Schedule

Annual Conference Schedule

The 2026 Ports-to-Plains Annual Conference schedule is designed to deliver a strategic blend of federal policy updates, state implementation strategies, and high-value networking opportunities. This year’s agenda will feature insights from Congressional Delegation representatives, State DOT leaders, and industry experts focused on advancing the Future Interstate system and I-27 implementation. Attendees can expect timely discussions on funding, project delivery, and North American trade connectivity, with sessions structured to provide actionable takeaways and meaningful collaboration throughout the conference.

Remember to Register

The 2026 Ports-to-Plains Annual Conference schedule is still being finalized, with times subject to minor changes. Don’t wait—register now to secure your spot and stay informed on Future Interstate policy, I-27 implementation, and key networking opportunities.

Register Closed

General Schedule

Plan your experience with the 2026 Ports-to-Plains Annual Conference general schedule, featuring key sessions on Future Interstate funding, I-27 implementation, and North American trade connectivity, along with networking events and binational discussions in Del Rio and Acuña.

5:30-7:00 PM

Registration

Ramada by Wyndham, 2101 Veterans Blvd., Del Rio, TX

Sponsored by Del Rio Chamber of Commerce & Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

7:00 PM

Transportation to Gin House Jazz Club


Leaving from Ramada by Wyndham
By Transportation Van or Private Vehicles
Transportation

Sponsored by: Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority & City of Williston, ND

7:30 PM

Kickoff Mixer

Gin House Jazz Club
Live Jazz • Hors d’oeuvres • Mariachi Del Rio • Transportation Provided

Speakers:

  • Alvaro “Al” Arreola, Mayor, City of Del Rio (invited)
  • Lewis Owens, County Judge, Val Verde County
  • Emilio Alejandro de Hoyos Montemayor, Mayor, Cuidad Acuña, (invited)
  • Lauren Garduño, President/CEO, Ports-to-Plains Alliance

Sponsored by : Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association & Hance Scarborough, LLP

9:30 PM

Transportation to Ramada by Wyndham

Return Transportation available from 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Sponsored by: Hunter Industries, LTD & Kimley-Horn

7:00-8:00 AM

Breakfast

Ramada by Wyndham, 2101 Veterans Blvd., Del Rio, TX

Sponsored by: Cameron County International Bridge Association & STV, Inc.

9:00 AM

Departure to Acuña, Mexico

Passport, Pass Card, Global Entry or SENTRI Card Required

Transportation from Ramada by Wyndham Lobby

Sponsored by: International Bank of Commerce & Lubbock Economic Development Alliance

10:30 AM

Attendee Registration Opens

Grand Real Hall (Salón Grand Real), Hotel Villa Real at Calle Nicolás Bravo 645, Zona Centro, 26200 Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico

11:05 – 11:25 AM

Welcome and Remarks

Speaker:

  • Emilio Alejandro De Hoyos Montemayor, Mayor, Ciudad Acuña

11:25 – 11:45 AM

Welcome and Remarks

Speaker:

  • Lauren Garduño, President/CEO, Ports-to-Plains Alliance

11:45 AM – 12:05 PM

Update from Del Rio Port

Speaker:

  • Liliana Flores, Port Director, Port of Del Rio

12:05 – 12:25 PM

Remarks from Governor of Coahuila

Speaker:

  • Ing. Manolo Jiménez Salinas, Governor of the State of Coahuila of Zaragoza

12:25 – 1:00 PM

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Governor of the State and Mayors of Coahuila

1:00 – 1:30 PM

Media Availability and Official Photograph

1:30 – 1:50 PM

Remarks by the National President of CANACINTRA

Speaker:

  • Dra. María de Lourdes Medina Ortega, National President, National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA)

1:50 – 2:10 PM

Remarks by State of Coahuila Attorney General

Speaker:

  • Mtro. Federico Fernández Montañez, State of Coahuila Attorney General

2:10-2:30 PM

Remarks by State of Coahuila Secretary of the Economy

Speaker:

  • Lic. Luis Eduardo Olivares Martínez, Secretary of Economy of the State

2:30 -2:50 PM

Nearshoring Vs Reshoring. Mexico’s New Challenge

Speaker:

  • Samuel Peña Guzmán, Professor, Tecnológico de Monterrey; International Business and Foreign Investment Specialist

2:50 – 4:20 PM

Lunch

4:20 – 4:40 PM

Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing

Speaker:

  • Kenneth Smith, General Manager, Howmet Aerospace – Acuña Operations

4:40 – 5:00 PM

Industrial Development

Speaker:

  • Jorge Ortiz, Sales Executive, Grupo Amistad

5:00 – 5:20 PM

Livestock Industry Presentation

Speaker:

  • Eng. Sergio Siller, Technical Advisor, Coahuila Regional Livestock Union

5:20 – 5:40 PM

The Right Way: “Commerce, Services, and Tourism”

Speaker:

  • José Santos Gómez, President, CANACO SERVYTUR Ciudad Acuña; National Council Member, CONCANACO SERVYTUR México

5:40 – 6:00 PM

The Right Way: “The Industrial and Business Sector”

Speaker:

  • Keila Dariela García Altamirano, President, CANACINTRA Ciudad Acuña

6:00 – 6:20 PM

The Right Way: “Investment Attraction and Regional Competitive Advantages”

Speaker:

  • Luis Ángel Urraza Dugay, Director of Municipal Economic Development Ciudad Acuña

6:45 PM

Transportation to Dinner

From Grand Real Hall (Salón Grand Real)

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Dinner

Old Military Fort Museum
Museo del Antiguo Cuartel Militar
Pino Suárez 1. Col. 28 de Junio CP 26350. Ciudad Acuña, Acuña

9:00 PM

Departure to Del Rio, Texas


Transportation will be available from 7-9 PM to Ramada by Wyndham

7:00-8:00 AM

Breakfast

Ramada by Wyndham2101 Veterans Blvd., Del Rio, TX

Sponsored by: Jones Bros. & Pape-Dawson

8:00 AM

Transportation to Civic Center

1915 Veterans Blvd, Del Rio, TX 78840
Enter through Back Parking Lot Entrance

Sponsored by: Reece Albert, Inc. & The Bank and Trust

8:30-9:15 AM

From Designation to Delivery: A Federal Funding Pathway for Future Interstates

Speakers:

  • Jennifer Shepard, Managing Director & Senior Policy Advisor, Hance Scarborough LLP

9:15-9:45 AM

From Trade Route to Strategic Asset: I-27, Border Security, and Emergency Response

Del Rio Civic Center – Pecan Ballroom

Moderator:

  • Fabian E. Mendoza Jr., COL, F.SAME, USA, (RET), Army Program Manager, SVP

Panel:

  • George Cavazos, Division Chief – Law Enforcement Operations, Del Rio Sector
  • Francisco Gardea, Executive Officer – Law Enforcement Operations, Del Rio Sector
  • Alfonso Riera, PhD, Regional Market Lead – Army, Michael Baker International

9:45-10:15 AM

Break | Snacks / Water / Coffee / Aguas Frescas

Sponsored by: Val Verde County

10:15 -11:00 AM

Impact of the Del Rio Port: A Strategic Border Gateway for Trade, Jobs, and Regional Growth

Speakers:

  • Liliana Flores, Port Director, Port of Del Rio

11:00 -11:45 AM

ASREC Ports: Advancing Secure, Redundant, and Economic Corridors from Designation to Delivery

Speakers:

  • Lauren Garduño, President/CEO, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
  • Shane Getson, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary of Economic Corridors, Legislative Assembly of Alberta

12:00 -1:30 PM

Lunch & Keynote

Speakers:

  • Marc Williams, Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation

Sponsored by: Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge & City of Del Rio

2:00 -2:30 PM

Bridging Growth: The Economic Case for Extending I-27 Toward the Rio Grande Valley

Speakers:

  • Billy Leung, Senior Vice President, Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI)

2:30 -3:00 PM

Planning the Case for Investment: Future I-27, Port Access, and the Border Master Plan

Speakers:

  • Andrew Canon, Freight, Trade, and Connectivity, Section Leader, Texas Department of Transportation
  • Lorena Echeverria de Misi, Corridor Planning Branch Manager, Planning and Programming Division, Texas Department of Transportation
  • Sergio Vasquez, Border Program Manager, International Trade and Border Planning, Texas Department of Transportation

3:00 -3:30 PM

Break | Snacks / Water / Coffee / Aguas Frescas

Sponsored by: Del Rio Area Development Foundation

3:30 -4:15 PM

Bridging Ports and Corridors: Advancing Cross-Border Trade Infrastructure

Speakers:

  • Del Rio – Alvaro “Al” Arreola, Mayor, City of Del Rio
  • Eagle Pass – Homero Balderas, City Manager, City of Eagle Pass
  • Brownsville – Eric Davila, PE, Chief Development Engineer, Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority

4:15 – 4:45 PM

USMCA and the Corridor Economy: Moving Trade from Border to Market

Speakers:

  • Daniel Covarrubias, PhD, Director, Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development

4:45 – 5:05 PM
Technology-Driven Corridors

Technology-Driven Corridors: Lessons for Moving from Designation to Delivery

Speakers:

  • Tracy Forester, ITS Practice Leader, Halff

5:05 – 5:15 PM

Comments from Texas Office of the Governor

Speakers:

  • David Zapata, Senior International Business Representative, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, Office of the Governor

5:15 – 5:30 PM

Building Momentum: Key Takeaways and Action Items

Del Rio Civic Center – Pecan Ballroom

Speakers:

  • Lauren Garduño, President/CEO, Ports-to-Plains Alliance

5:30 PM

Depart from Civic Center to Ramada by Wyndham

By Transportation Van or Private Vehicles

6:00 PM

Depart from Ramada by Wyndham to Evening Event

Leaving from Ramada by Wyndham


By Transportation Van or Private Vehicles

Sponsored by: Texas Tech University, College of Engineering & Wright Asphalt Products Company

6:30 – 9:30 PM

Evening Event

Main Street Social & Food Truck Fest
Downtown Del Rio • Music • Food Trucks • Border Culture
Mesquite Creek Outfitters, 800 S. Main, Del Rio

Sponsored by: RK&K & Ryan

9:30 PM

Transportation Returns to Ramada by Wyndham

Transportation available from 6:30– 9:00PM

Download the Schedule

Quick Links

Host City

Discover what makes our host city a strategic and welcoming location for this year’s conference, including travel information, attractions, and local highlights.

Explore Del Rio & Acuña

Lodging

Book your accommodations at the official conference hotel and take advantage of the exclusive conference room rate for attendees.

Secure Your Stay

Pricing & Registration

Because of the support provided by our Sponsors, Registration will be FREE. We still need you to register for our conference planning.

Check Pricing & Register

Sponsor the Conference

Sponsor the 2026 Ports-to-Plains Conference to boost visibility, connect with leaders, and support Future Interstate development.

Learn More About Sponsorship