Executive Insights Live!

Presented by: Tom Kruse, CBSE, President, M&A, Marsden Services; Yasser Youssef, President & CEO, The Budd Group
Wednesday, January 28 | 8 - 9:15 a.m.

Listen in as executives within the industry talk about the latest trends they're seeing in the market, understand how they got to where they are today and more!

Why Your Best Years Are Ahead of You

Presented by: Chip Conley, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of MEA
Wednesday, January 28 | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Chip Conley founded and was CEO of the second largest boutique hotel company in the U.S., but after running it for nearly two-dozen years, he felt stuck and saw his personal, emotional, physical, and business life all fall apart in his late 40s. At the time, he considered it might be a "midlife crisis," but he's come to believe it was a "midlife chrysalis," a time of deep transformation, because his next fifteen years after selling his company to the Pritzkers and Hyatt have been the best of his life. Chip went on to become the "modern elder" to the young founders of Airbnb and create the world’s first midlife wisdom school, the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), with a beachfront campus in Baja and a four-square-mile regenerative horse ranch campus in Santa Fe. Tapping into some of MEA’s well-known guest faculty content—from Christian mystic Richard Rohr to Blue Zones' Dan Buettner to author Elizabeth Gilbert—Chip will offer a workshop relating to his bestselling book "Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age."

The Economic, Financial, and Building Services Outlook: Opportunities and Risks Ahead

Presented by: Jason Schenker, President of Prestige Economics® & Chairman of The Futurist Institute®
Thursday, January 29 | 10:30 - 12 p.m.

In this fast-paced and highly relevant session, economist and futurist Jason Schenker will break down the most important trends shaping the building services industry in the year ahead and beyond. Drawing on his #1 Bloomberg-ranked forecasting track record, Jason will explore the critical economic, financial market, technology, policy, and geopolitical forces that will define both opportunities and risks for BSCAI members. Attendees will gain actionable insights into U.S. and global economic conditions, labor market dynamics, interest rates, inflation, and financial market trends—along with the disruptive impacts of emerging technologies, policy changes, and a nonpartisan political outlook ahead of the 2026 midterms. Jason will connect these macro forces directly to the realities of the building services sector, helping leaders anticipate challenges, seize growth opportunities, and make better strategic decisions in an uncertain environment. Whether you're preparing budgets, evaluating investments, or positioning your business to win in a competitive market, this presentation will arm you with the intelligence and foresight to navigate what’s next with confidence.

The Successful BSC: Past, Present, and Future

Presented by: John Ravaris, Founder, UVPsolutions
Friday, January 30 | 8:30 - 10 a.m.

As we celebrated BSCAI’s 60th year anniversary last year, it only makes sense to take a look back, see where we are today, and of course discuss what the future may hold. Twenty years ago, John Ravaris authored an influential leadership article for Services magazine titled "A Case Study of Exceptional Contractors." As a dedicated supplier and trusted advisor to BSCAI, and the recipient of the BSCAI Industry Service Award in 2003, John gained unique insights into what distinguished the industry’s most successful companies. Now, after spending the past decade working directly within the BSC industry, John returns to revisit and expand on the critical attributes that defined excellence twenty years ago and today. John will then lead a panel discussion of thought-leading BSCs to outline what the future could hold. In this engaging and insightful session, attendees will explore how the principles of success have evolved and adapted to today’s market realities. Blending proven best practices from the past with contemporary strategies and fresh insights, this presentation will equip leaders with actionable takeaways to thrive in the current and future competitive landscape. Join this dynamic discussion to uncover what’s changed, what remains timeless, and what your organization needs today to excel in the evolving world of Building Service Contractors.

The Relatable Leader: Create a Culture of Connection

Presented by: Rachel DeAlto, Keynote Speaker on Communication, Leadership, and Human Connection
Friday, January 30 | 10:15 - 11:45 a.m.

Effective leadership is not just about expertise or influence—it’s about building trust and respect by cultivating genuine human connections with your team. Delivered through compelling storytelling, interactive exercises, and grounded in Rachel’s proprietary leadership research, this transformative keynote will empower your audience to become a relatable leader who inspires trust, motivates others, and achieves remarkable results. Rachel DeAlto’s research specifically defined the key interpersonal leadership qualities that teams are looking for in managers and executives—and the results are likely not what you would expect. The presentation will explore the behaviors and traits that foster strong bonds and drive performance across generations. The audience will unlock powerful and practical strategies to foster a culture of connection that drives collaboration, productivity, and success. By emphasizing compassion and leading with emotional intelligence, your audience will revolutionize their approach to elevate your unique leadership abilities.

Attendees will learn how to:
• Master the art of creating meaningful connections to enhance leadership skills and build trust
• Implement techniques to engage and encourage teams toward exceptional performance
• Break down silos and improve communication between team members
• Build an organizational culture rooted in trust, motivation, and respect