The Puerto Rico Builders Association held its 51st Annual Convention on October 9-10, 2024, at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. The 2024 convention themed “Vision 2025 and Beyond” brought together key industry leaders and allies who took advantage of a well-designed program in terms of education, advocacy, and celebration.
The two-day event kicked off with our Annual Members's Meeting where members of the PRBA elected the new board of directors who will begin their duties in January 2025. Later, all attendees had the opportunity to hear a direct dialogue with all former Governor Candidates, Hon. Jenniffer González, Resident Commissioner, PNP; Juan Dalmau, Esq., PIP and Alliance Candidate; Hon. Jesús Manuel Ortiz, PPD Candidate, and Hon. Javier Jiménez from Proyecto Dignidad. All candidates presented their housing and construction proposals to impulse economic development on the Island.
Also, during the ACPR Vision 2025 Convention, attendees had the opportunity to share and converse with the most influential people in construction and development in Puerto Rico, exchange ideas, discover new possibilities and expand their professional network.
This year's agenda confirmed that Puerto Rico’s Builders Association Annual Convention is the most important event in the construction industry in the Island. The annual convention included panels and events such as:
1. Coastal Resiliency: Empowerment Initiatives with speaker Anthony Graziano, CEO of Integra Realty Resources & and ULI SE Florida / Caribbean District Council Chair.
2. AI and 3D Printing: Transforming Construction Practices with panelists Mario Scaccia, Azure Senior Sales Professional Corporate Accounts at Microsoft Central and Caribbean Region, and Héctor Romero, PE., R&D Project Leader of Future Tech / Argos.
3. Harnessing Workforce Potential: Key Opportunities for Labor Development with panelists Ed Brady, President & CEO of Home Builders Institute (HBI); Jenny Mar Cañón, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico; and Isabel Rullán, Co-Founder and Executive Director, ConPRmetidos. The panel was moderated by Waleska Rivera, President and CEO, Danosa.
4. Urban Renewal & Other Incentives for The Industry with panelists Carlos Fontán, Esq., Director of the Office of Incentives for Businesses in Puerto Rico - Department of Economic Development and Commerce, and Graham Castillo, President of Estudios Técnicos, Inc. Omar Mues, CPA, Tax Partner, Kevane Grant Thornton served as moderator for this panel.
5. The Future of Puerto Rico’s Economic Development with speaker José Pérez Riera, Esq., Revitalization Coordinator, Financial Oversight Management Board, and moderated by Agustín Rojo Montilla, President of the PRBA.
6. Act 60’s Economic Ripple: Puerto Rico’s Future with panelists Federico "Friedel" Stubbe, PE, Chairman of PRISA Group; Gustavo Vélez, Founder of Intelligent Economics, and Edgar Ríos, Esq., Partner, Tax Practice at Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP. This panel was moderated by Armando Vilas, Esq. Executive Vice President at Interlink.
7. Boosting the Economy: The Power of Tourism with panelists Zeek Coleman, Vice President at Americas at Tourism Economics, and José "Peco" Suárez, President and CEO, Bluhost. Co-moderators: Federico Stubbe Jr., CEO at PRISA Group, and Federico J. Sánchez, President & CEO, Interlink.
8. Economic Vision 2025: Blueprint For Growth with panelists Hon. Luis Fortuño, Former Governor of Puerto Rico, and Founder of CRECE; and Jorge Rodríguez, PE, Founder and CEO, Instituto de Libertad Económica para Puerto Rico (ILE-PR). Moderator: Rafael Rojo, President and CEO, VRM Companies.
9. Bogotá's Approach to Urban Renewal: from Planning to Execution with Keynote Speakers Daniel Eduardo Contreras, Undersecretary of Financial Management, District Secretary of Habitat, Bogotá; and Daniela Guzmán Álvarez, Deputy Manager of Project Execution, Bogotá Urban Renewal and Development Company – RenoBo.
10. Puerto Rico's Housing Dilemma: Exploring the Underlying Causes with panelists Francis Pérez, Research and Analysis Manager at Foundation for Puerto Rico; and Patsy Ramírez-Arroyo, Development and Marketing Director at Foundation for Puerto Rico. Moderator: Emilio Colón Zavala, PE, President and CEO of ECZ Group, Inc.
In addition, the event had the pleasure of having guests Jim Tobin, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB); Julie Medley, Executive Director of Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council at the Urban Land Institute (ULI); Anthony Graziano, CEO of Integra Realty Resources and ULI SE Florida / Caribbean District Council Chair, among other important figures within the banking, finance, hotel, and tourism industries.
One of the highlights of the convention was the Awards Luncheon celebration, where the most outstanding construction companies and projects were recognized, along with this year’s most outstanding professionals. Projects with a positive impact on communities, excellence in construction, sustainability and innovation in construction are the attributes that were distinguished in this year’s Awards Luncheon Ceremony during the second day of its Vision 2025 and Beyond convention.
“We recognize all those who against all odds persevere and succeed. We are not only building structures, but we are also building the country. Beyond the economic impact that our projects have, they have a social impact. Our partners persevere because more than an economic vision, they have the vision of a better Puerto Rico,” said the president of the PRBA, Agustín Rojo Montilla.
This year’s PRBA’s Vision 2025 Convention was truly remarkable! A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event so memorable, specially all our sponsors and industry colleagues who participated in this unforgettable event.
