2025 Nebraska Connection Conference Sessions
Board Meeting - Invite Only
12/10/2025 3:30 PM - 12/10/2025 5:00 PM
Summary
Open to board members only on Wednesday, December 10th. Details, agenda, etc. will be sent directly to you prior to the event.
Not Attending: Board Meeting - Invite Only
12/10/2025 3:30 PM - 12/10/2025 5:00 PM
Board Dinner - Invite Only
12/10/2025 5:30 PM - 12/10/2025 7:30 PM
Summary
Casual dinner on the night before the event. Invite for board members/partners only. Details to be shared as the event approaches.
Not Attending: Board Dinner - Invite Only
12/10/2025 5:30 PM - 12/10/2025 7:30 PM
Welcome Address & Inspiring Leaders Panel
12/11/2025 8:00 AM - 12/11/2025 9:00 AM
Summary
Join us for the Welcome Address to kick off the Nebraska Connection Conference. After a quick 'welcome' and 'what to expect', stay seated for an engaging panel discussion. This panel, moderated by Brett Thorne, will feature inspiring leaders in the lumber and building materials industry. These professionals are shaping the future of the industry—introducing new ideas, embracing technology, and redefining workplace culture while honoring time-tested traditions. Panelists will share insights into the challenges and opportunities they face. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the bold ideas these leaders are using in their businesses and real-world strategies that are driving the next era of growth in our industry. Coffee and continental breakfast items provided.
Not Attending: Welcome Address & Inspiring Leaders Panel
12/11/2025 8:00 AM - 12/11/2025 9:00 AM
Sales Seminar: A Sales Perspective to Creating Great Client Experience
12/11/2025 9:15AM - 12/11/2025 11:15 AM
Speakers
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Paul J. BurkePaul has over 30 years of sales and marketing leadership managing local, corporate, and global teams. He has also been an entrepreneur; owning, leading, and successfully exiting several businesses. Paul enjoys working with entrepreneurs and leadership teams as a teacher, facilitator, and coach, helping them get more out of their business and work life, “Putting the fun back into dysfunctional.” Serving as an Officer in the U.S. Army and as a Company Commander during Operation Desert Storm, he learned the value of great leadership, teamwork, and the critical importance of execution. Without those elements all the best plans in the world become just words on a page. Paul has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business & Speech Communication from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Dallas.
Summary
In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses cannot afford to be viewed as commodities. Sales teams serve as the vital connection between an organization and its clients, shaping how experiences are created and sustained. This session starts with the critical disciplines for successful salespeople. Then we will explore how we onboard and retain the right clients, implement client focused systems and processes, and train teams to consistently deliver excellence. By aligning policies, procedures, and people around the client’s journey, organizations can strengthen relationships, elevate brand value, and drive growth. Attendees will gain practical insights into building a culture of sales driven client experience that lasts.
Actionable Take-aways
1. Identify 5 critical traits of successful salespeople.
2. Define your ideal client.
3. Design and communicate your client journey.
4. Create an effective and efficient communication strategy.
5. Empower your team to serve your clients
Owner & Manager Roundtable - Tap Into the Power of Peer Insight
12/11/2025 9:15AM - 12/11/2025 11:15 AM
Summary
Step away from the day-to-day and join fellow business owners and managers for a dynamic roundtable discussion designed to spark ideas, share solutions, and tackle challenges head-on. This is your chance to connect with peers who are navigating the same shifting landscape and are ready to trade real-world strategies that work. This session is open to dealers or suppliers, however, because space is limited, we will seat the dealers onsite FIRST.
Not Attending: Seminar/Roundtable
12/11/2025 9:15AM - 12/11/2025 11:15 AM
Membership Lunch & Keynote Aaron Davis
12/11/2025 11:30 AM - 12/11/2025 1:30 PM
Speakers
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Aaron DavisAaron Davis, author and speaker, has shared his personal experience performing like a champion with over a million people. He is a leading authority on the importance of maintaining a positive attitude! Since the age of 8, he helped his father work evenings as a janitor. This experience taught him that a champion attitude matters regardless of one’s role or title. While mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, and emptying hundreds of trash cans each night, Aaron learned that it’s not what you do but how you do it. As a member of the 1994 National Championship Nebraska Football team and through his work with numerous corporations and organizations, he understands firsthand what it takes to perform like a champion and achieve remarkable personal and professional results by maintaining a positive attitude. Aaron is more than just a speaker explaining how a championship attitude leads to success—he is a successful business owner, former corporate leader, and cancer survivor! He has received numerous awards and accolades and is a proud University of Nebraska alumnus with a degree in Psychology. Aaron has shared the stage with some of today’s top luminaries and has spoken for leading companies, universities, and associations, including Farm Bureau, Walmart, ConAgra, USC, Penn State, Texas A&M, and many more.
Summary
After a morning of education and/or setting up tabletops, we invite all our conference attendees to join us at the Membership Luncheon starting at 11:30 am. Enjoy a nice meal and receive annual BLD Connection updates before listening to an inspiring keynote address. Although lunch is included with your conference registration, advance registration for this session is required to help BLD staff with set-up requirements and food & beverage counts. Please indicate your intention to attend this session when registering. (Lunch is not available to sponsor reps joining the afternoon tabletop session only.)
Keynote “Perform Like a Champion”
Attitude, mental toughness and the ability to change and adapt quickly are just a few characteristics that all champions possess. As a member of the Nebraska 1994 National Championship football team (considered by some as one of the best teams ever assembled), Aaron has a keen understanding of what it takes to achieve incredible results. Today’s corporate environment is more competitive than ever before and it’s those who are able to focus when others fold, who consistently stay at the top!
Presentation Outcomes:
• Individuals will learn strategies to remain mentally tough in a competitive environment.
• Individuals will be reminded of the power of a Championship Attitude!
• Individuals will be reminded of the importance of impeccable integrity and the power of passion.
• Individuals will be encouraged to never lose the ability to laugh at themselves and to have fun.
• Individuals will hear tips on how to adapt to change quickly while still enjoying the ride.
Not Attending: Membership Lunch & Keynote
12/11/2025 11:30 AM - 12/11/2025 1:30 PM
Vendor Tabletop Session
12/11/2025 1:30 PM - 12/11/2025 5:30 PM
Summary
Only 30 tabletop displays will be onsite to peruse, which will allow ample one-on-one time for dealer, contractor, and supplier visits from 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Located in the same room as the Welcome Address & Membership Luncheon, the sponsor tabletops will be set off to the side for quick and easy access all afternoon immediately following lunch. Enjoy a beverage from the bar and snack while you engage with each other and learn more about the vendor products and services throughout the afternoon. Dealers - track your visits to each sponsor on the provided game card for a chance to win the $500 grand prize announced at 5:25 pm!
Not Attending: Vendor Tabletop Session
12/11/2025 1:30 PM - 12/11/2025 5:30 PM
Smash Park Evening Event
12/11/2025 6:00 PM - 12/11/2025 8:00 PM
Summary
Join BLD Connection for a fun evening of games, dinner and drinks! We’ve reserved space over at the nearby Smash Park facility, which is within walking distance of the Embassy Hotel. Engage in two hours of gameplay, including axe throwing and duckpin bowling while enjoying a full BBQ dinner buffet and drinks. Bring your competitive edge or simply come and enjoy a beverage with your colleagues and customers! Advance registration is required. Please indicate your intention to attend this specific event when registering. (This event is not available to sponsor reps joining the afternoon tabletop session only.)
Not Attending: Smash Park
12/11/2025 6:00 PM - 12/11/2025 8:00 PM
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