Last week felt like we were going 100 mph getting everything ready for our national conference — and it was worth every bit of the effort. From September 18–21, NHCA at Avance came alive with packed rooms full of friends, partners, chapter leaders, our National Board of Directors, potential sponsors, industry stakeholders, and new faces eager to discover what’s happening at NHCA.
Let me tell you — there’s a lot happening.
A Powerful Kickoff
We opened on September 17th with a Welcome Reception that set the tone for the entire week. Thanks to the support of Shell Roofing and LBEM, we created a space where our industry could connect and get a preview of what was ahead.
And of course, we needed someone special to guide us. Jerry Ascencio delivered a message that moved the entire room. Jerry speaks from the heart, and as a member of our National Board of Directors, he embodies the mission of NHCA. Thank you, Jerry, for reminding us all why we do this work.
Additionally, our National Sponsors — ProWood and Lowe’s — joined us throughout the conference, sitting in on sessions, experiencing the energy of every packed room, and seeing firsthand the strength of our members and the direction NHCA is headed in the coming years.
Build the Builder and Complementary Sessions
The next day we hit the ground running with Build the Builder sessions. Just like the reception, our rooms were overflowing. We needed more chairs, honestly, we needed a bigger room!
The turnout showed us something important: our industry is hungry for knowledge, training, and a clear path to move from contractor to developer. That’s why this year we tripled our sessions from 4 to 12.
If you joined us, you saw firsthand how interactive the sessions were. We made sure to give you time with speakers and moderators — because this isn’t just about listening, it’s about engaging. Each session is meant as an introduction, a spark to show you that these “big” topics — site selection, underwriting, cost assessment, project management — are not out of reach. Sí se puede aprender, paso a paso, con organización y dedicación.
By the end of our sessions, many of you walked away with a clearer roadmap:
- How to select the right site.
- How to assess pre-development costs.
- How to underwrite and manage a project.
- And ultimately, where to pitch your projects with our upcoming Development Coalition.
A special thank you goes to Mark Madrid, who curated two powerful sessions: Impact Sourcing and Government Contracting. As NMSDC CEO Ying McGuire says, “Impact sourcing isn’t charity — it’s smart, strategic business.” Mark brought together the best of the best, showing how small and minority-owned construction businesses can successfully subcontract and grow in large-scale projects. We’re grateful for his leadership — and as a member of our Board, you can expect more knowledge-sharing from him soon.
The Power of Our Chapters
To our Chapter Board Members and leaders who attended — thank you. Your presence matters. You inspire others when you step up as speakers, moderators, and leaders. And you remind everyone that THA ALLIANCE IS NATIONAL.
We’re not just a contractors’ alliance. We are here for everyone in construction — laborers, tradespeople, supervisors, project managers, subcontractors, contractors, developers, attorneys, finance experts, and beyond. If you touch construction in any way, this is your space to learn, grow, and share.
Moving Forward Together
Together, we are smarter. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are better.
Thank you to everyone who attended, asked questions, engaged in sessions, and helped amplify our voice. Your participation helps us build a stronger Alliance and bring the latest knowledge, resources, and opportunities back to you.
We’ll see you at the next one — and trust us, it will be even bigger and better. Together, let’s keep building the future of our industry.
– Sergio Barajas
Executive Director
National Hispanic Construction Alliance