Record-breaking performance, bold innovation, and a new generation of leaders are redefining what’s possible in AEC.
ElevateAEC 2025 didn’t just open like any other conference. It blasted off like a jet on full throttle. From the moment attendees shouted back “the need for speed,” the tone was set – this was going to be the fastest, most high-energy gathering the AEC industry has ever seen. Over two days in San Antonio, more than a thousand leaders came together to swap ideas, celebrate wins, and dive into the data shaping the future of the industry. The message was loud and clear – if you’re not moving faster, you’re already falling behind.
And the numbers proved this to be true. According to Zweig Group’s 2025 awards data, profit margins across the industry surged to 17.5% – the highest in 37 years – while backlogs stretched to a record 10.7 months, giving firms unprecedented confidence in their pipelines. Return on equity hit an eye-popping 45%, showing just how much value today’s firms are creating for their people and owners alike. The takeaway? This isn’t just a strong market. It’s a once-in-a-generation moment where the smartest, fastest firms are turning momentum into historic performance.
Speed wasn’t the full story, though. Culture also took center stage. Data from the Best Firms to Work For program revealed 82% of top workplaces are also high-profit firms. This proves that investing in people pays off in dollars and impact. Bonuses are also trending up, which is a signal of progress on compensation pressures. However, employees also voiced concern that leadership isn’t moving fast enough on innovation and AI. The message rang clear. In today’s market, culture isn’t “nice to have.” It’s an engine that fuels profitability, retention, and long-term growth.
Growth was another headline-grabber. Firms on the Hot Firm List posted an average of 122% revenue increase over just three years, which is nearly double the pace of the broader market. The data showed that while organic growth is powerful, the firms combining it with smart acquisitions are the ones rocketing to the top. Add in the proof that Marketing Excellence Award winners were nearly twice as likely to be fast-growth firms, and the formula became impossible to ignore – agility, strategy, and bold investment are the afterburners driving today’s breakout success stories.
AEC Innovation Award winners pushed the energy in the room even higher. IMEG took home the gold for its IDEA program, which empowers employees to transform concepts into tools like VR systems and sustainability calculators. HFA earned silver for its firmwide AI Search Assistant, while MAKE projects captured bronze for redefining how AEC firms blend finance and design strategy.
Leadership and workforce evolution tied it all together. From the Rising Stars honored at the gala to the spotlights on Engineers Without Borders and ElevateHER, the focus was on people who are reshaping the profession and pushing it forward with purpose. At the same time, data revealed a growing generational gap – emerging leaders want faster innovation and greater adaptability, while senior leadership often hesitate to move at that pace. The challenge ahead is clear: building cultures and pipelines that not only attract top talent but also empower them to lead the industry into its next era.
The awards gala was a show-stopping reminder of why this event matters. Amy Jones of O’Connell Robertson was surprised on stage with the Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award, which celebrated her people-first leadership style and steady guiding hand while her firm underwent transformational growth. The Best Firms to Work For once again proved that culture drives results, with Comprehensive Environmental, Campos Engineering, Patel, Greene & Associates, and Bowers+Kubota Consulting among those topping their categories. The Marketing Excellence Awards lit up the room as firms like Gilbert Architects, Garmann Miller, and Wood Rogers showed how creative campaigns fuel growth and visibility. And when it came time to reveal the No. 1 Hot Firm, Verdantas took the crown, capping a year of explosive growth that’s redefining what’s possible for private-equity-backed firms in the environmental space.
By the time the lights dimmed at the Black Tie Gala, the message of ElevateAEC 2025 was undeniable – this is the AEC industry’s inflection point. Record-breaking performance, bold innovation, and a new generation of leaders who are redefining what’s possible in architecture, engineering, and construction. The firms that succeed from here won’t be the biggest or even the oldest. They will be the ones that move with clarity, agility, and purpose at the speed of business. For everyone in San Antonio, the charge was clear: buckle up because the future is arriving fast.
Chad Clinehens is president and CEO of Zweig Group. Contact him at cclinehens@zweiggroup.com.
