2026 Annual Convention

February 17-19, 2026

Another great week at the 2026 Annual Convention in Lincoln has come and gone.

Tuesday started off with speed interviews for the 13 Central Community College - Hastings Heavy Equipment Operator Technician Program students and ten of our member companies. Students enjoyed learning more about the work that our members do and are looking forward to locking in their summer jobs / careers.

Jake Thompson led his third and final Master the Build session and 18 of our leaders graduated from the program after a short presentation to our Board of Directors.

At the Board Meeting, our 2026 Board of Directors was approved. You can see that list here.

The evening ended with our Past Presidents' Dinner, sponsored by Paulsen, Inc.. Being able to have current and past leadership in the same room is something special. Tom Crockett and Steve Samuelson were recognized and became Honorary Members.

Wednesday truly kicked off the 2026 Annual Convention. Dave Bauer (ARTBA) and Dusty Vaughan (HBS) joined our Member Meeting to offer insight into our legislative plan for 2026 and 2027. The 2026 Most Likes Social Media Award was given to Luke Lorenz (Judds Brothers Construction) for a video on our Tik Tok that received 26,000 views. We also recognized three CCC-Hastings students who received our scholarship, one who received our two-year technical scholarship and one UNL student who received our scholarship with the Durham School. Lunch ended with an exciting on stage interview with Jaylen Reyes (Nebraska Volleyball Associate Coach).

As the evening crept towards the PAC Auction, our record crowd continued to grow. This year we had a caricature artist and magician for extra entertainment before the auction. The 2026 PAC Auction was another huge success, raising over $105,000. Two years in a row over $100,000 and we aren't slowing down. We are blown away by the support from the PAC Committee, Gene Lilly Surety Bonds, Inc., the item donors, the bidders, the auctioneer, and all who attended. 

Thursday started with a session on AI in Construction, led by Molly Sharp (Workforce Energetics). As breakout sessions and committee meetings started, the next big thing was our Keynote Speaker, Devin Henderson. Kirk Barnes Construction, Inc. was the sponsor who made securing this speaker possible. His "What Else Is Possible?" message about testing the limits and breaking past the restraints of your mind was well-received by all. The day concluded with a Happy Hour surrounding our Associate Expo booths in the atrium.

Gold Sponsors:

• Gene Lilly Surety Bonds, Inc.
• Kirk Barnes Construction, Inc.
• Paulsen, Inc.

Silver Sponsors: 

• Ash Grove Cement Co.
• Contractor Services, Inc.
• Ergon, Inc.
• FNIC Group
• Garcia-Chicoine Enterprises Inc.
• Goosmann Law Firm
• Hamilton Business Technologies
• Jebro, Inc.
• Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co., Inc.
• Pomp's Tire Service, Inc.

Bronze Sponsors:

• Lutz
  
• Lyman-Richey Corporation
• Marsh McLennan Agency
• Martin Marietta
• NMC Cat
• Spencer Quarries, Inc.
• The Johnson Company/Coordinated Planning
• Woods Aitken LLP

General Sponsors:

• Copple Insurance Agency, Inc.
• Flint Hills Resources, LP
• General Equipment & Supplies, Inc.
• Koss Construction Company
• Milwaukee Tool
• Nebraska-Iowa Supply Co., Inc.
• RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply Co., Inc.