National Association of Minority Contractors Announces the 2025 National Annual Conference: “Unity: One NAMC. Building Equity & Protecting Our Future”
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 15, 2025 – The National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) is proud to announce its 2025 Annual National Conference, scheduled for June 17-19 at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower. This year’s theme, “Unity: One NAMC – Building Equity & Protecting Our Future,” focuses on fostering growth, innovation, and equity in the construction industry.
Advocacy was at the heart of NAMC’s founding. Wendell Stemley, the national president, continues to carry that banner and has NAMC at the forefront of the fight to protect our rights—not only to participate in contracting, but also to develop and advocate for the next generation of construction trade workers, construction managers, engineers, and designers.
This three-day conference will bring together minority contractors, industry leaders, government officials, and construction professionals from across the nation to discuss emerging trends, share best practices, and explore new business opportunities. Attendees will benefit from:
- Engaging panel discussions led by industry experts on challenges and opportunities within the construction landscape.
- Networking events to foster valuable relationships among minority contractors, public officials, and corporate leaders.
- Workshops tailored to empower participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in an increasingly competitive market.
- Comprehensive workshops on federal contracting, project management, and business development
- Exhibition hall featuring the latest construction technology and services
In collaboration with the Central Ohio chapter, a pre-conference event involves a one-day trip from Cleveland to a chip manufacturing facility in the Greater Columbus area. The event will also include a Major Corporate Breakfast, an opening Welcome Reception on the evening of June 17, a Women in Construction Luncheon on June 18, and a Legacy Contractor Luncheon on June 19. The annual NAMC Awards Gala will officially close out the conference on Thursday evening.
“The goal of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) is to build strategic relationships with owners, developers, and major contractors throughout the nation,” said Hilton Smith, Executive Director of NAMC’s Northern Ohio Chapter. “NAMC assists members with building capacity by providing access to opportunity, advocacy, and contractor development training. We ultimately visualize building long-term partnerships.”
The president of NAMC Northern Ohio Chapter, Ariane Kirkpatrick, is thrilled that the Annual Conference will be in Cleveland this year. “Since 1969, NAMC has been advocating for minority contractors in a field where minorities haven’t always been welcome. We are overjoyed to host the national conference in Cleveland. A conference of this size will not only help boost the local economy, but it will uplift all of us in the construction industry. The conference also happens to fall during Juneteenth, which is exciting.”
Early bird registration is now open, with special rates available for NAMC members. For more information about the conference and registration details contact Doreen Littlejohn at (202) 296-1600 or dlittlejohn@namcnational.org.
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Founded in Oakland, California in 1969, NAMC is the oldest minority construction trade association in the United States. Members include more than 50 Hall of Fame members and Legacy Contractor Builders and a combined annual project capacity of over a billion dollars nationally. Through a network of local chapters and in collaboration with strategic and corporate partnerships, NAMC assists members with building capacity by providing access to opportunity, advocacy, and contractor development training. The association is also proud to represent the interests of millions of skilled minority workers across the country.