarty, CSI, CCPR, CDT
President & CEO · WestWood USA
Explore CSI’s certification program and how its credentials can help building professionals deepen their construction knowledge, expand their expertise, and become more effective project-team contributors.
Looking Beyond Code Language:
Practical Limitations of Airtightness Testing
Denali Jones, PE
Technical Director · Air Barrier Association of America
Understand today’s whole-building air leakage testing requirements, the strengths and limitations of different test methods, and how airtightness testing can become a useful tool for improving building performance.
Sustainable Specs:
A Framework for Implementing Passive Building Standards
Maria Raggousis, P.E., CPHC
Senior Consulting Engineer – Building Technology · Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Explore how thoughtful specifications can help project teams navigate passive-building requirements, clearly define performance expectations, and verify that ambitious sustainability goals are achieved in the field.
Design Considerations for Reroofing
Jason Wilen, AIA, NCARB, CDT, RRO
Principal · Klein & Hoffman
Explore the technical, design, and specification decisions behind successful reroofing projects—from evaluating existing conditions and code requirements to selecting assemblies, detailing transitions, and planning for long-term performance.
HOST CHAPTER
Questions?
If you have questions about an existing purchase, registration, or conference participation, please contact us at administration@csichicago.org or 773-466-4147.