Opening Session & Featured Speaker Presentation: AI and Automation for the Trades: How to Work Smarter Without Losing the Human Touch

Presentation

Monday, April 13, 2026

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Location: Battelle Grand Ballroom (Level 3)

Tersh Blissett, III

Founder & Podcast Co-Host
Service Business Mastery/Trade Automation Pros
Metter, Georgia
Dr. Janell Hills-Thomas

Managing Partner
Monochrome Consulting
Fresno, Texas
Nate Natale

Chief Operating Officer
Building Performance Association
Pittsburgh
Steve Skodak

Chief Executive Officer
Building Performance Association, Missouri

Kick off this year's conference at the General Session, where attendees from across the industry come together to start the conference and set the stage for the days ahead. Join us for welcoming remarks from BPA, followed by a featured presentation from Tersh Blissett, who will share his 'Optimize, Automate, Delegate' framework, a practical approach to help contractors and home performance professionals use AI and automation to streamline operations without sacrificing the human connections that matter most. From weatherization agencies to non-profits, this talk breaks down how to embrace technology while keeping people at the center of your work.