CSI National Conference 2026

Phoenix, Arizona.

Specifiers and construction documentation professionals who develop building specifications and standards.

Mark Begich, former U.S. Senator and Anchorage Mayor, was scheduled to keynote on workforce development and the built environment. Nora Burns, Chief Curiosity Officer at The Leadership Experts, was scheduled to address the cost of culture. Trent Gillespie, CEO of Stellis AI, was scheduled to keynote on AI as a leadership imperative.

A full day Wednesday with 90-minute workshops was scheduled, alongside an expanded CSI Product Showcase with 40+ exhibiting companies and a CDT Fundamentals Course.

Speed Networking with product manufacturers was billed as providing prearranged 15-minute one-on-one meetings based on mutual interest.

It is most useful for specifiers and construction documentation professionals, since the program added a CDT Fundamentals Course and 90-minute workshops, and an expanded product showcase with 40+ exhibiting companies gave them direct access to manufacturers. The prearranged Speed Networking with product manufacturers helps those who need to source products, while attendees who want deep technical design content may find the leadership-themed keynotes on AI, culture and workforce development less relevant.

Attendees at construction industry conferences usually wear business casual, such as slacks and collared shirts or blouses, with comfortable shoes for the exhibit showcase. Phoenix in October is warm, so lighter fabrics suit the setting, with a layer for chilly conference rooms.