BEYOND26: Arkansas’ Annual Construction Industry Forum

Make Smarter Construction Decisions in 2026, Before the Market Forces You To

The construction industry is entering a pivotal period. Interest rates, labor availability, material costs and tax policy are all putting pressure on margins and long‑term growth. BEYOND 2026 Arkansas is a focused, half‑day forum designed to give construction leaders the clarity they need to plan with confidence.
This isn’t theory or high‑level commentary. It’s practical insight you can apply immediately to protect profitability, manage risk and position your company for what’s next.

Who Should Attend

This forum is built specifically for decision‑makers in the construction industry, including:

Construction company owners
Executives and financial leaders
Contractors responsible for bidding, backlog and growth planning

If you’re making decisions that impact cash flow, capacity or long‑term strategy, this event is for you.

What you Will Walk Away With

By attending BEYOND 2026, you will gain:

A clearer view of where the construction economy is headed and how it may affect backlog and growth
Insight into interest rates, labor trends and material costs and what they mean for pricing and profitability
Practical guidance on tax planning strategies that can improve cash flow and support reinvestment
Greater confidence in the financial and strategic decisions you’ll be making in 2026 and beyond

The goal is simple: help you move from uncertainty to informed action.

Why This Matters Now

Many construction firms are setting bids, financing and growth strategies that will carry them through the next 12–36 months. Decisions made this year will shape not just revenue, but profitability and resilience through the next market cycle. BEYOND 2026 Arkansas gives you the perspective and foresight to make those decisions with better information and fewer surprises.

Event Details

When:

May 7, 2026

Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Event from 1 – 5 p.m.

Where:

Legacy Ranch at Dry Creek

9388 Dry Crk Ln, Gravette, AR 72736

Featured Speakers

Dr. Anirban Basu brings a clear, data‑driven outlook on the construction economy, including macroeconomic trends, labor markets, interest rates and what they mean for your business over the next 18–24 months. Mr. Basu is one of the nation’s leading construction economists and serves as Chief Economist to numerous construction and banking organizations. He is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., a Baltimore-based economic and policy consultancy he founded in 2004. He serves the Chief Economist function for many organizations including the Maryland Bankers Association and Associated Builders and Contractors. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region's 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010. In 2022, he entered the Daily Record newspaper's Circle of Influence. He is the Distinguished Economist in Residence at Goucher College, where he teaches History of Economic Thought. He holds four graduate degrees including a J.D. and a Ph.D.

Keynote Speaker: Anirban Basu, MPP, MA, JD, Ph.D.; Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Sage Policy Group, Inc.

Mark P. Barnett, Jr. brings actionable insight into tax planning and financial strategies tailored to construction and real estate companies. Mark specializes in helping construction companies navigate the industry’s complexities by focusing on proactive tax planning, including bonding capacity and cash flow, planning for retirement, business valuations, succession planning, wealth management strategies and everything in-between.

Speaker: Mark P. Barnett, Jr., CPA, CVA, CGMA, CCIFP, MBA, Principal - Construction & Real Estate Industry Team Leader

-Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas – Treasurer and Member of Board of Directors from 2019 to Present
-Firm representative for the Construction Industry CPAs and Consultants (CICPAC)

SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS

Door Prizes

Turtlebox Grande - Outdoor Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker ($730 value): Waterproof (fresh & saltwater), buoyant and submersible up to the 3 feet for 30 minutes. 100% drop, crush & dust-proof. 40+ hours of concert-level sound on a singular charge. 5.4 Bluetooth connectivity. Stainless steel tie-downs & rubber feet. USB-C for device charging. Built-in microphone. 126 decibels of sound with 2 powerful, Class D digital amplifiers with enhanced DSP tuning. 1.25” Titanium tweeter, 10” woofer. 158Wh Lithium-ion battery.

Camo Yeti Pack ($295 value): Yeti Roadie 15 hard cooler. 20 ounce Yeti stainless steel tumbler with Magslider lid. Set of Yeti shot glasses with carrying case.

The Black Rose Damascus 5 Piece Chef Knife Set & Leather Roll ($299 value): includes 8" Chef, 6" Chef, 8" Carver, 6.5" Cleaver, 4" Paring knives. Custom made, 100% cowhide leather roll. Nicaraguan wooden handles.

Filson Tin Cloth Compact Briefcase ($295 value): Made with durable Tin Cloth waxed cotton. Padding protects a 15” laptop. Metal zipper. Front stow pocket. Snap-secure back pocket. Cotton webbing removable shoulder strap.

Costa del Mar Sunglasses ($222 value): Gulf Shore model with cleaning cloth and carrying case. These glasses are frameless, lightweight and scratch resistant with100% UV protection, Costa 580® premium polarized polycarbonate lenses.

A Must-Attend Event for Construction Leaders

Thank you to our sponsors!

Associated Builders and Contractors, Arkansas Chapter

Trimble, Inc.