Meet Employers at the Build Freedom Career Expo

The Build Freedom Career Expo is a free, public career fair connecting job seekers, students, veterans, transitioning workers and community members with employers in manufacturing, defense, aerospace, maritime, advanced technology, skilled trades and related industries.

Thursday, October 22, 2026
1–4 p.m.
Galveston Island Convention Center
Free to attend | Registration required

If you would like to attend the Build Freedom Summit on October 20-21, please register HERE!  If you register as an exhibitor for the Build Freedom Summit, you can keep your spot through the Career Expo! 

About the Career Expo

Presented by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the Build Freedom Career Expo brings together leading employers from across high-demand industries, including aerospace, shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, defense, logistics and emerging technologies.

This event is open to the general public and is designed for anyone interested in exploring career opportunities, meeting employers and learning more about technical and professional pathways in industries that support national security, innovation and economic growth.

Who Should Attend?

The Career Expo is open to all job seekers and career explorers, including:

• Members of the general public  
• College and university students  
• Recent graduates  
• Veterans and military-connected job seekers  
• Skilled trades professionals  
• Technical and community college students  
• Workers exploring a career change  
• Individuals interested in manufacturing, defense, maritime, logistics, aerospace, energy or technology careers

What to Expect

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Meet employers and hiring managers in person  
• Learn about full-time roles, internships, apprenticeships and technical career opportunities  
• Explore career pathways in manufacturing, defense, aerospace, maritime, energy and emerging technologies  
• Network with companies working in shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, materials, logistics and related fields  
• Participate in on-site interviews where available

Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and be prepared to speak with employers.

Event Details

Event: Build Freedom Career Expo
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 1–4 p.m.
Location: Galveston Island Convention Center
Cost: Free to attend
Registration: Required  

Questions?

For questions about the Career Expo, contact:

MFGworkforce@tamu.edu

For more information about the Build Freedom Summit please visit us at BuildFreedomSummit.org!

About the Build Freedom U.S. Initiative

The summit is part of the national Build Freedom U.S. initiative created through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program to address critical talent shortages across the defense industrial base. The initiative partners with the Department of War, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, and the National Labor Exchange.