Young Professional Development Forum 2024
Reflecting on the Success of CEA's First Young Professional Education Series in 2024
As 2024 came to a close, the Construction Employers Association (CEA) wrapped up its inaugural Young Professional Education Series with an event that exceeded expectations. Held on December 18th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at TopGolf - Cleveland's Chairman’s Suite, the Young Professionals Development Forum gathered 75 enthusiastic attendees for an afternoon of learning, networking, and growth.
This event, the final one in a series of carefully curated sessions, was designed specifically with young professionals in the construction industry in mind. The series aimed to provide a platform for individuals at an early stage in their careers to gain valuable insights and actionable tips, regardless of their current position within their company. Whether just starting out or looking to take the next step, the goal was simple: equip the next generation of construction leaders with the tools they need to advance both personally and professionally.
Industry Insights from Leaders
The forum featured three engaging topics led by prominent industry leaders. These experts shared their knowledge, experiences, and career advice, providing attendees with a roadmap for navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in the construction industry. From strategic leadership to personal development tips, the topics were tailored to empower young professionals to build fulfilling and successful careers.
But the day didn’t end with the sessions. Following the forum, attendees were invited to continue their networking at the CEA Holiday Social. It was a perfect way to unwind and reflect on the day’s learnings in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. It also gave attendees a chance to connect directly with industry veterans, to begin forging valuable relationships that go beyond just the conference room. Adding an extra layer of excitement was the Future Executive Committee’s Charitable Giving Raffle, where attendees had the chance to win fantastic prizes while supporting a great cause.
Topics covered at the event included:
“I had a great view of the room and was really impressed with the attentiveness of the participants as they interacted with our insightful panel,” says moderator, President of Precision Environmental and past CEA Board Chair Tony DiGeronimo. "Great job Jackie and all who invested their time into this extraordinary venture!"
Attendees' Feedback: A Worthwhile Investment
After the event, a survey was sent out to gather feedback on what worked well and what could be improved for future events. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with attendees raving about the quality of the presenters and the relevance of the topics covered. The feedback also included creative suggestions for future improvements, which will help ensure that upcoming events continue to meet the needs and expectations of young professionals in the industry.
“CEA recognized what a benefit it could be to get our members’ Young Professionals to learn from our Industry Leaders. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a great mentor to help guide them and we have some great people involved in CEA that are always looking to help the next generation and pass on their extensive knowledge,” says Jackie Ruhlin, Director of Member Engagement for CEA. “The event sold out and got some great feedback, we hope to do this again next year with some new topics.”
Looking Ahead: Bigger and Better in 2025
Building on the success of the inaugural series, CEA is excited to announce that a new Young Professional Education Series will be hosted in the Fall/Winter of 2025. With fresh topics, dynamic new speakers, and a larger venue, this upcoming series promises to offer even more opportunities for young professionals to learn, grow, and connect.
The Young Professionals series will continue to have the clear goal of helping upcoming generations excel in their careers and advance within their companies. The 2025 series will continue to provide the tools and resources necessary to foster the next generation of leaders in the construction industry.
We look forward to welcoming even more participants to next year’s events and are excited to see how the series continues to evolve and make a lasting impact.
If you have recommendations for topics you would like to see presented in the Young Professional Series in 2025, please email [email protected].
