2022 Design-Build Conference & Expo
Andrée Blais and Nancy Smith spoke during the Design-Build Institute of America’s (DBIA) 2022 Design-Build Conference & Expo that took place in Las Vegas, NV from November 1-4, 2022.
During the “Intro to Public-Private Partnerships (P3)” presentation, Andrée and her fellow panelists discussed how to prepare design-builders for their role in P3 projects by providing insight into the financial and legal workings of P3 models, outlined many of the risks and opportunities for all interested parties, discussed the procurement process and project execution and how the P3 approach differs from design-build projects and addressed other aspects of the P3 concept in a level of detail targeted towards design-build professionals.
During “Selecting and Using an Owner Advisor in Design-Build,” Nancy and other industry professionals elaborated on why an owner should use an owner advisor for design-build projects, what role they play and why it matters. This session explored the critical role an owner advisor plays on design-build projects. Panelists explored what an owner advisor is, the value they bring to design-build projects and how an owner advisor interacts with the design-build team.
Nancy also participated on the panel “The Path to Design-Build Legislative Authority.” In 1993, when DBIA was established, there were only three states authorized to use design-build. Today, there are only two holdouts, and the past two years have been the most successful legislative period in DBIA’s history. More than four hundred bills were introduced across the country to preserve, protect and expand design-build authority at all levels of government. This session dove into the history of design-build legislation, the status of design-build authority and legislation and emerging trends across sectors and states.