Cost

RCA Member Companies: Unlimited, no-charge registration (does not include golf event)
Nonmember General Contractors: $500/attendee (does not include golf event); conference fees can be applied to membership dues if the GC applies and is accepted for membership within one year after the conference
Retailers: No charge
Architects & Engineers: First registration from each organization, no charge; additional registrants $200

The RCA Annual Conference is open to member GCs, prospective members, retailers, architects & engineers, and developers. Our only vendor attendees are our sponsors. If you are interested in sponsor opportunities, you can view them here or contact [email protected].

Refunds: Refunds will be made for any cancellations received on or before March 1.
Substitute names may be provided at any time.
No refunds will be given for golf if the course decides to cancel the event for weather-related reasons.

Lodging

Reserve through the SPECS room block. Click here for venue information.
You must be registered for the conference to get the group rate. Access code for the room block rate will be provided in your event confirmation email.

Underwriters

Underwriter opportunities are available to RCA members to help support this program and bring added visibility to member companies. Click here to sign up as an underwriter.

Click Here to Register

Schedule of Events

Friday, March 7, 2025

6:00pm–8:00 pm 
Welcome Reception

Saturday, March 8, 2025

7:45–8:00 am
Hot Breakfast Buffet & for Roundtable Moderators

8:00–8:45 am
Hot Breakfast Buffet

8:15–9:15 am 
Roundtables (topics to be announced prior to the conference)

9:15–9:30 am
Welcome Remarks & Sponsor/Underwriter Recognition
Eric Handley, RCA President

9:30–10:30 am
Built for Growth: The Values Based Company
Robert Richman, Former Culture Strategist at Zappos.com & Author of Culture Blueprint
Engaged employees are productive, efficient, and have a great time. This means low turnover, and highly motivated employees you don’t have to micromanage. Values-based companies have employees who manage and motivate themselves. Robert will share stories of the strength of the core values at Zappos.com (a company that became the #6 Best Place to Work in America and #1 in Customer Service), and the science behind why they work so well. Once you learn the secrets behind how values work, you will know how to shape culture. Robert will discuss a process to use in discovering and then implementing the values across the organization.

Robert's remarks will include inspiring stories about how companies shifted their industries; counter-intuitive principles to actively create disruption (rather than getting disrupted!); how to create stability in your organization, so that it’s safe to disrupt without jeopardizing the company; and techniques for shaking up jobs and careers in a way that enlivens people and reinvigorates their passion.

10:30–10:45 am
Break

10:45–11:45 am
Economic Update
Anirban Basu, MPP, MA, JD, Ph.D., Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc.
Sage Policy Group, Inc. is an economic and policy consulting firm that provides strategic analytical services to energy suppliers, law firms, medical systems, government agencies, and real estate developers, among others. In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Dr. Basu as Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Commission (2014-2021). He serves as Chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee. He also serves the chief economist function for Associated Builders and Contractors, the Construction Financial Management Association, the Modular Building Institute, the Maryland Bankers Association, and several others.

He has taught at several universities, most frequently at the Johns Hopkins University. He currently teaches History of Economic Thought at Goucher College as their Distinguished Economist in Residence. Dr. Basu is currently on the boards of the University of Maryland School of Law, St. Mary’s College, the University of Maryland Medical Center, the University System of Maryland Foundation, the Lyric Opera House and the Archdiocese of Baltimore School System. He is also on Truist Bank’s advisory board.

Dr. Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Master’s in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. He acquired his Juris Doctor at the University of Maryland School of Law. He completed his doctoral work at UMBC with a concentration in health economics.

11:45 am–1:15 pm
Lunch

Business Meeting

• Introduction of New Board Members
  
• State of the Association
• Regional Events

Board Transition

• Recognition of Outgoing Board & Advisory Board Members
• Installation of New Officers

Greetings from SPECS

Roundtables (topics to be announced prior to the conference)

1:15pm–2:15 pm
Leading with Generative AI for Game-Changing Business Impact
Priyanka Rao, AI Expert & Strategist; Founder & CEO of AI Champions
Priyanka Rao, who advises organizations across industries on AI implementation, provides business leaders with a practical roadmap for implementing generative AI technologies within their companies. She explores how generative AI can be used to automate complex decision-making processes, enhance creative problem-solving, and generate innovative solutions across various business functions. This practical presentation will include live demonstrations of generative AI tools and for successful integration in businesses functions like HR, Marketing and Customer Service. Priyanka will also discuss strategies for leaders to oversee the governance and deployment of these technologies, ensuring they align with business objectives and ethical standards. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on how to harness the power of generative AI to drive operational efficiency, boost innovation, and maintain competitive advantage in their industries.

2:15–2:30pm
Break & Beverages

2:30–3:00 pm
Introducing RCA’s Workforce Development Youth Outreach Events

3:00 pm
Sponsor Door Prize Drawings
Closing Remarks
Eric Handley, RCA President

6:00–10:00 pm
Dinner & Casino Night - Sports Night!
Cocktail reception, buffet dinner, casino nights & prizes. Rep your favorite sports team (jersey, t-shirt, hat, etc.) and receive extra prize tickets.

RCA will provide shuttle service to/from Cowboys Golf Club.

• 6:00 pm Cocktails
• 6:30 pm Dinner
• 7:00 pm Casino Night & Lawn Games
• 9:00 pm Late Night Snack
• 9:30 pm Prizes Announced (must be present to win)

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Individual Golfers: $200 / Foursome: $800

Click Here to Register
SPECS Information

SPECS 2025 will be held at the Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, TX, March 9-11, 2025. As part of RCA’s continued partnership with Chain Store Age and SPECS, RCA members can take advantage of discounted registration fees. 

For 2025, the RCA Advance Member Rate (by January 15, 2025) for the first registration is $2,199. SPECS is offering an additional second and third person rate of $2,099 each. In order for RCA members to receive the SPECS 2025 registration rate, they must register at the same time, be a verified member of the RCA, meet the SPECS criteria for GC attendees*, and stay at the event hotel during the SPECS event. After January 15, the rate is $2,599 per person.

Registration fees include all meal functions, sessions, exhibits and evening receptions. These rates compare to the non-RCA registration rate of $2,999 (by 10/31/2024), $3,499 (by 2/15/2025), and $3,999 (after 2/15/2025), with only one additional person allowed from each General Contractor.

*To qualify as a non-exhibiting GC company, companies must build stores from the ground up and/or provide total store renovations/remodels. Companies must not offer any facility management/maintenance programs or services. Subcontractors/installers do not quality as a GC. Companies will be evaluated on an individual basis.