At BuildIT’s 2026 Founders Day VIP Reception we welcomed more than 300 public agency leaders, C-suite executives, and key decision-makers representing some of the largest public infrastructure projects in the United States. Set within the breathtaking Grand Hall of the Salesforce Transit Center—often referred to as the “Grand Central Station of the West”—this celebration reflected both the scale of our ambition and the significance of our journey. A HISTORIC FOUNDATION This venue is not simply architecturally grand; it holds deep historical significance for BuildIT. In September 2014, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority—the agency responsible for the development and management of the Transit Center—became the first public agency in the United States to conduct a dedicated outreach initiative to LGBT and Allied businesses within the construction industry. That bold and unprecedented step toward inclusion marked a defining moment in public contracting and in BuildIT’s story. Returning to this space is both symbolic and strategic. It honors progress while reinforcing our commitment to expanding opportunity across the infrastructure ecosystem. Honoring the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) On Thursday, June 4, 2026, BuildIT proudly recognized and celebrated the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP), a transformative national initiative aimed at reshaping public contracting by increasing the number, size, and proportion of contracting opportunities awarded to Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs), including firms owned by minorities, women, and veterans. EIP’s visionary founders represent some of the most influential voices in American infrastructure: •Phillip A. Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport •John D. Porcari, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation •Dorval Carter, former President of the Chicago Transit Authority •Rick Jacobs, advisor to numerous major U.S. city mayors Together, these leaders have championed a national movement to ensure public infrastructure investment reflects the full diversity, innovation, and strength of the American business community. A CELEBRATION OF IMPACT AND INFLUENCE BuildIT’s 2026 Founders Day VIP Reception convened public agencies, prime contractors, developers, policy leaders, and emerging businesses in one of the nation’s most iconic transit hubs—underscoring the powerful intersection of infrastructure, equity, and economic growth. This was not just a reception. It was a declaration. A declaration that inclusive procurement is not aspirational – it is operational.
 That equity in infrastructure is not symbolic—it is measurable and that the future of public contracting will be built through intentional partnership, leadership, and accountability. On June 4, 2026, in the Grand Hall of TJPA’s Salesforce Transit Center, we did not simply gather.
 We marked progress—and accelerated it.