2025 CEBA Conference & Expo
Programming subject to change.
Tuesday, November 4
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Sara Stickler, President & CEO, GCCA
Sam Tippmann, Founder, Ti Cold & Chairman, CEBA
KEYNOTE
Economic Forecast: Impact of Seismic Surprises
Marci Rossell, Economic Forecaster and Former CNBC Chief Economist
Marci Rossell is a world-renowned economist and financial expert who speaks candidly on the nexus of economics, politics, culture, and the media. As the lively Chief Economist for CNBC and the former co-host of the well-known “pre-market” morning news and talk show Squawk Box, Rossell is revered for taking complex economic issues and making them relevant to people's lives, families, and careers.
Marci discusses America’s current and future role in the global economy, factors responsible for recessions, how Washington influences Wall Street and the markets, and the specific forecast for the near future of the U.S. economy. She is well-versed in the stock market, investor behavior, consumer confidence, and what accountable capitalism looks like this year and beyond.
Prior to her career in broadcast journalism, Marci served as Corporate Economist and Investment Spokesperson for Oppenheimer Funds, one of the nation’s largest mutual fund companies. She began her career as an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, earning a Ph.D. in Economics from Southern Methodist University, and before moving to Wall Street, she was an expert witness for Deloitte & Touche in court cases involving economic issues.
With a knack for making complex topics more digestible, Rossell’s authentic, high-energy persona delivers a stimulating and often optimistic economic outlook, providing an insider’s perspective on key factors of economic disruption.
OVERVIEW & VIDEO PRESENTATIONS
Sara Stickler, President & CEO, GCCA
Video Previews
Sadel Group for their Magnavale Easton project in Grantham, United Kingdom
Griffco Design/Build, Inc. for their Scout Cold Logistics project in Lancaster, Texas, United States
Prior to the finalists presenting on Wednesday morning, get a sneak peek at their projects by viewing their submission videos. Videos from each category will be spread over the two General Sessions on Tuesday.
3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Trends & Market Forces in Temperature-Controlled Facility Construction
Panelists
Anita Nanda, SVP, Global Development & Automation, Americold
Mark Grimes, Facility and Engineering Development, Gordon Food Services
John Long, Senior Vice President of Design & Construction, RL Cold
Mike Llewellyn, SVP of Construction, RealCold
Moderator
Scott Guimond, Vice President, Fisher Construction Group
Join a panel of industry power players—developers, contractors, and end-users—who are shaping the future of controlled environment facilities. This session explores the latest trends, market dynamics, and emerging opportunities in temperature-controlled construction, including design innovations, operational strategies, and investment drivers.
Attendees will gain insights into how leading organizations navigate evolving customer demands, regulatory changes, and technological advancements to deliver efficient, high-performing facilities. Learn firsthand from the experts who are driving growth, setting new standards, and redefining what’s possible in refrigerated and temperature-controlled building projects.
OVERVIEW & VIDEO PRESENTATIONS
Sara Stickler, President & CEO, GCCA
Video Previews
Ti Cold for their Banks Cold Storage project in Commerce, Georgia, United States
Greek Design | Build for the Ocean Kingdom project in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
The celebration of industry excellence continues! Join us for the second part of our video previews, featuring the next set of finalists for the 2025 CEBA Built by the Best Awards.
After seeing the finalists, be sure to attend the Closing General Session, Wednesday, 2 p.m., where the winners will be announced. Then, join us at the closing reception to celebrate with the award winners and mark the end of the CEBA Conference & Expo.
Wednesday, November 5
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Built by the Best — Innovations in Controlled Environment Construction
Finalists Share Their Stories
Every groundbreaking facility has a story of challenge, ingenuity, and collaboration. In this capstone session, we invite you to hear those stories from the finalists for the CEBA Built by the Best Awards, the highest honor in controlled environment construction.
A panel of visionaries, representing the contractors, designers, and owners of these remarkable projects, will share the pivotal moments and critical decisions that led to their success. From overcoming unforeseen obstacles to implementing game-changing innovations, this discussion will uncover what it truly takes to deliver an industry-leading facility.
Get inspired by the stories of excellence and discover how the best in the business are building the future.
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Food & Agribusiness Industry Update and Market Insights
This session provides a focused look at the financial landscape within the Food and Agribusiness sector. Attendees will gain insights into investment trends, funding strategies, and capital considerations driving construction and development projects.A Celebration of Achievement and a Vision for the Future
Join us for the finale of the CEBA Conference & Expo, a capstone session dedicated to honoring industry-wide accomplishments while charting a course for tomorrow.
The session kicks off with a dynamic keynote address intended to equip you with practical takeaways and a renewed passion. Following that, the spotlight will turn to the much-anticipated CEBA Built by the Best Awards, where we will crown this year's most exceptional controlled-environment facility projects.
To conclude the program, our executive leadership team will share an insightful forecast for the industry's trajectory. Don't miss this opportunity to applaud the pioneers shaping our field and leave energized for the journey ahead.
Focus Your Learning During the Education Sessions
While the main stage inspires, the Education Sessions empower. These specialized discussions, which complement the general conference programming, offer a unique opportunity to focus on the topics most critical to your operations.
Engage directly with industry leaders, discover actionable strategies, and find solutions to your biggest challenges. Come prepared to ask questions and share your perspective in these expert-led sessions.
Check the detailed session descriptions and plan your agenda today.
Tuesday, November 4
2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Wednesday, November 5
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
From Insight to Action: A Complete Learning Path
After gaining expert insights in the Education Sessions, the Construction Café is your chance to put that knowledge into action. Move from learning to collaborating as you discuss today’s biggest challenges directly with your peers in a dynamic roundtable format.
Igniting Conversation at the Construction Café
In this lively, interactive session, the Construction Café brings industry leaders together to tackle today's most pressing topics. Over the course of the session, attendees select three thought-provoking subjects for a series of deep-dive roundtable discussions with their peers.
Guided by moderator James Rogers, these focused conversations are designed to generate practical insights and shared solutions. The program culminates in a valuable "lessons learned" segment, where the most impactful ideas from each group are shared with the entire room.
Moderator: James Rogers, Senior Vice President, Member & Program Services and Operations
Where the Future is Built
Step onto the CEBA Expo floor and into the epicenter of controlled environment innovation. This isn't just a trade show; it's the dynamic core of our conference, where groundbreaking technology, industry-leading solutions, and the brightest minds in construction converge. This is where the leaders of controlled environment construction build the future.
The expo is seamlessly integrated with our world-class educational sessions and networking events, creating one powerful, can't-miss experience.
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