Seminars

Upcoming Program Events

CONTRACTOR FOCUS CURRICULUM

The construction management series is geared toward contractors or consultants wishing to hone their skills in estimating, bidding, and project management. The construction management series is taught by Tim Poehnelt, P.E., owner and director of Nugen Companies, LLC.  Mr. Poehnelt has 20 years of experience in the heavy civil construction industry and an extensive background in project management, estimating, and business development.

Contractor Seminar 5: Documentation, Risk Prevention, and Small Business Tools

Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Stop spending your time reacting to problems! Successful project management involves preventing problems versus reacting to problems. This seminar focuses on identifying and preventing risk as it relates to each individual cost category of labor, equipment, material, and subcontractors. Additionally, we will discuss the best practices of managing a claim as well as proper project documentation and closeout procedures.

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Contractor Seminar 6: Data Workflow for the Small Business

Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

This seminar will look specifically at the workflow of using low-cost solutions towards employee time reporting, ability for QuickBooks to perform job/ activity costing, and data analysis tools and tips. Topics taught in this seminar are something every construction business needs, but few achieve at an efficient level. This seminar will look at possible solutions that small businesses can perform and afford.

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“Meeting was very informative. I should had included both of my estimators.”

2023 BCDP Participant

CONSULTANT FOCUS CURRICULUM

Consultant Focus Curriculum

The consultant management series is led and/or hosted by Carrie Bristoll-Groll, PE, ENV SP, Executive Vice President, Engineering Services Division of AQUALIS.  Carrie has 30 years of experience in civil engineering, 21 of which was as the owner of Stormwater Solutions Engineering, LLC (SSE), a certified Small- and Woman-owned Business. SSE was acquired by AQUALIS in 2023, leading SSE into it’s next generation as the Enginering Services Division for the national stormwater maintenance and restoration company. In the early days of SSE, Carrie was also a student of the MMSD Business Capacity Development Program training sessions, completing the cycle of student to trainer.

For the 2024 Program, the curriculum will be geared to winning work with MMSD.  A new emphasis will be presented on the business use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) where appropriate within each topic. Carrie will prepare sessions on topics that her company has focused on to advance the business and focus on core aspects. These topics will be held in 6 sessions that are consultant specific, but the beauty of combining the contractor/consultant program will allow more cross-marketing and connection.  Topics will include:

Consultant Seminar 4: Project Safety and Risk Management on MMSD Projects

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Participants will be provided with an overview and links to the various MMSD safety courses available (training/mmsd.com, PPII Training, etc.). We will have review risks and insurance requirements for various types of consultant/professional services projects.  We talk with insurance providers on coverage that is needed and ways to reduce risk and premium costs, and use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to research insurance and risk reducing measures.

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Consultant Seminar 5, Proposal Development Part 2. Resume and Representative Project Examples

Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

MMSD proposals require resumes and previous project examples that demonstrate a firm’s ability to perform the services based upon past history.  We will walk through a Request for Proposal (RFP) looking specifically at what the RFP requests for experience and project background, and then build a resume and project example template based upon the desired experience and use of AI for better resume and project example formats.

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Consultant Seminar 6, Proposal Development Part 3. Putting it all Together

Thursday, April 18, 2024| 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Our last session on Proposal Development will look at the whole package.  Pulling teams and documents together from Parts 1 and 2, we’ll assemble a document that can demonstrate to the review panel that your team has what it takes to perform the services.

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Network Sessions

Throughout the program year, a variety of networking events will be held to encourage relationship building amongst BCDP participants, MMSD staff, and other District vendors.

Network Session: Contractor/ Consultant Panel Discussion

Thursday July 18, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Our team will facilitate a live interview of two successful SWMBE business owners as to their experience in working with MMSD and highlighting tips on their success. Audience members will be allowed to ask questions during the 45-minute interview. A networking reception will follow with a lunch, which will allow attendees to connect with the main guest, MMSD Staff, and with each other. The entire event will be filmed and made into a short course that can be accessed on the MMSD Learn Site. For the 2024 BCDP, this will be a combined event that utilizes one contactor and one consultant guest. This event has become a program participant favorite. You will not want to miss it!

Register today!

Network Session: CEO Roundtable

Led by “serial entrepreneur” Gene Wright, of Wright Innovation, Inc. a CEO Roundtable is the perfect opportunity to gather with other CEO’s leading companies from all backgrounds and all sizes in the SWMBE categories. Compare notes and headaches with business peers, in an open roundtable format, participate in a peer advisory session when a problematic decision is needed in your company, or just learn best practices from one another.  A commitment to all 8 sessions is desired to get the full benefit and connection with the group.

CEO roundtable discussion tailored to discuss topics that may include company structure, talent acquisition, financials, software, project development, insurance, succession planning, inconsistent workflow, and other aspects of being a business owner. Sessions will alternate between virtual using Microsoft Teams, and in-person at the Global Water Center, 247 Freshwater Way, Milwaukee, WI.

It is preferred to have a consistent group of participants to build connections within the group.  The group is capped at 12 participants, so please check and commit to all dates before signing up. 

Virtual Sessions are scheduled via Microsoft Teams on the following dates:

April 17, 2024, 8:00-9:30 a.m.

June 19, 2024, 8:00-9:30 a.m.

August 14, 2024, 8:00-9:30 a.m.

October 16, 2024, 8:00-9:30 a.m.

In-person Sessions are scheduled to be held at the Global Water Center, 247 Freshwater Way, Milwaukee 1st floor Boardroom on the following dates: (Coffee and a light breakfast will be served)

March 13, 2024, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

May 22, 2024, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

September 18, 2024, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

November 13, 2024, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Register today!

Past Program Events

Contractor Seminar 1: Contract Opportunities with MMSD

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

This seminar will marry MMSD core responsibilities of wastewater treatment, flood management, green infrastructure, and water quality with the contractor project opportunities in these categories. This seminar will be designed for participants to gain a foundation of knowledge as it relates to MMSD with hopes of drawing a larger contractor interest in these projects. This seminar is designed to expand your knowledge of MMSD. Topics will include MMSD related contract opportunities, vendor registration, SWMBE & Local workforce requirements, developing project selection criteria, and understanding the overall low bid environment.

Register today!

Contractor Seminar 2: Estimating Foundations

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

This seminar focuses on the components of a detailed estimate. Topics will include how to budget for insurance, labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors. Furthermore, we will discuss the difference of margin and markup when budgeting for overhead, profit, and bond fees. If you are using a spreadsheet or estimate software, the fundamentals taught in this seminar are essential to building a reliable estimate.

Register today!

“Tim’s presentation was extremely informative, and it has motivated me to re-engage with MMSD and its contractors. Thank you MMSD and Tim!”

2023 BCDP Participant

Consultant Seminar 1: Consulting opportunities with MMSD

Thursday, February 1, 2024 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Following up from the 2024 Annual Consultant Meeting (date yet to be determined), this seminar will introduce new consultants to the project opportunities that may arise in 2024. Using the Annual Consultant Contract list and the Proposed O&M and Capital Budgets report, we will walk through the documents with an eye toward the audience on what projects they might be interested in pursuing in 2024.  Featuring guest speaker MMSD Engineering Design Manager Kevin Lyons (invited).

Register today!

Consultant Seminar 2: Proposal Development Part 1. Team Development

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Just like baking a great batch of cookies, sometimes the winning recipe is in the right combination of ingredients. We will review an RFP along with SSE’s “go/no-go” form to determine when additional resources are needed, how to find and develop relationships with the additional resources, and assemble a winning team.

Register today!

Contractor Seminar 3: Preparing a Bid from Start to Finish

Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

This seminar focuses on the task and timeline needed to assemble a bid as a prime contractor and subcontractor. The seminar includes a step-by-step walkthrough of the recommended steps and best practices to estimate a MMSD project.

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Contractor Seminar 4: Operations & Management

Thursday, March 7, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

The seminar will be structured to immerse the user in what it is like to be either a general contractor or subcontractor on an MMSD project through the planning, execution, and closeout phases of a project. Topics will include project award, contract execution, subcontracts, purchase orders, submittals, schedule, safety, and quality control. These are the basics you need to know if you want to be a general contractor or subcontractor on almost any construction project.

Register today!

Consultant Seminar 3: Marketing your Services

Thursday, March 14, 2024 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Going beyond the typical Marketing course, we will speak specifically on how to get in front of your future client, whether MMSD or as a subconsultant to a larger firm.  We will discuss successful practices on how to reach the clients, what to offer, and how to secure long-term relationships. Our panel will include invited prime firm consultants, subconsultants, and an MMSD Project Manager.

Register today!