Celebrate, Connect and Engage at ABC Convention 2026!

Members from across the nation return to ABC’s annual convention each year to celebrate, connect and advance their businesses with the latest industry, political and technological insights. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s the ultimate merit shop event of the year!

You are invited to be a part of this electric event at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City featuring the National Craft Championships, the Construction Management Competition, the National Excellence in Construction® Awards and the Construction Workforce Awards, plus dynamic, inspiring keynote speakers, industry insight sessions, a dynamic expo featuring the latest in construction technology and more.

Bring your loved ones and combine the thrilling convention experience with a relaxing getaway—set against the inspiring, scenic backdrop of Salt Lake City. There’s something for everyone at ABC Convention 2026.

Immerse yourself in the best of the merit shop construction industry and register for your full convention experience to be sure you don’t miss a moment!

Early-Bird Deadline: Jan. 5, 2026

Opening General Session With Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, Fighter Pilot, Folds of Honor Founder, PGA Pro and Bestselling Author

Open to full convention and social ticket holders only.

How To Overcome Obstacles To Reach Your Greatest Potential
Lt. Col. Dan Rooney is a highly decorated F-16 fighter pilot with three combat tours in Iraq and the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that has awarded nearly 62,000 educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Rooney will discuss leadership, fighter pilot lessons, Folds of Honor, unlocking talents through faith and embracing resistance with a resilient spirit.

Also happening during this session, celebrate the Construction Workforce Awards winners—the Craft Instructor, Craft Professional, Young Professional and Health and Safety Professional of the Year—and meet the 2026 chair of the ABC National Board of Directors.

Morning Keynote Breakfast With Jason Hewlett, Award-Winning Entertainer and Author

Open to full convention and social ticket holders only.

Jason Hewlett has delivered thousands of presentations over two decades using entertainment, musical impressions and comedy to teach leaders how to capture their unique leadership promise. He is one of the youngest inductees into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame and is the author of the acclaimed self-help book, "The Promise to the One." His blog, "The Promise," and online videos and courses inspire and educate corporate executives, artists, leaders and families.

Closing Industry Insight Session With Anirban Basu

ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu is chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010. Basu teaches the history of economic thought at Goucher College as Distinguished Economist in Residence, and his radio show can be heard weekdays on WYPR, 88.1 FM Baltimore.

The 36th Annual National Excellence in Construction® Awards Gala celebrates the best in merit shop construction, honoring the most outstanding construction projects and contractor of the year for their remarkable achievements in leadership, safety, innovation and merit.

Thursday, March 19

Program Sponsor

The Construction Management Competition provides competing university and college teams an opportunity to experience a real-world construction project with unique characteristics and challenges. Participating teams assemble a general contracting firm that represents their school and ABC student chapter in the competition.

Wednesday and Thursday, March 18-19

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ABC presents the National Craft Championships annually to highlight the achievements of the people who represent the future of the construction industry. Exceptional craft trainees and apprentices travel from across the country to demonstrate their superior skills, training and safe work practices and compete for top honors in their chosen craft. For training sponsors, employers and ABC chapters, the NCC demonstrates a staunch commitment to the career paths the construction industry offers.

Thursday, March 19

Official Tool Sponsor

View highlights from ABC Convention 2025

Thank You to Our Sponsors

For information about sponsorship opportunities during ABC Convention 2026, contact Charlie Asmar at [email protected] or (301) 653-8168.