Builder Podcast Live Event: A Night to Remember

Did you hear about the incredible Build Buzz event that launched the Construction Coalition Summitt last month? With 150-plus guests, a fantastic lineup of sponsors, and tickets selling out four days before the event, the Build Buzz Event exceeded all of our high expectations!

What Made This Builder Podcast Live Event Different?

Last year’s live events were a real-time 1-on-1 interview style we are familiar with from the studio. But this year’s Build Buzz event was a whole new ball game for me as a panel host. Instead of deep-diving with one individual, we had four incredible guests on stage, creating a dynamic and fast-paced discussion.

One of the perks of this event was my familiarity with each panelist, making handoffs smooth and comfortable. My goal was to balance the questions so that everyone had an equal voice, ensuring no one had to compete for talking time and keeping the audience engaged.

A Collaborative Effort

As the official kickoff event for the Coalition Summit, we had the full CCS attendees (30 plus spouses). Additionally, we saw a fantastic mix of local Minneapolis builders, architects, designers, and trade/vendor partners. The mixed crowd created a rich networking environment and sense of community with a blend of industry experts, familiar faces, and newcomers.

One of my favorite parts of the event was coming up with the questions. We wanted to address issues across all relevant areas and capitalize on everyone's expertise. We ended up asking for audience participation, getting ticket buyers to submit a question when they purchased tickets, and then narrowing these submissions down to 25 questions across three key areas: Operations, Marketing, and Business. It was perfect!

One of the most impactful questions was, “How do you work ON the business and not IN the business?” As entrepreneurs in the construction industry, this is a common struggle. Hearing various perspectives on delegation, hiring, and balancing responsibilities was both inspiring and practical.

Fun Additions to the Event

The energy of the event was on fire! With high energy, lots of laughs, and great conversations, it was a night to remember. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and shared purpose, making it an unforgettable experience.

Live music has always been a staple at our events, and this one was no different. The Riffin Trio, led by my brother-in-law Nelson Devereaux, provided fantastic jazz music. We also set up game areas and served delicious food, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere, which is key to creating an audience experience people love to learn in and connect through.

Special Thanks

We are so thankful for the numerous podcast followers who attended and expressed their gratitude for our openness and willingness to share our business journeys. It was fun to connect with our audience! Getting to see Brad and Nick in person was a real highlight as well. We don't get to meet often, so it was a treat to catch up face-to-face. Also a special shoutout to my parents for attending. Having been builders and designers for 30 years, it means a lot for them to witness the collaboration and community spirit that has evolved since their time in the industry.

A huge thanks to the Construction2style team for their event planning and hard work behind the scenes. The event's success was due in large part to their preparation. Leah from our team was another life-saver, providing organized cue cards and ensuring everything was covered so I could focus on the event and be present in the moment.

Until Next Time

This builder podcast live event was another one for the books, bringing together a community of builders, designers, and industry leaders. We look forward to future events and every opportunity we get that allows us to build, learn, and grow together.

Reviews

Peter Martin - Owner, Pella Northland “Great event! The panel discussion was entertaining and enlightening. I also enjoyed connecting with many industry leaders locally and nationally.”

Bridget Chirigos - Owner, Chirigos Designs “Coming together as business owners, partners, and colleagues to learn from each other and hear pathways to success that others have taken is invaluable. All of the discussions were spot on with what I face as a business owner. Gaining a deeper understanding of what our project partners need to succeed improves our systems as a design firm. Thank you to the creators, panel speakers, sponsors, and attendees for making this a fantastic event. It was time well spent, and we look forward to the next one!”

Marsha Romer - Director of Business Development, Lelch “It was awesome, awesome, awesome. Such a fun event. The panel was great, the food was great, and the turnout was fantastic! I loved it!”