Gulf States Region Conference in Knoxville this Summer

Posted: Wed, Mar 25, 2026

The CSI Gulf States Region Conference will be held in Knoxville at the Crowne Plaza Hotel July 8 - 11, 2026. The conference steering committee is crafting the programming around a Team Building theme, with major Key Note speakers from our local university's award winning teams. Conference registration will open around May 1. Save the Date communications have gone out to all Gulf States chapters.

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

Sponsorships are now available. Follow this link for information. INFO

Purchase a Sponsorship HERE.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Early Bird Registration Open Now!

HOTEL REGISTRATION

CSI Room Block now OPEN.

Knoxville is thrilled to announce that our own Children's Hospital has been renamed the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital. Learn more about this new partnership and consider making a donation to support their wonderful work!

The Steering Committee meets bi-weekly on Wednesday's after office hours either online or face to face at MHM's new offices. There are many opportunities for local chapter members and their spouses to join the Steering Committee Team and take on small tasks to help pull this effort together. Contact Aaron Miller, Chair, to join the team.

Watch this column for up to date news on exciting events that will be included in this conference.

Submittal Reviews, Substitutions, and Closeout Docs, OH MY!!

Posted: Wed, Mar 25, 2026

Speaker: Kathryn E. Fuller | AIA, NCARB, CSI CDT, CCCA, Associate | Architecture, MBI Companies, Inc.

Date: April 14, 2026 (lunch served at 11:45, program at 12)

Location: AGC Building, 3306 Ragsdale Ave.

Reservation Required. Register Here.

Enforcing the specifications during construction is critical, as this phase can ultimately make or break the owner’s vision and budget. Drawing from the standard design-bid-build delivery method, this course will examine the construction administration phase through the lens of specifications. Much of the construction administration process is defined in Division 01 – General Requirements, and the presentation will reference specific sections to highlight key responsibilities of the Contractor, Architect, and Owner.

Project closeout is often the most challenging stage of a project. Using both the specifications and real-world project management experience, this course will outline best practices for achieving complete and successful project closeout.

At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees will be invited to share their insights and experiences from the construction phase. Discussion will focus on ways to improve processes while meeting the increasing pace of project delivery – from contract award through closeout.

Program registered for 1 HR Continuing Education Credit.

About our speaker: With a total of 24 years’ experience since graduating from the School of Architecture at Washington State University, Kathryn has held positions at small and large architecture firms. Before moving to TN, she was sole specifier at a medium-sized A/E firm in Spokane. She has been at MBI Companies, Inc. for 7 years, where she is a newly minted Associate. The job titles Kathryn answers to include architect, project manager, and specifier.

A member of CSI since 2011, Kathryn has been Communications Director and President of the Spokane Chapter; and Secretary and President of the Knoxville Chapter. Currently, she is on Institute’s Knowledge and Education Committee, helping to review and edit study materials for CSI certifications. Kathryn is also on the Editorial Advisory Board for The Construction Specifier magazine.

March CSI Decompression Hour @ Pins & Pints

Posted: Wed, Mar 25, 2026

March CSI Decompression Hour

LOCATION: Pins & Pints Pinball Pub, 1336 E. Emory Rd.

DATE AND TIME: March 26, 2026, 5 PM - 7 PM

Think of yourself as a Pinball Wizard? Well show us your stuff!

Join your CSI buddies at Knoxville's premier pinball destination and neighborhood pub! This is a great spot to grab a drink and enjoy some retro gaming! And if you just can't get enough fun, then stay afterwards for some Free-to-Play team trivia that starts at 7 PM.