World of Modular Agenda
Four Days of Modular Industry Networking, Education & Exhibits
World of Modular provides a place for professionals from around the world who are involved in the modular and offsite construction industries a place to network, exchange ideas, learn from experts, discuss challenges, display new products, and receive well-deserved recognition.
Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to meet, mingle, and learn from the modular construction industry's best and brightest. See the full agenda below for a complete overview of the event.
10:00 AM-8:00 PM - Registration Desk Open
10:00 AM-5:00 PM - Exhibit Hall Setup
11:30 AM - Golf Tournament Check-In
12:30 PM - Golf Tournament Shotgun Start
3:00-5:00 PM - Maximizing Your WOM Experience
5:00-7:00 PM - Opening Party
Breakout Session Descriptions
Accelerating Community Rebuilds: BIM & Modular Workflows for Post-Disaster Recovery
Amr Raafat, Chief Innovation Officer, Windover
Post-disaster rebuilding is often slowed by lengthy permitting, fragmented approvals, and inefficient processes—delaying families' return home for years. This session explores proven real-life case studies, including a collaborative model from California's wildfire recovery efforts, leveraging pre-approved modular housing designs, building information modeling (BIM)-enabled workflows, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data tools, and digital project tracking to dramatically speed up resilient community reconstruction.
Join this session to learn how comprehensive, BIM-coordinated models were developed in collaboration between Windover Construction and the Foothill Catalog Foundation. Attendees will discover practical insights, including:
Attendees will gain insight into:
- How pre-approved designs, BIM, and design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) workflows streamline reviews and accelerate modular deployment.
- Why a digital roadmap in BIM simplifies homeowner decisions and enables AI-supported code review, including Windover-developed Automated Plan Review System (APRS).
- Key lessons from multi-stakeholder collaboration for repeatable, scalable, and sustainable post-disaster recovery.
Session track: Design, Build & Install
AI in Hybrid Modular Construction: Feasibility, Design, & Global Logistics for Mid- to High-Rise Buildings
Stuart Marshall, Director Global Sales, Stack Modular
Mid- to high-rise modular buildings are gaining traction for their efficiency, sustainability, and speed, particularly in hybrid systems combining steel frame modules with traditional elements for enhanced structural performance.
Join this session to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming these processes, enabling faster, more accurate feasibility, design, costing, and building of scalable modular projects. Attendees will discover practical insights into:
- Using AI as an early-stage tool for feasibility studies and generative design.
- Strategies for designing and building resilient mid- to high-rise hybrid modular buildings.
- AI applications in precise costing, risk mitigation, and navigating global supply chain complexities.
Session track: Design, Build & Install
Beyond Robots: How a Culture of Belonging & Dignity Powers Modular Innovation
Merrick Macomber, Founder, Modular Maven
In the race to solve the affordable housing crisis, we've pinned our hopes on robots, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation. But the true game-changer isn't technology alone—it's the people who wield it with purpose, dignity, and a profound sense of belonging.
Drawing from a decade of hands-on experience shaping culture at Prefab Logic and building Autovol—one of the United States’ most advanced robotic modular factories—this session reveals a surprising truth: when cutting-edge automation meets a workplace culture rooted in restoration and empowerment, workers aren't replaced—they thrive.
Hear the inspiring story of how Idaho's "Solutioneers" use robotics not to eliminate jobs, but to reclaim lives—reducing physical strain, unlocking creativity, and delivering high-quality housing faster. Attendees will discover how this same spirit of connection and value transcended borders, fostering thriving teams in the United States and India.
Ultimately, the future of modular construction—and affordable housing—depends not just on innovative machines, but on innovators who feel deeply valued and connected to a greater mission no matter where in the world they work.
This isn't just about building homes. It's about building belonging, restoring dignity in work, and igniting human potential in the unlikeliest places.
Session track: Managing Your Business
Building a Competitive Culture: Systems for Retention, Engagement, & Accountability in Modular Construction
HR Huntsman, President, Leader’s Edge
Amid persistent labor shortages in construction, employee retention isn't just Human Resources—it's a direct driver of revenue, productivity, and project success. Strong culture goes beyond buzzwords: it's built through deliberate systems of rhythms, clear expectations, and balanced accountability.
Join this practical session to learn how to implement a weekly leadership cadence—including 1:1s, team huddles, and after-action reviews (AARs/post-mortems)—to boost engagement, performance, and loyalty without adding bureaucracy.
Attendees will discover two straightforward frameworks for effective coaching and actionable tools to transform culture into a true competitive advantage:
- MAP (Mastery, Autonomy, Purpose): Align roles with intrinsic motivators to foster fulfillment.
- 3Ds (Demand, Deliverables, Development): Set high standards, define clear outcomes, and invest in growth—enabling accountability without micromanagement.
Session track: Managing Your Business
Building Product Platforms to Scale Offsite Manufacturing
Jim Gabriel, CEO, MODLOGIQ
Chris Mortensen, Chief Innovation Officer, MODLOGIQ
Offsite manufacturers grapple with a core dilemma—achieving full custom capability, which brings restarts every project, eroding speed and margins, or rigid standardization, which can mean turning down projects. Most end up stuck in the middle—chasing flexibility that quietly undermines efficiency.
Join this session for a practical, battle-tested framework for developing product platforms in offsite manufacturing. These platforms don't eliminate custom work; instead, they strategically capture repetition-driven gains where it matters most, while intelligently preserving flexibility for market-differentiated needs. Attendees will learn:
- What a product platform is and how product families, configuration rules, and certification boundaries create a structured offering for offsite manufacturers.
- What separates “configurable” from “custom” and why the distinction matters for profitability and speed.
- How digital tools enable manufacturers, developers, and other project stakeholders to move through preconstruction faster while staying within validated product boundaries.
Seasoned industry veterans will share lessons learned from their own transition from a business built on custom commercial work towards a blended model. Expect transparent discussion of successes, challenges, and what stakeholders must change to make product-led offsite construction truly viable. This isn’t a glossy case study—it is practical guidance drawn from active implementation.
Session track: Design, Build & Install
Codes & Standards for Modular Construction: North American & International Perspectives
Ryan Colker, Executive Director, Energy, Resilience & Innovation, International Code Council
Khaled Habib, Principal Technical Lead, CSA Group
Andy Kwong, Product Manager, CSA Group
Sarah Chung, Project Manager, CSA Group
Codes and standards play a pivotal role in expanding off-site and modular construction by delivering consistency, efficiency, and streamlined approvals across design, manufacturing, and installation.
Join this session to explore existing and emerging codes and standards, their applications and benefits, and how the off-site construction industry can facilitate their development and implementation. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of the International Code Council (ICC)/MBI suite of standards, CSA standards and standards being developed via the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), along with perspective on Canada’s regulatory landscape. Topics of focus include:
- Structure and application of provisions for modular projects within the Canadian National Building Code and the International Codes
- Existing and emerging CSA, ICC and ISO standards
- Initiatives to educate Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), inspectors, and stakeholders on efficient review, inspection, and approval processes
Session track: Government & Regulatory Affairs
Economic Decision Tool for Automation Investments in Modular Factories: Breakeven & Sensitivity Analysis
Dr. Jin Ouk Choi, Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Kiran Moktan, PhD Student, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Modular construction factories face significant hurdles when considering automation investments, often due to inadequate financial tools for evaluating returns amid fluctuating costs like labor, tariffs, robotics, and logistics. This session presents a proof-of-concept economic decision-making model designed to bridge this gap, enabling informed investment choices through scenario simulation and sensitivity analysis.
Discover how the model predicts breakeven years and optimal production rates by varying key factors—such as robot costs, labor rates, taxes, tariffs, and supply chain expenses. Real-world applications demonstrate how different automation levels impact return on investment (ROI), helping justify investments with data-driven insights.
Attendees will learn to:
- Identify critical financial barriers and drivers for automation in modular construction.
- Apply the tool for comparative economic analysis across diverse automation scenarios.
- Leverage sensitivity analysis to evaluate impacts and build robust justifications for automation decisions.
Session track: Research & Innovation
From Foundation to Roof in a Week: Mastering Multistory Modular Installation
Scott Bridger, Co-Founder, Principal, ProSet, LLC
The multifamily construction industry in the United States is embracing offsite modular methods to combat persistent labor shortages, rising costs, and project delays. Leading manufacturers are leveraging automation, technology, and innovative design to deliver high-quality commercial modular buildings faster than ever.
But successful multistory modular projects hinge on flawless onsite installation. What key factors ensure everything goes right—and how do you avoid costly pitfalls?
Join this session for an insider's guide to the complete installation process. From initial site assessments before construction begins to precisely setting the final module with cranes, attendees will learn strategies that make installation—though a small portion of the overall timeline—the critical cornerstone of project success.
Session track: Design, Build & Install
Hiring is Hard. Making it Harder is Optional: Practical Recruiting Fixes for Growing Modular Companies
John Kowalczyk, Founder, Risus Talent Partners
Keith Jeremiah, Founder, Risus Talent Partners
Jordanne Ringwald, Founder, Risus Talent Partners
As modular construction demand continues to grow, many companies are finding that their biggest constraint isn’t backlog, capital, or demand - it’s people. From the branch floor to senior leadership, recruiting and hiring breakdowns are quietly slowing growth, increasing costs, and putting pressure on operational performance across the modular industry.
Led by seasoned HR leaders and recruiters with deep experience in modular and offsite environments, this session cuts through the noise with a data-informed, no-fluff analysis of today’s hiring landscape across the United States and a deep-dive into the five most common (and avoidable) recruiting pitfalls that can quietly sabotage modular growth.
Attendees will learn practical, immediately actionable ways to improve recruiting and hiring outcomes without lowering the bar. If you’re responsible for scaling teams, improving operations, or hitting aggressive growth targets, this session is for you.
Session track: Managing Your Business
Making Modular Work: Navigating Capital, Contracts, UCC, Insurance & Collaboration
Alon Lagstein, Attorney, Carlton Fields
Offsite and modular construction methods promise faster delivery, cost savings, and higher quality—but they can also introduce unique financing challenges that often deter traditional lenders. Join this session for an overview of the legal, financial, and practical hurdles in funding projects involving volumetric modular or other prefabricated components, along with strategies to help mitigate risks and enable successful deals.
Attendees will gain actionable insights to help bridge the financing gap, reduce lender hesitation, and unlock the full potential of modular construction across key topics including:
- How lenders can meaningfully mitigate risk by structuring loan advances, using collateral assignments of construction and manufacturing contracts, and establishing appropriate controls for staging areas and laydown yards.
- The critical interplay between the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and common law in governing contracts and collateral—particularly as modules transition from personal property (goods) in the factory to fixtures in the real property upon installation.
- Documentation options available for various deal sizes and team structure, including where the borrower, general contractor, and manufacturer may be vertically integrated.
- Insurance strategies to create comprehensive "wrap" coverage spanning manufacturing, transportation, delivery, and on-site assembly, while avoiding gaps or overlaps.
- Practical, non-legal strategies—such as preapproving design and construction teams—that can help align all stakeholders and improve project outcomes.
Session track: Managing Your Business
MBI's Canadian PMC Industry Reporting
Tom Hardiman, CAE, Executive Director, Modular Building Institute
MBI gathers and distributes statistical information about the size and growth of the commercial modular building industry on an annual basis. This analysis has become the leading source of information on the industry and is used worldwide by investment firms, banks, academia, and the media.
MBI partnered with FMI Consulting to provide the best possible industry data and analysis in our annual reporting. Join this session to hear findings for the Canadian permanent modular construction (PMC) industry.
Session track: Research & Innovation
MBI Government Affairs Update: A Comprehensive View of The U.S. Policy Landscape for the Modular Industry
Alex Carmack, Government Affairs Director, Modular Building Institute
Andrew Muchnick, Government Affairs Manager, Modular Building Institute
The United States modular industry's policy landscape remains highly active. Join this session for an in-depth overview of the legislative and regulatory issues facing the modular industry, including:
- A review of major developments in 2025
- Opportunities and threats in 2026 across all levels of government
- Policy issues (e.g., prevailing wage for offsite fabrication, state adoption of modular for affordable housing, code and standards adoption, federal action on manufactured housing and the implications for our industry, and more)
Attendees will have ample opportunities for Q&A and discussion and discover how to get involved in MBI’s policy and advocacy efforts to protect and grow the industry.
Session track: Government & Regulatory Affairs
MBI's Relocatable Building Industry Reporting
Tom Hardiman, CAE, Executive Director, Modular Building Institute
MBI gathers and distributes statistical information about the size and growth of the commercial modular building industry on an annual basis. This analysis has become the leading source of information on the industry and is used worldwide by investment firms, banks, academia, and the media.
Join this session to hear findings for the North American relocatable building (RB) industry.
Session track: Research & Innovation
MBI's United States PMC Industry Reporting
Tom Hardiman, CAE, Executive Director, Modular Building Institute
MBI gathers and distributes statistical information about the size and growth of the commercial modular building industry on an annual basis. This analysis has become the leading source of information on the industry and is used worldwide by investment firms, banks, academia, and the media.
MBI partnered with FMI Consulting to provide the best possible industry data and analysis in our annual reporting. Join this session to hear findings for the United States permanent modular construction (PMC) industry, which includes more specific regional data based on the four geographic U.S. regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) identified by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Session track: Research & Innovation
Modular Momentum in Canada: Navigating & Unlocking Opportunities
Megan Stanley, Senior Director, Proof Strategies
McCartney Lee, Associate Account Director, Proof Strategies
Canada's modular construction sector is experiencing unprecedented momentum, fueled by strong federal commitments—including Build Canada Homes' focus on factory-built and modular methods to rapidly deliver thousands of affordable units—and growing recognition as a key solution to the national housing shortage.
At the same time, urgent infrastructure needs in healthcare, education, and climate-resilient building present major opportunities for modular innovation.
Join this session, led by MBI’s in-country team, Proof Strategies to learn about opportunities and challenges for the industry across Canada, gain insights into MBI in-country activities, and discover how to get involved in MBI’s Canadian efforts.
Session track: Research & Innovation
Modular & Mobile Nuclear Facilities: 18+ Years of Deployable Solutions from NNSA NA-232
Doug Lowry, Senior Technical Advisor, National Nuclear Security Administration
For over 18 years, the United States’ National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) NA-232 program—partnering with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories and private vendors—has pioneered modular and mobile facilities housed in standard 20x8 containers for uranium and plutonium processing, stabilization, characterization, and packaging. These systems address critical nuclear safety and security challenges worldwide, offering rapid, flexible deployment in diverse environments.
Join this session to explore the program's evolution, rigorous testing under extreme weather and emergency conditions, adaptations for specialized equipment, and design strategies that ensure high performance and multi-modal transport readiness.
Attendees will gain insights into proven methodologies that enable quick setup, reliable operation, and global deployability—now a growing model for solving previously intractable nuclear material management issues.
Session track: Government & Regulatory Affairs
Next-Level Design Strategies: Pioneering the Future of Offsite Construction
Dean Dalvit, Principal, Architect, and PE, EVstudio, LLC
Nate Peterson, CEO & Founder, Vederra Modular
The offsite construction industry is at a pivotal inflection point. Forward-thinking manufacturers, designers, and developers are embracing smarter, more adaptable design strategies to unlock greater efficiency, flexibility, and market opportunities.
Join this session to explore cutting-edge approaches ready for implementation today, including:
- Innovative hybrid models that blend modular, panelized, and mass-timber (CLT) elements to optimize structural performance, minimize material waste, and expand design flexibility
- Alternating Modular Layup, a breakthrough configuration that delivers significantly more usable square footage with fewer modules, while improving load distribution and simplifying MEP integration
- Reversible Design, an approach for disassembly, relocation, repurposing, or re-scaling buildings over time to deliver long-term economic value, support circular-economy goals, and future-proof offsite production
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to elevate their capabilities and position their organization for the future of construction.
Session track: Design, Build & Install
Opportunity Zones 2.0 and Modular Construction: Converting Policy Incentives into Scalable Projects
Jill Homan, Deputy Director, Trade & Economy Policy and Campaign Director, AFPI
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 2025) has made Opportunity Zones permanent—ushering in "OZ 2.0". How can modular developers, manufacturers, and partners lever OZ 2.0 to finance and scale projects in the United States?
Join this session to explore what has changed in the latest legislation, how the new incentives work, and why modular construction is particularly well-suited to attract long-term, impact-oriented capital.
Attendees will learn practical strategies to align site selection, project design, and delivery speed with OZ 2.0 investment criteria to unlock capital, reduce financing friction, and deliver housing and commercial projects more efficiently in both urban and rural markets.
Session track: Government & Regulatory Affairs
Peak Performance: 57 Units, 36 Modules & a G7 Deadline
Rhys Kane, Director of Business Development, ROC Modular Inc.
With the world’s leaders headed to Kananaskis, Alberta for the 2025 G7 Summit, there was no room for "schedule slip." How do you deliver a 25,000 sq. ft. housing complex in the heart of the Rockies in time for a global summit? Through collaborative design-build strategies that aligned stakeholders from Day 1.
Join this case-based session to explore how modular construction can solve one of the toughest challenges in tourism-dependent mountain regions: delivering high-quality staff housing under tight deadlines and remote logistics constraints.
Attendees will gain insights into harmonizing high-density modular design with sensitive natural landscapes and learn how modular construction, when paired with strong client-designer-builder collaboration, can deliver speed, quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, offering a scalable blueprint for hospitality, resort, and park housing worldwide.
Session track: Design, Build & Install
Putting the Pieces Together for Success in Modular Construction
Erlend Spets, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company
Modular construction is booming — driven by labor shortages, sustainability goals, and advances in data, tech, and manufacturing — yet many companies struggle to scale, and high-profile bankruptcies have made headlines. Drawing on McKinsey’s latest research across 700+ companies operating in the modular construction industry across the globe, this session reveals what it takes to succeed in the industry.
Join this session to learn about the latest industry developments, the value at stake for successful players, and what it takes to win at scale.
Session track: Research & Innovation
Quality Matters: What Developers Should Look for in a Modular Factory
Tommy Rakes, CEO, Guerdon, LLC
Selecting a modular factory is a high-stakes decision for developers—and understanding how to evaluate quality before, during, and after production is essential.
Join this session to learn:
- What “quality” really means in modular and why it directly impacts risk, schedule, and long-term performance.
- What to look for during a factory tour, key questions to ask leadership and production teams, and warning signs that may indicate quality or capacity issues.
- How to assess track record, production readiness, and alignment with project needs before committing.
Drawing from decades of hands-on experience from a seasoned industry veteran, attendees will leave equipped with a practical, actionable framework to confidently navigate factory selection, build strong working relationships, minimize surprises, and set their projects up for success.
Session track: Development Opportunities & Sustainable Practices
Securing Grants & Incentives for Your Modular Plant: From Strategic Planning to Real Accountability
Ben Gaxiola, CEO, Co-Founder, MODMAX
Grants and incentives for modular manufacturing in the United States aren’t “free money” – they require rigorous planning, credible forecasts, workforce alignment, and ongoing accountability to deliver results.
Drawing from hard-won, founder-tested experience, this session delivers a practical, cross-state framework to:
- Initiate productive conversations with state and regional economic development agencies, workforce boards, and incentive programs
- Align your capital expansion, site selection, and hiring plans with available funding streams
- Advance applications confidently—even when details aren’t fully locked in
- Leverage Modular Building Institute (MBI) resources, tools, and advocacy networks to strengthen your case
Attendees will walk away equipped to pursue high-impact incentives responsibly to accelerate their modular plant's growth.
Session track: Government & Regulatory Affairs
Standardizing Structural Systems: Unlocking the Next Era of Modular Construction
Cooper Lane, President, True Volumetric Corp.
The modular construction industry needs standardization to scale efficiently. Enter Metaloq—a precision-prefabricated structural superstructure that supports both 3D volumetric modular construction and panelized building systems.
Join this case-based session to explore how this unified, repeatable structural platform can be integrated into panelized and volumetric workflows to improve speed, quality, and scalability while reducing cost, boosting reliability, and positioning manufacturers for high-volume, future-ready modular production.
Session track: Design, Build & Install
Streamlining Modular Development: Process & Technology Best Practices
RJ Mahadev, CEO, RaaP Builders, Inc.
Christopher Herr, Design Director, Adam Berger Development, LLC
Multifamily developers often hesitate to embrace modular construction due to higher upfront costs, perceived risks, and contingencies that can erode Return on Investment (ROI). But with the right strategies, modular delivers faster timelines, lower overall costs, and minimized risks through precision factory processes and digital integration.
Building on insights from the developer panel discussion, this interactive deep dive explores digital workflows, designs and tools that drive effective modular delivery, including:
- Site selection tool: ensuring the site and development requirements are a good fit for modular.
- DfMA-optimized designs: building a design library and clarifying the role of the product architect in design for manufacture and assemble.
- Navigating scope and budgets: assembly-based pricing methodologies and United States pricing databases that can clarify general contractor and fabricator scope and budgets.
- Architect-Fabricator-GC coordination: digital workflows and tools to align permit sets with shop drawings and factory components with on-site work.
Join this session—tailored for developers, architects, fabricators, and general contractors—to gain actionable insights to enhance project ROI, de-risk modular adoption, and position your team at the forefront of this evolving sector.
Session track: Development Opportunities & Sustainable Practices
Streamlining Modular Housing: Developer View
Jan Lindenthal, Chief Investment Officer, San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund
Ryan Cassidy, Vice President of Real Estate, Mutual Housing California
Christopher Herr, Design Director, Adam Berger Development, LLC
Tyler Pullen, Assistant Director of Building Innovation, Terner Labs; Researcher, Terner Center for Housing Innovation, UC Berkeley
RJ Mahadev, CEO, RaaP Builders, Inc.
Multifamily developers often hesitate to embrace modular construction due to higher upfront costs, perceived risks, and contingencies that can erode Return on Investment (ROI). But with the right strategies, modular delivers faster timelines, lower overall costs, and minimized risks through precision factory processes and digital integration.
Join this interactive, case-based discussion—geared for developers, architects, and general contractors—to learn about successes and lessons learned from an effective modular delivery approach. Attendees will gain actionable insights into:
- Picking the right project: site and development requirements that are a good fit for modular.
- Entitlement and financing: code, policy and financing issues that can make or break the project before it starts.
- Optimizing designs for DfMA: designs that optimize fabrication throughput in the design for manufacture and assembly process.
- Architect-Fabricator-GC co-ordination: managing distributed scopes, negotiating budgets and contingencies, and aligning factory with on-site activities.
Session track: Development Opportunities & Sustainable Practices
Look Back at the 2025 World of Modular
Browse our gallery below to see photos from the 2025 World of Modular in Las Vegas. Featuring over 1700 global attendees, nearly 200 exhibitors, dozens of breakout sessions, trade school and university students from across the US, this event was our biggest yet!
Meet the Industry's Best in Las Vegas
The 2026 World of Modular will be hosted by the Modular Building Institute from April 20-23 at the luxurious Bellagio Hotel & Casino, a world-renowned property at the heart of the electric Las Vegas Strip.
Use group code SMBI0426BE for MBI's discounted room rate.
Bellagio Hotel & Casino
3600 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
888-987-6667
Watch out for phishing! Here's our list of identified scammers.
