Three Opportunities for Project Owners to Attend DBIA Events This Spring
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
As collaborative delivery continues to grow across the country, the need for informed and engaged owners has never been greater.
This spring, the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and the DBIA Southwest Region are offering several opportunities to help project owners attend upcoming industry conferences and connect with peers who are delivering some of the nation’s most important infrastructure projects.
These programs are designed to make it easier for owners to participate, learn, and bring new insights back to their organizations.
Below are three opportunities available to project owners across the Southwest Region:
DBIA National Owner Scholarships
DBIA National offers Owner Scholarships to help public-sector owners attend DBIA-hosted conferences. These scholarships cover the cost of conference registration, giving owners the opportunity to participate in high-value learning and networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders.
In 2026, two DBIA specialty conferences will take place in Grapevine, Texas:
Scholarship recipients must attend the Owners Only Forum during the conference and complete a short post-event survey. Please note that National scholarships cover registration only and do not include travel or hotel accommodations.
The deadline to apply is April 4, 2026.
Learn more and apply here:
DBIA-SW Owner Hotel Scholarships
To help further reduce the barrier to participation, the DBIA Southwest Region is offering a limited number of Owner Hotel Scholarships for owners attending the specialty conferences in Grapevine.
These scholarships are intended to support public-sector participation and professional development among agencies involved in infrastructure delivery.
Scholarship Details
$500 toward hotel costs
5 scholarships funded by DBIA-SW
Additional scholarships may be supported by DBIA-SW member company sponsors
Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants
Reimbursement provided after the conference to the applicant’s agency
Owners are encouraged to apply for both the National Owner Scholarship (registration) and the Regional Hotel Scholarship (lodging) to help offset the cost of attending.
Applications will close April 3, 2026, at 5 PM Central or when available scholarships are awarded.
Apply here:
DBIA-SW Regional Conference + Golf Tournament
Following the specialty conferences, project owners are also invited to attend the DBIA Southwest Regional Conference + Golf Tournament!
Our Regional Conference is the premier forum for Owners in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico. This year’s theme is "Innovation in Action," and the program is built around the real-world challenges you face every day.
What’s in it for you?
The DFW International Airport Showcase (Field Innovation): You will see how DFW uses Progressive Design-Build to manage the largest modular terminal expansion in history. Seeing 3,000-ton modules being moved across active taxiways provides tangible proof that "unrealistic" schedules are actually achievable with the right delivery model.
The Owners Forum (Closed-Door Strategy): A "no-sales-pitch" zone focused on ROI, speed-to-market, and the competitive advantages of collaborative delivery. Discuss peer-to-peer challenges and results without a room full of contractors.
The Regional Golf Tournament (Strategic Relationship Building): Project success depends on chemistry. The fairway is the ultimate low-stakes environment to vet the leadership, culture, and personalities of the region’s top firms before you trust them with your budget.
Regional Intelligence & Risk Mastery: National conferences cover national trends, but this event focuses on the specific laws of TX, OK, LA, AR, and NM. You’ll learn about the latest Progressive Design-Build (PDB) authorities and municipal codes that directly impact how you can legally structure your next procurement.
SPECIAL OWNER PRICING
We have set aside "Early Access" rates for the first 20 Owners who register. These rates offer significant savings to ensure your agency is represented:
Example of Early Access Owner Rates (First 20 to register):
Conference Only: $250
Tour + Conference: $350
Golf + Conference: $650
After early access limits have been met, owners still get the benefit of attending at a special “VIP” rate:
Conference Only: $400
Tour + Conference: $500
Golf + Conference: $800.
Registration closes on April 17, 2026, or when we sell out.
Register for the Conference here:
Why Owner Participation Matters
Design-build now accounts for nearly half of all construction spending in the United States, and owners play a central role in determining how successfully collaborative delivery methods are implemented.
By participating in DBIA events, owners have the opportunity to:
Learn directly from agencies successfully using design-build
Gain insights into managing risk, cost, and schedule
Explore emerging delivery models and technologies
Build relationships with peers and industry experts
Bring practical strategies back to their teams and communities
