Tradeswomen Build Nations conference canceled

The Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference, scheduled for Oct 1-3 in New Orleans, has been canceled because of COVID-19 and a hurricane.

In August, North America’s Building Trade Unions (NABTU) implemented a vaccine mandate for all participants after the recent surge in cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Louisiana. Then on Aug. 29, Hurricane Ida made landfall in New Orleans.

“The health and safety of attendees and their families are of paramount importance,” NABTU President Dan McGarvey said. “But the spread of the Delta variant along with the hurricane’s devastation in Louisiana is such that the decision was made to cancel.”

Sponsored by NABTU, international unions, industry suppliers and contractors, the conference is for women of all ages and skill levels who work, or aspire to work, in the construction trades. It brings together women from multiple construction crafts to build leadership skills, learn strategies for overcoming challenges and unite around common issues.

NEXT YEAR, VEGAS
This is the second straight year the annual conference has been canceled. Last year’s conference was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garvey said NABTU plans to host online symposiums and webinars to engage tradeswomen until next year’s conference, which is set for Oct 28-30 in Las Vegas.

All registration fees will be refunded shortly. For other questions, go online to registration@nabtu.org.