14th Annual A&E Summit

Architecture and Engineering (A&E) firms emerging from the pandemic face a changing economy, business arena and workplace. To explore the opportunities this new world presents, we invite you to join our specialists as they discuss: the promise of mergers, acquisitions and selling a business; environmental and social impact strategies; and the growing need to protect against cyber threats. Our featured topics and industry analysts help today’s A&E leaders navigate a successful path forward.

Friday, June 24, 2022
7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. – Parkview Foyer
Registration, Networking and Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Lincoln Ballroom
Program

Program Topics:

Cybersecurity
Hybrid work environments are the “new normal” and just one of the reasons for elevated cybersecurity risk at A&E firms. Our panel of experts will share:

• Lessons learned handling breaches and cyberattacks
• How A&E firms should protect against cyber threats that lie ahead
• Trends to be on the lookout for
• Best practices for managing risk

Moderator: Nick Tamvaklis, CPA, Partner, DGC, a division of PKF O’Connor Davies
Panelists: Thomas DeMayo and Nick DeLena, PKF O’Connor Davies, Cybersecurity and Privacy Advisory Practice

ESG and Its Impact on Today’s A&E Firms
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and requirements are becoming commonplace, influencing all aspects of the A&E industry. Our panelists will discuss ESG’s impact, including:

• How ESG influences the selection of a design team
• Why ESG is important to your firm
• How to measure ESG program effectiveness
• Establishing financial, human resources and leadership priorities
• What it takes to implement a successful impact program

Moderator: Elizabeth Gousse Ballotte, Principal, PKF O’Connor Davies, ESG Advisory Services
Panelists: Sara Cassidy, Managing Director, AEW and Khristopher Gregoire, Esq., Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, VHB

Mergers and Acquisitions
Industry consolidation is at an all-time high. We will examine the important considerations when evaluating an external sale and why today’s marketplace is different than it was five years ago. Our panelists will also explore the following, and more:

• Changing buyer and seller profiles
• Common deal structures in today’s market
  
• Drivers of deal activity

Moderator: David M. Sullivan, CPA, Partner, DGC, a division of PKF O’Connor Davies
Panelists: George Christodoulo, Senior Partner, Lawson & Weitzen, Kevin L. Haney, President and CEO, Colliers Engineering & Design, and Gregory Sauter, President, WGI, Inc.

CPE Credits:
3 CPE Credits (Information Technology – Technical – 1; Personnel/Human Resources Non-Technical – 1; Management Services – Technical – 1)
No prerequisites or advanced planning required
Program Level: Basic / Delivery Method: Live
In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE credits will be granted based on a 50-minute hour.

PKF O’Connor Davies is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE Credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.