2025 Fall Meeting
October 29-31, 2025
Gaylord Texan Resort
Grapevine, TX
The Fall Meeting is a members-only business event that includes a keynote and business speakers, the third board meeting, all committee meetings, and several networking opportunities and social events. It is the last of DCA’s three main meetings of the year and sets the stage for the coming year.
Registration is now open!
| DCA 2025 Fall Meeting Agenda* | ||
| Wednesday, October 29 | ||
| 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Welcome Reception & Dinner | TBD |
| Thursday, October 30 | ||
| 7:00 am – 8:00 am | Group Breakfast | Zeppole |
| 8:00 am – 9:30 am | Town Hall & Business Session Keynote: Gene Marks “Beyond 2025: Strategic Moves for Growth in Utility Construction and Distribution” | Yellow Rose Ballroom |
| 9:45 am – 10:45 am | Future Leaders Committee | Yellow Rose |
| 10:45 am – 11:45 am | Trenchless & HDD Committee | Yellow Rose |
| 11:45 am – 12:45 pm | Group Lunch | Zeppole |
| 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm | Membership & Engagement Committee | Yellow Rose |
| 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm | Safety/Risk Management Committee | Yellow Rose |
| 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Workforce Development Committee | Yellow Rose |
| 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm | Innovation & Technology Committee | Yellow Rose |
| 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm | Government Relations Committee | Yellow Rose |
| 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm | Cocktail Reception | Yellow Rose Pavilion |
| Friday, October 31 | ||
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Associate Nominating Committee** | Pecos 1 |
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Contractor Nominating Committee** | Pecos 2 |
| 9:45 am – 10:45 am | Board of Director Meeting** | Pecos 2 |
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Executive Committee Meeting** | Pecos 2 |
| **indicates closed meeting | *As of 09/03/2025 | |
Thursday, October 30
Business Session Speaker – Gene Marks
Best-selling Author and Columnist for Forbes
“Beyond 2025: Strategic Moves for Growth in Utility Construction and Distribution”
ABOUT GENE:
Gene Marks is a best-selling author, business keynote speaker and columnist. Gene presents at over 70 live events per year — from Fortune 500 sales meetings and corporate groups, to large trade association conferences. His keynote presentations are funny, energetic, and packed with valuable content.
Gene helps business leaders understand the political, economic, operational and technological issues and trends that will impact their companies. But most importantly, Gene provides actions they need to take to continue to grow and build a valuable company.
As an author, business owner, business keynote speaker and columnist for The Hill, The Guardian, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Chicago Daily Herald, Gene has spent two decades both running a successful business and interacting with influential leaders across industries.
Registration Fee: $900 per member; $300 spouse/guest. After October 1, the registration fee increases to $950 per member; $350 per guest.
Housing: Gaylord Texan Resort:
Meet us at the Gaylord Texan, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX. Brimming with authentic Texas style and hospitality, the 4-star Gaylord Texan Resort features upscale accommodations, multiple dining options, and resort style entertainment on the shores of Lake Grapevine.
Single or Double Rate: $269.00 plus applicable sales tax and resort fee. Reservation cut-off date is October 1.
The official room block is Wednesday, October 29 – Friday, October 31, 2025. Click here to make an online reservation. To make reservations outside of the housing block, please call (800) 228-9290 and use the code 2025 DCA Fall Meeting.
Airport Information: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is 6 miles from the hotel. Recommend taxi or shared ride rather than rental car given closeness.
Committee Meetings: Meetings are open to all attendees on Thursday. If you are not on a working committee, we encourage you to attend those that interest you. If you would like to be a permanent member of a committee, please let one of the DCA staff members know.
Wednesday Evening Networking Reception & Dinner: Please plan to join us for dinner at the Gaylord Texan from 6:00 – 8:00 or upon your arrival.
Thursday Evening Cocktail Reception: Join us for cocktails before exploring the resort’s dining options. Please contact the hotel if you are interested in booking a group at one of the other restaurants on property, especially the extraordinary Old Hickory Steakhouse.
Dress: Dress for the DCA Fall Meeting is business casual. No jackets or ties required.
DCA Events App: The DCA Events App is your personal link to the DCA Fall Meeting. The app will keep you in sync with everything happening at the Fall Meeting including schedule of events, speaker information, registration list, meeting floor plans, meeting materials and event updates and alerts. The data syncing feature also enables you to share event information across mobile devices. Don’t miss out – if it is not already on your mobile device download now by going to EventsApp. The app developers have made updates to the app and suggest that you delete and app and reload it to incorporate the changes.