Nearly 6,000 Union Tradeswomen to Gather in Houston for Tradeswomen Build Nations

World's largest annual gathering of women in the skilled trades comes to Houston October 9–11 

HOUSTON, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 6,000 union tradeswomen from across the United States and Canada are expected to gather in Houston from Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11, for the 16th annual Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Presented by TradesFutures, with North America's Building Trades Unions serving as host sponsor, Tradeswomen Build Nations is the world's largest annual gathering of women working in the unionized skilled trades. 

Credentialed media are invited to cover the conference's plenary sessions and signature TWBN Banner Parade, when thousands of tradeswomen will march through downtown Houston carrying colorful banners representing building trades unions from across North America. Tradeswomen representing every major construction craft, including apprentices, journeyworkers, instructors, forewomen and union leaders, will be available for interviews. 

This year's theme, "Breaking Barriers, Expanding Horizons" reflects the progress women have made in the skilled trades and the ongoing work to expand access to Registered Apprenticeship, strengthen retention and mentorship, and prepare more women to lead throughout the construction industry. 

The conference comes as historic investments in energy production, advanced manufacturing, data centers, semiconductor facilities and critical infrastructure are driving unprecedented demand for highly skilled construction workers. Tradeswomen are playing an increasingly important role in building the projects that will power communities, strengthen North America's economy and shape the future of the construction industry. 

WHAT
16th Annual Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference 
The three-day conference will feature national labor and industry leaders, tradeswomen from every construction craft, educational workshops, leadership and mentorship programming, networking opportunities, and the TWBN Banner Parade. 

WHO 
Nearly 6,000 union tradeswomen from across North America, along with labor, industry, apprenticeship and workforce development leaders. 

Featured speakers include: 

• Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO 
• Sean McGarvey, President, North America's Building Trades Unions 
• Marsha Ivins, veteran NASA astronaut and aerospace engineer
• Marina Zhavoronkova, Executive Director, TradesFutures 
• Megan Armstrong, President of Industrial and Water Engineering, Kiewit 
• Brian J. Hale, CEO and President, Ullico Inc. 
• Maria Ford, President of U.S. Commercial and Industrial Sales, DeWalt 
• John L. Downey, General President, International Union of Operating Engineers 
• Maryland State Delegate Melissa Wells, Chair, House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee 
• Tradeswomen from across the United States and Canada 

WHEN 
Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11, 2026 

WHERE
George R. Brown Convention Center 
1001 Avenida de las Americas 
Houston, Texas 77010 

SIGNATURE MEDIA OPPORTUNITY 
TWBN Banner Parade 
Saturday, October 10 | 8:00–9:30 a.m.

Thousands of tradeswomen will march together through downtown Houston in a powerful celebration of union pride, solidarity and the growing presence of women in the skilled trades. 

The parade will feature colorful banners representing building trades unions, local unions and councils from across North America. Participants will assemble outside the George R. Brown Convention Center before proceeding through downtown Houston. 

ADDITIONAL VISUAL AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES 

• Nearly 6,000 tradeswomen assembled at the George R. Brown Convention Center 
• Tradeswomen representing a wide range of construction crafts and career levels
• Colorful union banners from across the United States and Canada 
• Opening, morning and closing plenary sessions 
• National labor, industry and workforce leaders 
• Educational, leadership and mentorship sessions 
• Interviews with apprentices, journeyworkers, instructors and industry leaders
• Houston-area and Texas labor leaders and tradeswomen available for interviews 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE 

Friday, October 9 
6:00 p.m. | Conference Kickoff 
Featuring TradesFutures and NABTU executives; Stanley Black and Decker U.S. Commercial President Maria Ford; Texas and Houston labor leaders Ryan Pollock, Paul Puente and Leonard Aguilar; and national tradeswomen leaders. 

Saturday, October 10 
8:00–9:30 a.m. | TWBN Banner Parade 
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Saturday Morning Plenary: Featuring national labor, industry and workforce leaders. 

Sunday, October 11 
9:00 a.m. | Closing Plenary: Featuring national labor, industry and tradeswomen leaders. 

MEDIA CREDENTIALS
The TWBN plenary sessions and Banner Parade are open to credentialed media. Advance registration is required.

Reporters, photographers and broadcast crews interested in attending should contact [email protected] to request credentials and coordinate interviews. 

Program and speakers are subject to change. 

SOURCE TradesFutures