09/04/2026
We are honored to bring together this exceptional lineup of industry leaders for The Blueprint Conference 2026.
Six sessions, 26 speakers, and a full day covering some of the biggest issues facing the construction industry. We hope you’ll join us in New Orleans on October 29.
The full agenda for The Blueprint Conference 2026 is here.
Six sessions. 26 industry leaders taking the stage. One day focused on the legal, business, technology, insurance, procurement, and economic development issues affecting the built environment.
Here’s who you’ll hear from on October 29:
SESSION 1: WHAT WORRIES YOUR CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
Moderator:
Christopher LeMieux, Founding Partner, Riess LeMieux
Panelists:
Amanda Messa, General Counsel, LEMOINE
Erika Bush, Chief Legal Officer, RNGD
Wade Bass, General Counsel, APTIM
SESSION 2: CMAR PROCUREMENT, SELECTION, TRENDS, AND CHANGES
Moderator:
Jon Forester, Partner, Riess LeMieux
Panelists:
Matthew H. Baker, Architect, Director, Office of Facility Planning & Control, Louisiana Division of Administration
Lauren Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer, Gibbs Construction
Chad Abell, AIA, ALEP, Principal Architect, AQ Studios
Michael Blackwell, Partner, Riess LeMieux
SESSION 3: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KEYNOTE
Moderator:
Michael Riess, Founding Partner, Riess LeMieux
Panelists:
Helena Moreno, Mayor, City of New Orleans
Cynthia Lee Sheng, Parish President, Jefferson Parish
Michael Hecht, President & CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
SESSION 4: AI INTEGRATION WITH YOUR CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS
Moderator:
Robert Riess, Partner, Riess LeMieux
Panelists:
Professor Knud E. Berthelsen, Professor of Practice and Senior Advisor for AI Literacy, Tulane University
Tristan Wilson, Founder & CEO, Edgevanta
Gerard Ramos, CEO & Founder, Revelry
SESSION 5: ASK THE INSURANCE EXPERTS
Moderator:
Liz Lambert, Partner, Riess LeMieux
Panelists:
Blake Martinez, Vice President /Shareholder/Captive Practice Leader, Ross & Yerger Insurance, Inc.
Rodnelle Hadley, CIC, Account Executive, Cory, Tucker & Larrowe, Inc.
Neal Choppin, Area Senior Vice President, Cadence Insurance, a Gallagher Company
Robert Tschirn, Partner, Riess LeMieux
SESSION 6: CASES AND COCKTAILS
Moderator:
Murphy J. Foster, III, Partner, Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P.
Panelists:
Daniel “Dan” Lund III, Partner, Phelps Dunbar LLP
Adrian D’Arcy, Founding Partner, D’Arcy Vicknair
Stuart “Stu” Richeson, Of Counsel, Riess LeMieux
The Blueprint Conference takes place October 29, 2026, at the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District Hotel. Attendance is free, but registration is required.
We hope to see you there! Reserve your seat today: https://www.thebpconference.com/register
*Agenda and speakers subject to change.