When health issues began limiting my ability to travel to offsite construction events and conferences, I assumed I’d lose something irreplaceable — the energy of face-to-face conversations, the serendipity of hallway introductions, the laughter over bad hotel coffee. But something unexpected happened: I discovered an entirely new way to connect with people in our industry, and it’s turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
Turning Limitations Into Opportunities
Rather than stepping back from the community I’ve spent decades writing about, I decided to step closer — just differently. I began reaching out to people across the offsite construction world — from North America to Europe, Africa to Australia — and simply asked if they’d like to talk. No agenda, no interview prep, no cameras rolling. Just two people having a genuine conversation about what’s really happening in their companies, their projects, or their lives.
Some of these chats focus on success stories — breakthroughs in automation, bold new partnerships, or that one big job that finally came through. Others center on frustration: stalled projects, supply chain nightmares, or the endless challenge of finding skilled workers. Or simply a laugh fest about our industry. But every single discussion has something in common — honesty.
The Stories Behind the Stories
Most of these conversations were supposed to last 30 minutes. That was the plan, at least. But more than once, the clock ticked past two hours, and neither of us wanted to hang up. These weren’t interviews; they were explorations — real discussions about the human side of offsite construction.
I’ve written about innovation, leadership, technology, and resilience for years, but these one-on-one conversations added something new. They reminded me that our industry isn’t just about panels, production lines, or new design software. It’s about people — the passionate, stubborn, creative, and occasionally exhausted men and women who get up every morning determined to build something better.
Inspiration Without a Stage
What surprised me most was how quickly these private exchanges became the heartbeat of my recent blog articles. I don’t reveal names or companies — confidentiality builds trust — but the insights, frustrations, and triumphs I hear each week are what keep my writing alive and relevant.
In a way, these talks have become my new version of a conference. There may be no badges or networking receptions, but there’s still discovery, learning, and camaraderie — all from the comfort of my office chair.
An Open Invitation
If you’ve ever wanted to talk — about your company, your challenges, your hopes for the future of modular and offsite construction — I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’ve had a year of wild growth or one filled with hard lessons, your story matters.
You don’t have to prepare slides or polish a speech. Just bring your experiences, your thoughts, and maybe a cup of coffee. Let’s talk for half an hour… or two.
Reach out to me at [email protected] to get on the calendar.
Because even if I can’t make it to every event anymore, I can still be part of the conversation — and I promise, it’s a conversation worth having.
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With over 9,000 published articles on modular and offsite construction, Gary Fleisher remains one of the most trusted voices in the industry.
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