Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
28-30 October, Starting at 14:00 UTC
Non-Member: $300
What is this virtual event about?
DRBF Connections Conference 2020 is the only conference dedicated entirely to the Dispute Board process. The event is an online gathering place for DB users, practitioners, and enthusiasts to share best practices, learn from industry leaders, sharpen their skills, and connect with colleagues around the world. Resolve to make a difference in effective dispute avoidance and resolution on projects.
Day 1: Master Class in Writing Techniques
28 October, 14:00 UTC
No More Red Pen!
Effective writing techniques from a professional writing coach. Learn how to avoid common writing pitfalls and see techniques put into action using real DB decisions.
round
28 October, 15:00 UTC
Writing a DRB Opinion from the Perspective of a Prior Expert Witness, Arbitrator and DB Member
round
28 October, 16:00 UTC
Accepted, or on to Arbitration? A look at how DB users evaluate the DB's writings
Insight on the components of an effective DB recommendation or decision from the perspective of the parties. What helps facilitate acceptance? What are the most common oversights or mistakes?
round
28 October, 17:00 - 17:35 UTC
The Next Stage: Will your DB report hold sway under future scrutiny?
What happens when the DB’s recommendation or decision is escalated to arbitration?
round
Day 2
29 October, 13:15-13:45 UTC
Optional Coffee/Tea Social
Grab your favorite beverage and sign in to Zoom meeting rooms for informal discussions about the day’s events or catch up with DRBF friends, old and new. Cameras and microphones on, this is a time to chat with fellow conference attendees and connect over shared interests. Each room has limited capacity available on a first come, first served basis.
round
29 October, 14-14:15 UTC
Welcome and Keynote Address: What's Next for US Infrastructure Development?
Welcome and Introduction: Andy Griffiths, President, DRBF Executive Board of Directors
Keynote: Peter Kiernan, Chair, New York State Law Revision Commission, former special counselor to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Infrastructure Initiatives (2017 – 2018) and Counsel to Governor Cuomo (2008 – 2010)
round
Andrew Griffiths, MSc, MBA, Pr Eng, C Eng, FSAICE, FICE, FAArb
President, Executive Board of Directors and Conference Chair
Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
29 October, 14:15 – 15:10 UTC
Dispute Avoidance: Leading the horse to water when you don't have the reins
Techniques to create an avoidance mindset; skills for “leading the horse to water when you don’t have the reins”; lessons learned from structured interventions which assist with avoiding crucial cost issues.
round
29 October, 15:15 – 16:10 UTC
Enforcement of Dispute Board Decisions
Panel Session
round
29 October, 16:15 – 17:10 UTC
The On-Going Debate on Admissibility of Nonbinding Recommendations
US practice features the nonbinding recommendation, which has spurred the debate about whether the recommendation should be admissible in evidence and considered by a subsequent tribunal, in the event the parties proceed to binding resolution through arbitration or litigation.
round
29 October, 17:15 – 18:10 UTC
Effect of Schedules and Critical Path
round
29 October, 18:15 – 18:45 UTC
Highlights of the Day and Update on DRBF Initiatives
Summary of some key takeaways from the day (including content from attendees, not just presenters) and opportunity for regional presidents to talk about key activities in 2020 and answer questions submitted by membership/attendees.
round
29 October, 18:45 – 19:15 UTC
Post Conference Connections
Grab your favorite beverage and sign in to Zoom meeting rooms for informal discussions about the day’s events or catch up with DRBF friends, old and new. Cameras and microphones on, this is a time to chat with fellow conference attendees and connect over shared interests.
round
Day 3
30 October, 13:15-13:45 UTC
Optional Coffee/Tea Social
Grab your favorite beverage and sign in to Zoom meeting rooms for informal discussions about the day’s events or catch up with DRBF friends, old and new. Cameras and microphones on, this is a time to chat with fellow conference attendees and connect over shared interests. Each room has limited capacity available on a first come, first served basis.
round
30 October, 14 – 14:15 UTC
Welcome and Keynote: Prognosis of Construction Dispute Resolution in a Covid-19 World
Welcome and Introduction: Nicholas Gould, President, DRBF Executive Board of Directors
Keynote: Sir Robert Akenhead, International Arbitrator and former Judge of the UK High Court
round
30 October, 14:15 – 15:25 UTC
Working Cross-Culturally: Impact of Globalization on US Contractors
In recent years, international contractors have been entering the US market and buying US contractors. Dispute Board practitioners need to understand the cultural gaps and communication challenges affecting projects in order to be prepared to navigate changed environments successfully.
round
Charles (Charlie) Kilpatrick, P.E.
Vice President Business Development And Pursuits
The Lane Construction Corporation
Paul Battrick, FRICS, MCIArb, CEDR Accredited Mediator
Managing Director International
Driver Trett
30 October, 15:30 – 16:40 UTC
Navigating the Challenges of Multinational Projects
Major infrastructure projects often have a diverse line-up of participants, with project owners, contractors, engineering firms, consultants, and Dispute Board practitioners all coming from different countries. Further, the landscape continues to change with US engineering firms buying European engineering firms. A discussion of the key factors to successfully navigate the inherent minefield.
round
Henry Musonda, FCIArb
Arbitrator, Adjudicator & Mediator, BEng MEng Construction Mgt, MSc Construction Law & Arbitration, FIDIC Listed Adjudicator and Trainer
Song Dongsheng
Independent Advisor, Power and Infrastructure and Former President, PowerChina International
30 October, 16:45 – 17:55 UTC
Virtual Dispute Boards: Here to Stay?
Covid-19 has changed the way Dispute Boards are being managed and delivered. What are the implications in the short term – lessons learned from the trenches. What are the implications for a post-Covid world?
round
Joseph Gildner
Deputy Executive Director - Project Management, Design and Construction Management
Sound Transit
30 October, 18:00 – 18:15 UTC
Summary of Day 2/Crystal Ball: What does 2021 Hold for DRBF?
Summary of some key takeaways from the day (including content from attendees, not just presenters) and opportunity for look ahead to key activities coming in 2021 and promotions for events in 2021.
round
Andrew Griffiths, MSc, MBA, Pr Eng, C Eng, FSAICE, FICE, FAArb
President, Executive Board of Directors
Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
Elizabeth Tippin
President, Region 1 Board of Directors
Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
30 October, 18:45 – 19:15 UTC
Post Conference Connections
Grab your favorite beverage and sign in to Zoom meeting rooms for informal discussions about the day’s events or catch up with DRBF friends, old and new. Cameras and microphones on, this is a time to chat with fellow conference attendees and connect over shared interests.
round
This Event is Organized By:
Sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
FAQs
Yes! Each session is accompanied by a live chat to propel discussion between speakers and attendees. This is a space to share insights, connect with other professionals in the industry, and ask questions. We recommend joining in 10 minutes early and introducing yourself in the attendee chat before each session begins. The chat is text-only, so there’s no need for a camera or microphone. Don’t forget to upload a profile photo!
The DRBF Connections Conference 2020 is a combination of pre-recorded presentations, insightful panel discussions and live chat rooms.
DRBF Connections Conference 2020 will be exclusively virtual this year.
Although we highly recommend Chrome for the smoothest user experience on any website, here’s a handy link to download Edge, which is Microsoft’s move away from IE. The quality will be compromised on Internet Explorer 8.
The DRBF welcomes sponsors! For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ann Russo at arusso@drb.org.
Yes, presentations and papers will be made available for downloading.
The DRBF will allow access to the event for 30 days after. After 30 days, only members may access the content through the member’s library on the DRBF website.
There are no refunds. If you are unable to attend the conference, recordings will be available for viewing for 30 days after the end of the conference.
Matchbox Virtual Media is partnered with CE21 to put on this event.
For additional information, please contact either Kimberly Peterson (kpeterson@drb.org) or Ann Russo (arusso@drb.org).
