Women Build It Conference: From Conference to Community
September 15, 2026|In Women Build It Conference|4 Minutes

From Conference to Community: The Growth of Women Build It

When Women Build It launched in 2023, the vision was simple: create a space where women in the construction, design, and trades industries could come together, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections.

What happened next exceeded all expectations.

The inaugural Women Build It Conference welcomed 250 women from across Central Indiana. It was clear from day one that there was a need—and a desire—for a community dedicated to supporting women in these industries. The energy in the room was undeniable. Conversations continued long after sessions ended, new relationships and friendships were formed, and attendees left asking the same question:

“When can we do this again?”

In 2024, Women Build It grew to 320 attendees, proving the momentum wasn’t a one-time occurrence. As the conference evolved, so did the programming. More speakers, more networking opportunities, and more opportunities for women to learn from one another were added to meet the growing demand.

By 2025, it became clear that the event had outgrown its original home at FORUM. To accommodate continued growth and provide a better experience for attendees, Women Build It moved to the Ritz Charles. The larger venue allowed the conference to welcome more than 400 women while introducing dedicated breakout rooms, creating opportunities for more focused conversations and professional development. The event ultimately became the largest and most successful Women Build It Conference to date, bringing together over 400 women from across the industry.

Today, as Women Build It prepares for its fourth annual conference on August 18, 2026, the momentum shows no signs of slowing down.

What began as a one-day conference has grown into a year-round community.

One of the biggest pieces of feedback we consistently heard from attendees was simple: one day wasn’t enough.

Women wanted more opportunities to connect. More chances to build relationships. More conversations around leadership, mentorship, career growth, workplace dynamics, and navigating an industry where women continue to make a growing impact.

That feedback led to the launch of the Women Build It Momentum Series.

These smaller events throughout the year create additional opportunities for women to connect outside of the annual conference. Whether through luncheons, panel discussions, networking events, or educational sessions, the goal remains the same: helping women find their people, build a stronger support system within the industry, grow as individuals and in their careers, along with the “how” to do this. The Momentum Series was created specifically to provide year-round opportunities for connection, mentorship, and professional growth.

While the community has expanded, the mission remains unchanged.

Women Build It continues to bring together women from every corner of the built environment—from construction and design to architecture, engineering, sales, marketing, operations, and the skilled trades. Whether someone is just entering the industry or leading an organization, the conference is designed to provide practical takeaways, meaningful relationships, and a sense of belonging.

Today, the annual conference includes keynote speakers, breakout sessions, panel discussions, networking opportunities, the Spirit of Cooperation activity, a reception, and the Women Build It -Woman of the Year Award. More importantly, it provides something many women are looking for: a room full of people who understand their experiences and want to see them succeed.

Four years ago, Women Build It started as an idea.

Today, it is a growing community of hundreds of women who continue to show up for one another, support one another, and help shape the future of the construction, design, and trades industries in Central Indiana.

And we’re just getting started.

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