The lights have dimmed, the exhibition booths have been packed away, and AVANCE 2026 is officially in the books. But while the landmark industry conference may have drawn to a close, leadership at the National Hispanic Construction Alliance emphasizes that the real work is only just beginning.
For the National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA), AVANCE 2026 marked yet another critical milestone in an ongoing mission to expand the Hispanic voice, presence, and economic prosperity within the broader construction industry. Throughout the multi-day event, industry partners and stakeholders showed up with notable energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine interest in understanding the rapidly growing opportunities available within the Hispanic construction community.
Major industry players and corporate sponsors engaged extensively with NHCA members during the event’s prominent lineup of activities, which included a Welcome Reception, a Corporate Breakfast, a dedicated Construction Track, and a bustling Expo. The strong turnout and active participation from major corporate entities demonstrated a reality that the alliance has championed for years: Hispanic professionals are not merely participating in the construction sector—they are actively helping to shape its future.
A standout highlight of this year’s conference was the official launch of the brand-new Construction Village. The excitement on the floor was palpable as general contractors, residential builders, commercial developers, equipment manufacturers, building material suppliers, commercial lenders, and other key industry leaders gathered together in one dynamic, dedicated space. The Village serves as a physical and strategic representation of what the NHCA believes is possible when the entire construction ecosystem works collaboratively to generate new economic opportunities, address persistent housing supply needs, and strengthen the individual businesses and local communities that help build America.
In addition to exploring the new Construction Village, conference partners experienced firsthand the growing momentum behind several of the NHCA’s most impactful core initiatives. Among these is the signature "Build the Builder" program, which continues to forge reliable pathways for Hispanic builders, residential developers, real estate flippers, and independent entrepreneurs to transition successfully from baseline industry opportunity to long-term business ownership. By empowering these professionals, the program helps them expand their overarching role in regional and national housing production.
At the same time, the alliance’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) platform is rapidly gaining momentum across the country. This critical platform connects construction professionals with essential resources, targeted educational tools, streamlined contractor verification processes, municipal permitting guidance, and vital recovery opportunities when local communities are struck by natural disasters and catastrophic events.
Looking ahead to the immediate future, the organization is already preparing for the release of its next major publication: the 2027 State of Hispanics in Construction Report. This upcoming comprehensive report will provide industry stakeholders with critical data regarding workforce participation rates, independent business ownership trends, broader economic impact metrics, and the increasingly influential role that Hispanic professionals play across every tier of the construction industry.
Perhaps most exciting for the organization’s long-term sustainability is the continued, rapid growth of its nationwide chapter network. The NHCA now proudly represents more than 3,500 individual members spread across 13 distinct markets, with significant additional expansion on the horizon. Leadership is currently laying the groundwork for forthcoming chapter launches in San Antonio, Texas, and across the state of Kentucky, while simultaneously reinforcing operational strength in existing markets nationwide. Every new chapter established by the alliance creates another localized platform dedicated to professional education, strategic networking, workforce development, supplier engagement, and accelerated business growth.
For corporate partners and allied organizations, AVANCE offered far more than a standard opportunity to exhibit products or services. It served as an immersive chance to experience the true scale, vibrant energy, and immense potential of the Hispanic construction community—and to witness firsthand why the NHCA is rapidly becoming an indispensable bridge connecting major industry corporations with untapped market opportunities.
Reflecting on the success of the gathering, alliance leadership offered profound appreciation to every partner, corporate sponsor, exhibitor, keynote speaker, volunteer, and attendee who helped make AVANCE a resounding success. The active participation, financial investment, and shared belief in the mission remain vital to the organization’s ongoing trajectory.
For companies, national organizations, industry leaders, and community stakeholders who have been closely observing the NHCA’s remarkable growth and wondering how they can become a part of it, the alliance extends an open invitation to reach out. Whether prospective allies are interested in establishing a formal corporate partnership, supporting a local regional chapter, engaging directly with specific alliance programs, or helping facilitate expansion into new geographic markets, leadership has made it clear that they are eager to collaborate.
As the chapter networks and partner ecosystems continue to expand at a rapid pace, leadership emphasizes that there is plenty of room at the table for organizations that share a steadfast commitment to expanding economic opportunity throughout the entire construction sector.
The conference is officially over. The initial conversations have started, critical professional relationships have been significantly strengthened, and a wide array of new opportunities now lie directly ahead. Now, the real work begins.
Sergio Barajas serves as the executive director of the National Hispanic Construction Alliance, where he leads the organization’s dedicated efforts to expand institutional capacity building, improve access to crucial capital, and foster sustainable business opportunities for Hispanic contractors and construction professionals alike. Over a distinguished professional career spanning three decades in housing development, construction management, and real estate financing, Barajas has held influential leadership roles with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Freddie Mac, the National Community Stabilization Trust, and the Los Angeles Housing Department. Based in San Diego, California, Barajas writes extensively about workforce development, advocacy, and the vital role of the Hispanic construction workforce in building a stronger, more equitable industry for the future.
