How You’re Wired: A Working Intro to the Predictive Index

In this session, you’ll get a working introduction to the Predictive Index, the assessment that measures how you’re naturally wired to work. Then we bring it to life. You’ll get your own data and work through a few exercises in a small group to unpack what it means: what drives you, what you need to do your best work, and where you land on each of the behaviors PI measures. You’ll leave with your own report and a clearer read on how you operate and what brings out your best.

Kelly Atikinson, Principal Consultant, and Rebekah Powell Lewis, Principal Consultant, Leap

Barcelona III, IV, V

Ethics in Building Departments Part 1

 Refining decision making.  It appears that people should automatically know the right thing to do and will act out of that knowledge.  This assumption virtually knocks the air out of the assertion which says every person should not only be about the business of learning the right but also acting upon what he or she knows is right.  “Do what’s right, when you ought to do it and how you ought to do it and do it that way all the time”.

Russell Thornburg, Plans Examiner, Willdan Performance Engineering and Owner for Thornburg Code Services

Skyline Ballroom I, II

Artificial Intelligence is Coming to Building Departments—Are You Ready?

AI is no longer a future concept—it’s already transforming how building departments work. From answering code questions and assisting with plan reviews to improving customer service and reducing research time, AI offers tremendous opportunities along with new challenges. This session explores real-world applications, common misconceptions, legal and operational considerations, and practical guidance for evaluating AI solutions while maintaining confidence in code enforcement.

Eric Stover, Digital Technologist, International Code Council

Barcelona III, IV, V

Ethics in Building Departments Part 2

 Refining decision making.  It appears that people should automatically know the right thing to do and will act out of that knowledge.  This assumption virtually knocks the air out of the assertion which says every person should not only be about the business of learning the right but also acting upon what he or she knows is right.  “Do what’s right, when you ought to do it and how you ought to do it and do it that way all the time”.

Russell Thornburg, Plans Examiner, Willdan Performance Engineering and Owner for Thornburg Code Services

Skyline Ballroom I, II

NFPA update and the Assault on Safety

Orlando Hernandez, Regional Director, Regional Operations, NFPA

Barcelona III, IV, V

Improving the Efficiency of Your Inspections and Developing Communications Skills Part 1

This seminar is focused on the detailed requirements of completing building inspections, customer service, record keeping and effective field procedures with verbal and non-verbal communication. 

 Purpose and administration of the code

• Office operations, scheduling, and record-keeping
• Effective field inspection procedures
• Written versus verbal orders   
• Verbal and non-verbal skills 

Russell Thornburg, Plans Examiner, Willdan Performance Engineering and Owner for Thornburg Code Services

Skyline Ballroom I, II

ICC 500 in Practice: Code Requirements, Applicability Thresholds, and Enforcement Challenges

ICC 500 establishes essential requirements for storm shelter design, construction, and code enforcement, with a strong focus on structural performance and life safety. This session explores how these provisions are applied during design, plan review, permitting, and the inspection processes.  Key updates and revisions to the 2023 version of this standard will be highlighted.  Applicability thresholds for various occupancies, considerations for additions and renovations, and understanding of any requirements related to existing buildings under the IEBC will be discussed.  Common interpretation challenges, documentation expectations, and testing/commissioning requirements and case studies will also be highlighted.

Jared Boyles, P.E., S.E., Principal, Alpha Consulting Engineers, Inc., Nathan Hart, P.E., Managing Principal | Mechanical Engineer, RWP Consulting Engineers, and Tosin Kusa, Senior Associate | Project Architect / Director

Barcelona III, IV, V

Improving the Efficiency of Your Inspections and Developing Communications Skills Part 2

This seminar is focused on the detailed requirements of completing building inspections, customer service, record keeping and effective field procedures with verbal and non-verbal communication. 

 Purpose and administration of the code

• Office operations, scheduling, and record-keeping
• Effective field inspection procedures
• Written versus verbal orders   
• Verbal and non-verbal skills 

Russell Thornburg, Plans Examiner, Willdan Performance Engineering and Owner for Thornburg Code Services

Skyline Ballroom I, II