Preliminary Agenda & Topic Areas
The agenda below represents the planned focus areas for the 2026 Build Freedom Summit. Session topics and speakers will continue to evolve as we finalize the program and review Call for Speakers submissions.
Build Freedom Summit speakers will explore practical strategies, innovative partnerships, and proven approaches to strengthening the Industrial Base workforce. Sessions will highlight real-world examples from industry, education, workforce development, government, and economic development that demonstrate how communities are building the talent ecosystems needed to support America’s national security.
The Industrial Base is expanding at a pace that requires new approaches to workforce development, education, manufacturing, and regional collaboration. The Build Freedom Summit brings together leaders from across these sectors to share ideas, build partnerships, and identify practical solutions that strengthen America’s industrial readiness.
Two full days of programming (October 20–21) will feature sessions across the four topic areas below, followed by a Career Expo on October 22.
Opening General Session
Leaders from government, industry, workforce, and education will frame the opportunities and challenges facing the Industrial Base workforce and discuss why talent has become a national security priority.
Building the Manufacturing Workforce
Potential topics include:
- Building the Industrial Base talent pipeline
- Apprenticeships and work-based learning
- Employer-led workforce partnerships
- Veterans and military transition pathways
- K–12, CTE, community colleges, and universities
- Instructor capacity and scaling training
- Recruiting and retaining manufacturing talent
- Preparing Gen Alpha for tomorrow’s workforce
National Security & Industrial Readiness
Potential topics include:
- Translating defense investments into regional job creation
- Supply chain resilience
- Critical manufacturing capabilities
- Security clearance and workforce challenges
- Reshoring America’s manufacturing capacity
- Building workforce capacity for critical defense supply chains
Manufacturing Innovation
Potential topics include:
- AI and digital transformation
- Smart manufacturing
- Emerging manufacturing technologies
- The technician of the future
- Scaling production through innovation
- Modern manufacturing practices
Building Regional Workforce Ecosystems
Potential topics include:
- Employer case studies
- Regional workforce partnerships
- Economic development strategies
- Public-private partnerships
- Employer-led curriculum
- Workforce as a site selection advantage
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Funding and sustainability
Learning from Leaders
Throughout the Summit, attendees will hear directly from manufacturers, defense leaders, educators, workforce organizations, economic developers, policymakers, and philanthropic organizations that are successfully building workforce solutions across the country.
Sessions may include keynote presentations, fireside conversations, interactive panel discussions, practical implementation workshops, employer case studies, and networking opportunities.
Featured Format Sections
- Keynote conversations
- Fireside chats with industry leaders
- Interactive panel discussions
- Employer case studies
- Regional success stories
- Practical implementation workshops
- Networking and collaboration sessions
- Innovation showcases
Day Three: Thursday, October 22 — Build Freedom Career Expo
Presented by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), the Career Expo connects job seekers directly with leading employers across the manufacturing and defense industry.
- Morning session: CTE and high school programs (registration required, closed to the public)
- Afternoon session: Open to the public (registration required)
Speakers, session times, and topics are preliminary and subject to change as the program is finalized.