Wow! Can you believe it’s 2026 already? Time flies, and as we look back on 2025, we see it marked a pivotal change for C3. As we embrace 2026, our focus shifted towards positivity and growth, and I want to shine a light on one of the most significant transformations for C3 this year.
A Commitment to Young Women in Construction
Since 2019, C3 has proudly presented #SHEbuildsHouston, creating valuable opportunities for young women in grades 7-12 to explore the world of commercial construction. At the heart of our mission is the understanding that the future of construction cannot be realized without investing in often-overlooked talent—women. We kicked off this initiative with Aldine ISD and have since expanded our outreach to several school districts in the Greater Houston area, including Houston ISD, with whom we partnered in April 2025.
Exciting Changes Ahead: Building Futures Construction Expo
As we move into 2026, we are thrilled to announce that #SHEbuildsHouston will be evolving into the Building Futures Construction Expo! This year, we’re expanding the event from one day to two, allowing us to provide even more enriching experiences for participants.
Naturally, this change has led to questions like, “What happened to #SHEbuildsHouston?” and “Why did you change the name?”
Understanding the Reasons Behind the Change
When we initiated strategic planning for this year, we carefully considered various factors, particularly changes in the 2025 political landscape regarding DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and gender-based business planning. We also envisioned hosting the event in larger venues beyond school district facilities, overcoming previous challenges—yes, we’re talking about those pesky background checks that slowed us down but ensured safety.
Here’s what we prioritized during our decision-making:
- Our unwavering commitment to creating awareness and providing experiences in commercial construction to young women.
- Addressing the societal perceptions of construction trades in comparison to traditional pathways like college, entrepreneurship, and the arts—areas often seen as more appealing.
- Engaging with communities that may harbor negative views of construction, including parents, educators, and those stuck in unsatisfying jobs.
- Avoiding any discouragement for organizations that might feel uncomfortable with gender-specific naming.
- Expanding into larger venues with fewer restrictions, which will allow us to cater to more activities and participants, regardless of the weather.
Embracing the Future with #WEbuildHouston
We listened to your feedback and are excited to announce that we’ll still celebrate young women on Day 1 (#SHEbuildsHouston), while opening the event to the broader community on Day 2 (#WEbuildHouston). C3 serves the entire commercial construction industry in Houston, and we believe in showcasing the endless opportunities available to everyone.
When contractors attract and retain skilled labor, projects thrive, and employees benefit from high-quality training, livable wages, and workplace protection. In the end, it’s all about making Houston a better place to live and work!
Join Us for an Unforgettable Experience
So, what happened to #SHEbuildsHouston? It grew and evolved while remaining committed to its original mission of promoting construction careers to young women. The Building Futures Construction Expo blends our goal of awareness with an expanded community focus, allowing us to redefine perceptions of construction and to continue our mission of strengthening the safe, skilled, and sustainable craft workforce pipeline.
Mark your calendars for March 19 and 20, 2026, as we host this exciting event at the Bill Neal Center in Channelview, TX. This year, we will have participation from multiple school districts, with up to 3,000 attendees over two days!
I invite you to support this transformative event by sponsoring, exhibiting, or volunteering. Let’s make this the best event yet! For more information and registration details, please visit our website www.c3.org or contact Claudia Vega ([email protected]). Together, we can build brighter futures in commercial construction. Come Build With Us!
