The Converge Construction Summit 2026 took place June 3–5, 2026, at the historic Chicago Athletic Association (The Unbound Collection by Hyatt) in downtown Chicago.
Organized and hosted by construction attorney and speaker Megan Shapiro, Esq., this annual event is deliberately designed as a curated, high-trust summit rather than a traditional large conference. It brings together doers, fixers, thinkers, and builders who are actively shaping the future of construction through meaningful conversations, intentional connections, and practical sessions.
Unlike typical industry events, Converge prioritizes intimacy, focused size, and an exclusive feel. The structure encourages natural interactions rather than forced networking, creating an environment where genuine relationships and insights emerge organically.
The Venue: A Historic Backdrop for Real Connection
The Chicago Athletic Association provided a stunning, timeless setting with its grand ballrooms and classic architecture. The venue’s historic character perfectly complemented the reflective and connective nature of the summit.
Speaker Lineup and Standout Sessions
The 2026 program featured an outstanding lineup of interactive sessions, including:
- Jesus “Jesse” Hernandez (Depth Builder) – “The Self First Time Mastery Framework”
- Jennifer Lacy – “Connection Is a Skill: Say Less. Signal Better. Build Trust Faster”
- Samantha Cordero Prestidge – Team design and delegation
- Michelle Rourke – Fixing communication gaps during growth
- Bryant Solomon & J.D. Whitaker – Control and visibility without micromanaging
- Joe Siewell – Documenting work to protect scope, schedule, and payment
- Gloria Marie – Scaling through strategic partnerships
- Chris Guerra – Building legacy through business development
- Josh Luebker – Professional visibility and trust
- Megan Shapiro, Esq. – “The Collaboration Economy”
Sessions focused on leadership, communication, delegation, financial clarity, protecting payments and margins, and building stronger teams and partnerships.
A Speaker’s Perspective
One of the speakers, Jesus “Jesse” Hernandez, captured the essence of the event in his reflective article, “The Room I Almost Walked Past – A Converge Story.” He described arriving hesitant but leaving transformed, highlighting the power of the intimate format, assigned seating, and deep conversations that led to unexpected “a-ha” moments around goals, delegation, communication, and collaboration.
Attendee Spotlight: Feedback from National Lien Services
“Converge isn’t like any kind of summit, conference, meeting, training, or seminar I have ever attended… this is so much more.
This wasn’t a large ‘learn how to sell to and in construction’ in the least. As a matter of fact, I don’t think ‘sell’ was mentioned at all. Heck, not even networking was forced… it was all natural because of this event’s structure.”
Amy summarized her main takeaways with four powerful words: leadership, reflection, application, and awareness.
She highlighted the lasting value of the experience:
“I walked away with reinforced relationships that were planted in Sedona last year and new relationships that have reinvigorated my drive to expand deliverables — starting with me. It’s amazing how much you can learn about people in a setting like this — the connections are almost instant and are all rooted in that same mentality, ‘how can I be better for the people I serve.’”
She also noted the real-world business impact. Last year’s Converge led to consultations, problem-solving with Josh Luebker at SPM The Construction CFO, and software integration work with Bryant Solomon and J.D. Whitaker at ControlQore. This year, she shared that new opportunities are already beginning to take shape.
Amy described the post as partly a personal reminder of the wonderful people she met, the countless “a-ha” moments, and her gratitude for the connections formed — connections she expects will continue to positively impact the people she serves.
Why Converge Stands Out
In an industry where relationships, contracts, communication, cash flow, and payment protection are critical, Converge delivers something rare: an intimate environment that fosters authentic growth rather than transactional interactions. Attendees consistently report leaving with greater clarity, stronger partnerships, and practical tools they can apply immediately.
Looking Ahead
The overwhelming sentiment from both speakers and attendees is excitement for the future. Many are already looking forward to Converge 2027 in Nashville.
National Lien Services is proud to support and participate in events like Converge that strengthen the construction community through meaningful connection, leadership development, and practical insights — all of which ultimately help protect payments, improve contracts, and build stronger businesses.
Want to discuss payment protection, lien strategy, or training for your team? Talk to our team.