INNOVATION

COHORT

2026

February 24-26, 2026
Phoenix/Scottsdale Area, AZ

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE LBM INDUSTRY

February 24-26, 2026 | Phoenix/Scottsdale Area, AZ

Join Our Innovation Cohort to Explore Emerging Technologies
and Drive Industry Growth

Are you ready to move the lumber and building materials industry forward? A dynamic new cohort of independent lumber dealers is forming and bringing together forward-thinking professionals like you to:

SHARE IDEAS: Connect with peers, discuss challenges, and brainstorm innovative solutions.

LOOK OUTSIDE THE BOX: Explore successful strategies and technologies from other industries.

ADAPT & ADOPT: Discover and implement new and emerging technologies relevant to our sector.

STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Position your business for long-term success in a rapidly evolving landscape.

DETAILS

WHO: Hand-selected industry leaders

WHEN: February 24 to 26, 2026

SESSION LOCATION: Simpson Strong-Tie Training Center (2850 S. Cooper Road, Building #3, Chandler, AZ 85286)

HOMEBASE HOTEL: Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town (7324 East Indian School Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85251)

COST: Participants to book their own flights and hotel

AGENDA: Schedule set in MST and subject to change. Transportation will be provided between the hotel and training center.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24:

By 4:00PM MST: Arrive at Hotel
5:00PM: Meet at the Hotel bar, BLVD Kitchen & Bar, for drinks and networking
- BLVD Kitchen & Bar (7324 E Indian School Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251)
6:15PM: Walk to dinner
6:30PM: Dinner at Frashers Tavern (4180 N Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85251)
- Post Dinner Recommendations
  - Rockbar (4245 North Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, AZ 85251) Outdoor sports bar with music
  - Pour Decisions Patio & Kitchen (4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, AZ 85251) Drinks, food, and live entertainment

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25

6:30AM: Breakfast at Hotel (On Your Own)
7:30AM: Depart for Training Center (Meet in Hotel Lobby)
8:00AM: Toolbx Presentation*
A focused presentation on how lumberyards are using AI today, including practical examples and lessons learned from the field.
*may move to Wednesday morning
9:00AM: Cohort Sessions
- 9:00AM: Quick Introductions and Agenda Review
- 10:00AM: AI Discovery Workshop
  This in person session helps stakeholders identify and prioritize high value AI opportunities with measurable ROI by combining real world use cases, pain point mapping, and practical evaluation of feasibility and business impact. Facilitated by an AI expert and a design thinking consultant, the workshop will deliver a ranked list of 3 to 5 pilot ready use cases with clear next steps for execution.
- 12:00PM: Lunch
- 12:30PM: AI Discovery Workshop Continued
- 5:00PM: Wrap Day 1
5:00PM: Travel to Hotel
5:45PM: Walk to Dinner (Meet in Hotel Lobby)
6:00PM: Dinner at The Mission Old Town (3815 N Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85251)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26

6:30AM: Breakfast at Hotel (On Your Own)
7:30AM: Depart for Training Center (Meet in Hotel Lobby)
8:00AM: Cohort Sessions
- 8:00AM: Innovation Ideas Round Robin
  Cohort members will share the most effective innovation actions their organizations are using to educate teams and drive continuous improvement.
- 9:00AM: AI Estimating Update
  A live progress update on Simpson’s AI Estimating platform using real jobs. We will also discuss how cohort members can join the next wave of BETA users.
- 9:50AM: Break
- 10:00AM: The 2030 Delivery Innovation Sprint
12:00PM: Wrap Day 2, Next Steps, Lunch To-Go
We will close with clear commitments, pilot opportunities, and cross cohort follow through plans.
Depart

LOOKING AHEAD: FALL 2026 COHORT

Nashville Area: Connect with industry peers in one of the best cities in the country
Meritage Job Site Visits: Combine meaningful learning with real world field exposure
Simpson New State of the Art Fastener Manufacturing Facility and Construction Innovation Lab Tour: Get an inside look at Simpson’s new state of the art fastener manufacturing facility, and a tour of Simpson’s Construction Innovation Lab, bringing together strategy, operations, innovation, and relationship building in a way that will challenge and inspire the group

ACTION STEPS

REGISTER

RSVP to attend and reserve the date on your calendar.

Can’t attend? Don’t worry, we’ll have more cohorts in the future!
BOOK HOTEL

Reserve your room at the home base hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town

Backup Hotel Options include:
- Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town: Booking link
- Hyatt House Scottsdale/Old Town: Booking link

Attendees cover hotel fees on their own. Shuttles and transportation will be provided for the group.

BOOK YOUR ROOM!
BOOK FLIGHT

The best airport for flights is Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX).

Please plan to arrive in Scottsdale by
4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24 and depart as you would like after
noon on Thursday, February 26.

Attendees cover flight fees on their own.
GET COHORT READY!

Pack your bag and get ready to engage!
Dress code is business casual during the day and business/dressy for dinners.

Scottsdale temperatures during the event are highs in the 70s°F and cooler nights in the 40s-50s°F