2026 Wisconsin Connection Conference Sessions

For those coming in the night before, join us for a Happy Hour at Monks Bar & Grill!

Grab some coffee and muffin as we kick off our 2026 Wisconsin Conference. BLD Connection President, Cody Nuernberg, will offer some opening words before we dive into a day filled with insights, fresh ideas, and opportunities to build a community of trusted advisors.

Step away from the office and connect with peers who understand the challenges of leading a business today. This roundtable offers a collaborative space to share experiences, exchange practical ideas, and gain valuable perspectives that can inspire growth for you and your organization.

Sales professionals face unique challenges in driving results while adapting to a changing marketplace. This roundtable, facilitated by Lynne Jensen Nelson, will offer salespeople and managers the opportunity to share real-world experiences and discuss strategies. Together, participants will explore ways to strengthen customer relationships.

Join us for a complimentary membership lunch (advance registration required). Following lunch, the BLD Connection – Wisconsin and WLDEF membership meetings will take place, featuring the election of new board members and a celebration of outgoing leaders, along with the presentation of member achievement awards. We’ll then shift into our keynote session with Dr. Cindra Kamphoff: Embracing Passion and Perseverance to Gain the High-Performance Edge. Don’t miss this inspiring opportunity to recharge, celebrate, and gain strategies to elevate both your personal and professional performance.

To be successful, construction product suppliers need to truly understand what home builders, remodelers, and designers need from them. Of course, they want their suppliers to provide high-quality materials on time and at a fair price, but they also seek strategic business partnerships that prioritize their overall success through exceptional sales, service, and customer service support. So, what EXACTLY do builders want from you? During this interactive workshop sales teams will learn the key factors builders use when making decisions about which product suppliers to use and features to include in their projects.

Why a “people powered” strategy? Too often strategic planning puts people at the end of the discussion or as an afterthought to the many other issues business leaders face. With the current environment of wage inflation & declining employee engagement, business leaders must be intentional about their “people” strategy. Attendees will be presented with a powerful framework for developing a people driven strategy, starting with their leadership team.

This engaging panel brings together a lumber dealer, a key material supplier, and a valued customer to explore how strong partnerships across the supply chain drive shared success. Through real-world insights and open discussion, the panel will highlight how communication, alignment of goals, and a customer-first mindset help overcome challenges, strengthen relationships, and create win-win outcomes for every link in the chain.

The fun and networking continue as we close out the day with our Networking Reception! Conversations thrive with new friends and old while enjoying a hosted bar with complimentary beer, soda, and delicious hors d’oeuvres. To add to the fun, we’ll be drawing for our cash prize giveaways during the reception! You must be present to win.