Update: The Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects 1 HSW

Allyson Bennett, Public Information Officer for the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects

Review of upcoming changes to Board Rules, design professional deals, technical submissions, and continuing education requirements and audits.

Ethical Employment Practices: Legislative Updates on Paid Sick Leave and Medical Marijuana 1 LU | ETHICS

Erin L. Ebeler, Attorney, Woods|Aitken; Sarah L. Carstensen, Attorney, Woods|Aitken

In November 2024, Nebraskans passed ballot initiatives relating to paid sick leave and medical marijuana by large margins. These laws go into effect in 2025 and will impact employers throughout Nebraska. In June 2025, the Unicameral passed significant amendments to the paid sick leave bill, and the commission established to regulate medical marijuana began its work. This presentation will help employers in navigating these new requirements in conjunction with other laws they may also be governed by, including DOT regulations and federal contractor sick leave requirements.

Navigating Risk, Roles, and Responsibility in Building Performance 1 HSW

Building Enclosure Panel, Moderator, David Holtzclaw, Ph.D., P.E., BCxP, C.E.M, HERS Rater, Energy Star/PHIUS+ Verifier, President, Transduction Technologies
Sponsored by the AIA NE Building Enclosure Committee

Future Proof Your Culture 1 LU

Angela Cooper, CEO & founder, Mindpower Strategic
Sponsored by the AIA NE EDI Committee

In a world of constant change, a resilient and aligned culture is your firm’s best competitive advantage. This session will explore the true nature of culture, the four essential dimensions of organizational health, and practical tools to drive alignment and momentum. Learn how individuals at every level can actively shape a healthier, high-performing culture—together.

Beyond Image Generators: AI in the Design Process 1 LU

Matthew Goldsberry, AIA | Global Director of Computational Design | HDR

While image-generating AI tools such as MidJourney and Stable Diffusion have become widely adopted in architectural visualization, a parallel transformation is underway in the domain of software development. Recent advancements in AI-assisted coding—popularly referred to as “vibe coding,” a term introduced by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025—are transforming the way custom design applications are conceived and deployed. Tools like Cursor, Windsurf, and GitHub Copilot now enable users to generate functional code through natural language prompts, significantly lowering the barriers to software creation. This evolution is particularly relevant to architectural practice, where the ability to prototype bespoke digital tools rapidly can streamline workflows, enhance design iteration, and extend creative agency. At HDR, we have begun integrating AI coding frameworks into our design processes, developing a suite of targeted applications that respond dynamically to project-specific needs. This presentation will provide an overview of emerging AI coding technologies, examine their growing influence across disciplines, and share practical case studies of tool development within an architectural context. Attendees will gain insights into how these tools are enabling new modes of computational design and opening pathways for non-traditional software authorship in architecture.

Multistudio – Selected Works and Design Impact 1 HSW

Multistudio, formerly Gould Evans, received the 2025 AIA/ALA Library Building Award for the Center for Missouri Studies at the University of Missouri. Designed as the State Historical Society’s primary library and archive, the facility serves as a cultural and civic hub, blending research, exhibitions, and community engagement. The award recognizes architectural excellence in library design. Multistudio’s multidisciplinary approach prioritizes equity, sustainability, and social impact—values embedded throughout the project. With a culture rooted in collaboration and diverse perspectives, the firm continues to use design as a catalyst for meaningful, place-based change.

Navigating the U.S. Electric Grid: An Architect’s Essential Guide 1 HSW

Amanda Bogner, PE BEMP, Vice President, Catalyst Partners; Dan Overbey, AIA, NCARB, LEED Fellow, LEED AP (BD+C, ID+C, O+M), WELL AP, Director of Sustainability, Browning Day

As the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry pushes toward sustainability and energy efficiency, many architects lack a fundamental understanding of
the U.S. electric grid and its impact on building design. With emerging trends such as all-electric buildings, renewable integration, and demand response programs, architects must grasp how their design choices influence and interact with grid infrastructure. The grid’s reliability, resilience, and carbon emissions are critical factors shaping the built
environment, particularly in large-scale projects like data centers.

This session addresses the knowledge gap by providing architects with an overview of the electric grid’s structure, the stakeholders involved, and how electricity is generated,
transmitted, and distributed. Attendees will learn how key grid concepts, including reliability and resilience, affect building design, and how incorporating strategies like
demand response can reduce carbon emissions. The knowledge and skills gained will empower architects to make informed decisions that align with the grid’s needs while
advancing sustainability goals. Understanding these dynamics is essential as the AEC industry moves toward decarbonization and grid-responsive design, ensuring buildings contribute to a more resilient and low-carbon future.

179D Today and Tomorrow: The Future of Green Building Tax Incentives 1 LU

Jillian Jones, Director, KBKG; Todd Wells, Account Director, KBKG

The 179D Tax Deduction has been around since 2005 but has seen some large changes over the last year. In this introductory presentation, our licensed professional engineer and experts discuss the background of this powerful Green Building Tax Incentive, and the recent changes created by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This session includes details about the alternative qualification path known as the Retrofit Program and what this new path means for building owners and designers of buildings.