Project Control Summit 2026 will be held April 26-28 at Margaritaville Resort, Lake Conroe, Texas. The theme for the summit will be ’Go the Extra Mile in Project Controls’.
Project Control Summit 2026 will offer Keynote Speakers and an abundance of tracks over the three days.
Keynotes
Shohreh Ghorbani is the founder and technical director of Project Control Academy.
Kamran Akbarzadeh is the CEO of the Project Control Academy.
Shohreh and Kamran will present ‘AI Powered Project Controls’. Shohreh and Kamran will discuss how AI is already powering project delivery and transforming project controls from reactive to predictive. Using real-life case studies, Shohreh and Kamran will reveal how emerging technologies are used for cost forecasting and risk detection and offer strategies for adapting in the AI-driven era of Project Management. Finally, Shohreh and Kamran will offer a live demonstration of a custom-built GPT assistant that speaks the language of capital projects.
Tracks
The tracks will be classified into three areas: Project/Program Management, Risk Analysis/ Management and Planning/Scheduling, all presented by industry professionals. We’ve selected a sample from each category to gain a flavor of Project Control Summit.
Project/Program Management
Chris Carson is Director of Program & Project Controls/Vice President at Arcadis. Chris will present ‘Turning Conflict into Collaboration: Lessons from Mediation for More Successful Projects’. Chris will explain how real-world dispute resolutions in the construction industry enable project control professionals to play a critical role in bridging the gap between owners and contractors, strengthening relationships and mitigating risks.
Chris will discuss the most common breakdowns that lead to claims and how to prevent them. Chris will share key insights in communication, negotiation and proactive problem-solving, equipping project teams to work together more effectively from day one.
Julie Owen, Senior Executive Officer, Project Management Oversight at Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Julie will present ‘Transforming Transit Mega Projects: Lessons from Los Angeles Metro.’ Julie will explain how she oversees controls on the agency’s $160 billion, 50-year capital program.
Julie will share real-world success stories from projects shaping LA’s transit landscape and understands what it takes to deliver mega projects on time and on budget. Julie will reveal practical strategies and lessons from managing large-scale transit expansions, including innovative approaches to cost control, risk management, project scheduling and reporting.
Stephen L. Cabano is President & Chief Operating Officer, Pathfinder, LLC. Stephen will present ‘Your Project Control Caddy: Guiding the Game to Success.’ Using a golf caddy analogy, Stephen will explain that the Project Control Manager serves as the caddy: assessing conditions, selecting the right approach and offering strategic guidance to turn potential into performance.
He will show how proactive planning, adaptive strategy and partnership ensure every decision advances the project. Whether launching a new initiative or nearing the finish, a skilled project control caddy can make the difference between a good and an outstanding outcome.
Osama Abdelfatah is Vice President, Regional Program Controls Director, East Region at AECOM. Osama will present ‘Driving Outcomes & Building a Lasting Legacy Through Program Controls’. Osama will explain that, for complex programs with multiple interconnected projects, delivering measurable results within the strategic vision, Program Controls are the answer.
Osama will discuss how Project Controls focus on individual project execution (scope, schedule, cost, quality), while Program Controls integrate multiple projects to align with strategic objectives and drive measurable outcomes. Osama will reveal strategies for implementing Program Controls that deliver immediate results and create lasting organizational impact with sustainable practices.
Risk Analysis/ Management
John Hale is the Principle with Certus Energy Consultants.
Roger Farish, owner & Principal Consultant at ROMAN Consulting Group.
John and Roger will present ‘Planning Without Bias: Smarter Front-End Decisions’. John and Roger, using three real-world cases from the mining, power and petrochemical industries, will reveal how advancing projects with immature technology and incomplete front-end definition undermined decision quality, despite strong technical execution efforts later on, leading to significant cost and schedule growth.
John and Roger will reveal how proven mitigation strategies work: independent estimate reviews, structured scope maturity assessments (PDRI) and integrated risk analysis. When applied consistently, these tools expose bias, improve transparency and strengthen investment decisions.
John and Roger will summarize that disciplined, unbiased front-end planning enables project teams to achieve greater predictability and control, ultimately reducing cost uncertainty and improving project success rates.
James G Zack, Jr., is the principal of James Zack Consulting. James will present ‘No Delay, No Impact, No Way!’ James will explain how impact damages are often hidden costs, because during construction claims, labor costs, time extensions and extended overheads are prioritized, leaving impact damages frequently unaddressed.
James will present 10 legitimate impact-damage claims that deserve compensation, along with the evidence supporting them. James will reveal that contractors don’t have to prove project delay to recover impact damages.
Planning/Scheduling
Daniel Gilmour, Director of Planning and Scheduling at Brasfield & Gorrie. Daniel will present ‘From Scheduler to Strategic Advisor: Thriving in the Age of AI’. Dan will discuss how AI is rapidly transforming project controls, and as its adoption increases, many of the tasks that once defined the planner and scheduler role are being automated.
The truth is AI doesn’t replace planners; it exposes which ones were never truly advising to begin with. As routine tasks become automated, real professional value shifts toward technical accountability, interpretation, forecasting and risk translation.
Dan will explain the state of AI in planning and scheduling and provide practical applications for workflows. Dan will reveal where AI can optimize processes and where it falls short, examine who’s providing genuine insight versus simply producing outputs, and learn how to collaborate with AI as a partner while avoiding over-reliance.
Dan will address implications for entry-level roles and provide concrete strategies for AI-proofing careers, helping delegates to evolve into trusted strategic advisors in an AI-enabled future.
Andrew Bates is a Senior Risk Analyst at Arcadis. Andrew will present ‘Unleash the Power of CPM Scheduling to Recover Project Delays.’ Andrew will discuss how, at some point in a project’s lifecycle, recovering lost time becomes essential, whether due to contractor delays, unforeseen risks or evolving owner needs. Using real-world case studies,
Andrew will deliver a step-by-step approach to analyzing delays and optimizing schedule recovery. Andrew will offer a checklist of actionable techniques drawn from the AACE Recommended Practice No. 54R-07 that can be applied to projects.
Michael Nosbisch is the Director of Project Controls Consulting Services at Strategic Management Solutions LLC. Michael will present ‘Navigating Federal Scheduling Requirements: What You Need to Know Before Contract Award. ‘
Michael will explain how federal contracts operate differently from private-sector contracts, and that unless these requirements are fully understood before contract award, they can impact project execution and compliance.
Michael will explain that Federal aerospace and energy programs established under cost-plus contracts often require the implementation of an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and an Earned Value Management System (EVMS). Certain federal construction projects require developed CLIN (Contract Line-Item Number)-based cost loading and the submittal of SDEF (Standard Data Exchange Format) files. These aren’t optional; they’re contractual obligations that need to be navigated successfully from day one.
Michael will offer a guide through the practical implementation of federal scheduling regulations for U.S. construction and aerospace projects and programs, providing clarity on what federal agencies expect, why these requirements exist and how to structure a scheduling approach to meet compliance standards while managing projects effectively.
Registration Details
Group bookings of 3+ are available to delegates who purchase a VIP ticket within their group.
To register for the Project Control Summit 2026 click here
Summary
Project Control Summit 2026 is a large conference with over five hundred project professionals from around the world expected to attend. From planners and schedulers to cost controllers, project risk experts, project managers, and industry leaders. This conference is dedicated to advancing the field of project controls.
Project Control Summit 2026 is an in-person conference event, providing delegates with the opportunity to engage, network, and learn together on-site.