FAQs

General Information

The Build Freedom Summit is designed for anyone interested in contributing to shaping the future of manufacturing in our country through a skilled workforce.  This includes manufacturing, defense industrial base supply chain partners, higher-education partners, workforce trainers, including apprenticeship, economic development leaders, and local and state elected officials and leaders.

This inaugural summit is led by IACMI – the Composites Institute and TEES (Texas A&M Engineering Workforce Development, two organizations with deep experience in training a workforce in the manufacturing sector. With backing from the Department of Defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program (IBAS), the Summit is bringing together experts and doers from across the manufacturing, defense, workforce, and training spectrum to uncover the best ways to address the manufacturing skills gap.

Yes, we will be providing breakfast and lunch each day, as well as coffee and other refreshments during breaks.

The dress code at the Summit is business casual. 

If you have any special needs, disabilities, or dietary restrictions that we can address to make your participation at the Summit more enjoyable, please let us know when you register.

Sponsorship

Yes, we offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities, from full packages that include premier visibility to hosting networking events.  Please visit our Sponsorship page for more information.

Career Expo

Yes! If you or someone you know is interested in the Career Expo on October 22, you can register.  Please visit our Career Expo page for more information.

Call for Speakers: Share Your Expertise at the 2026 Build Freedom Summit

We’re inviting visionary leaders to help shape one of the nation’s most important conversations on manufacturing, workforce development, and national security.

If your work is advancing innovation, strengthening the Defense Industrial Base, or building the workforce of tomorrow, we’d love to hear from you.

Submit your speaker application for consideration.