Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Galveston
Expanding and Diversifying Galveston's Employment & Tax Bases
Galveston Construction B2B Expo
featuring Davie Defense
Trade show and networking expo presented by the Galveston Economic Development Partnership and NABCTA
A half-day construction industry trade show and networking expo showcasing contracting opportunities across Galveston County! Connect directly with major projects, including Davie Defense's $750 million facility expansion on the Galveston waterfront.
Wednesday, August 12 | 2:00–6:00 PM | Levin Hall, UTMB, 1006 Market St, Galveston
Davie Defense is investing $750 million to expand its facility on the Galveston waterfront — the largest construction project the island has seen in a generation. And Davie is only part of the story. Texas A&M Galveston is building a $100 million pier. The Port of Galveston is executing a multi-year terminal expansion. The work is coming — the question is who will be positioned to capture it.
The Galveston Construction B2B Expo puts the county's major projects and the businesses that serve them in one room: an exhibit hall, sponsor presentations, a keynote from Davie Defense, and a closing reception.
At 3:00 PM, Davie Defense takes the stage — the expansion plans, the contracting opportunities, and the workforce it will take to build them. If you want a seat at that table, this is where you get it.
Event Details
Admission: $25 — free for dues-paying GEDP members and Friends of the Construction Consortium.
Schedule
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Exhibitor load-in and setup
2:00 PM — Exhibit hall opens: booths, sponsor presentations, and networking
3:00 PM — Keynote: Davie Defense
5:00 – 6:00 PM — Closing reception
Thank You to Our Headline Sponsor
Hensel Phelps — Plan. Build. Manage.
SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsoring the Expo puts your name on the room where Davie and the county's major project owners meet the businesses that will build the work — on every piece of marketing before the event, and in everything published after it.
HEADLINE SPONSOR — $15,000 (Reserved — Hensel Phelps) Name on all marketing and signage. Banner on stage. Keynote introduction. Premier booth location. Recognition in all media and post-event materials. Accelerator-level GEDP membership. Admission for 10.
Premier Sponsor — $5,000 Name on all marketing. Banner at the exhibit hall entrance. Premier booth location. Recognition in all media and post-event materials. Sustaining-level GEDP membership. Admission for 5.
Supporting Sponsor — $1,500 Name on marketing materials. Premier booth location. Admission for 2.
Friend of the Construction Consortium — $125 Name in event materials and free Expo admission.
To sponsor, contact Kelsey Malan at (409) 770-0216 or malan@gedp.org.
EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES
Who should exhibit: general contractors, subcontractors, specialty trades, material and equipment suppliers, architects and engineers, environmental firms, banks and finance, insurance, legal, workforce and staffing, and construction technology companies.
Every booth includes a standard table, two chairs, and a fitted tablecloth — staffed exhibit space for the full event, with access to all attendees and programming. Booths are first-come, first-served and expected to sell out.
EXHIBIT BOOTH (GEDP Member) — $500 Standard table, 2 chairs, fitted tablecloth. Staffed exhibit space for the full event. Access to all attendees and programming.
EXHIBIT BOOTH (Non-Member) — $1,000 Standard table, 2 chairs, fitted tablecloth. Staffed exhibit space for the full event. Access to all attendees and programming.
NON-MEMBER + GEDP MEMBERSHIP BUNDLE — $1,250 Standard table, 2 chairs, fitted tablecloth. Staffed exhibit space for the full event. Access to all attendees and programming. Includes discounted pathway to GEDP annual membership.
Event Contact Kelsey Malan (409) 770-0216 malan@gedp.org
Hamburger Cookoff with Construction Consortium
Join us for the July Construction Consortium!
The Galveston Construction Consortium is open for all Galveston County Architects, Engineers, General Contractors, Home Builders, Sub-Contractors, Suppliers, and anyone who participates in the Construction Industry, including Insurance, Banking, and Bookkeeping professionals.
Thursday, July 16th, 2026
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Zero/Six Consulting Offices, 1027 23rd St.
Enjoy burgers with a side for just $15.
Sponsorship opportunities - $500 Sponsors receive a banner display at the event and a few minutes to speak to attendees. A great way to get your brand in front of Galveston’s construction community!
Thank you to our sponsors!
HigherUp CFO Services
Immaculate Painting
Broaddus Companies
Ground Breaking Celebration | Davie Defense & Gulf Copper
The Galveston Economic Development Partnership joined with Davie Defense, Gulf Copper, the City of Galveston, the Port of Galveston, and state and federal government leaders, celebrated a historic groundbreaking on Pelican Island for a new shipbuilding facility that returns complex shipbuilding to the Texas Gulf Coast.
Davie Defense's $1 billion investment will create more than 2,400 quality jobs—from welders and pipefitters to electricians and engineers—with many careers developed locally through training partnerships with Texas A&M University at Galveston and Galveston College.
The facility will produce U.S. Coast Guard Arctic security cutters as its first vessels, positioning Galveston at the center of critical national security manufacturing. This transformational project is the result of sustained collaboration among local, state, and federal partners who remained committed to the table, bringing this investment home.
With Governor Abbott, Senator Cruz, Representative Weber, and U.S. Coast Guard leadership in attendance, the groundbreaking reflects the broad coalition effort behind this achievement—and marks the beginning of the real work of building the future.
A Record-Breaking Summit. A Shared Vision for Galveston’s Future.
The Galveston Economic Development Partnership (GEDP) and the Galveston Center for Innovation and Transformation (GCIT) extend our sincere appreciation to the hundreds of attendees, sponsors, and partners who made the 13th Annual Economic Development Summit — Investing in Galveston a resounding success.
This year’s Summit was completely sold out — every table, ticket, and exhibitor space reserved — marking the most well-attended event in GEDP history. The energy, ideas, and engagement throughout the day reflected Galveston’s momentum and its growing role as a regional economic leader.
More than a forum, the Summit has become a catalyst — uniting leaders from business, government, education, healthcare, and the nonprofit sectors to exchange ideas and build partnerships that shape the island’s economic future. Together, we explored the opportunities and challenges that define Galveston’s growth — from workforce development and housing to healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, and innovation.
Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our 2025 Summit Sponsors
Keynote Sponsor
City of Galveston
Industrial Development Corporation
Luncheon Sponsors
Frost Bank
Galveston-Texas City Pilots
Falcontail Marketing & Design
Galveston Independent School District
Galveston Restaurant Group
Galveston-Texas City Pilots
GB Tech
Gulf Copper Drydock & Rig Repair
Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP
Branded Conference Tote Sponsor
HomeTown Bank
VIP Reception Sponsors
G Squared Private Wealth
Bassett Family Interests
Galveston Restaurant Group
Pioneer
Innovator
Accelerator
Entrepreneur
Hensel Phelps
J.W. Kelso Company, Inc.
Joe Tramonte Realty, Inc.
Kirby Advertising
McCoy’s Building Supply
O’Connor Tax Reduction Experts
Sullivan Brothers Family of Companies
Presenting Gift Sponsor
Moody Bank
Breakfast Sponsors
Port of Galveston / Galveston Wharves
Hensel Phelps
Marie Robb for Mayor
Gulf Copper Drydock & Rig Repair
Teichman Group
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Texas First Bank
The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center
The Tremont House
Titan Technologies
Tolunay-Wong Engineers
GEDP Developer Profile 2024
As part of our Annual Economic Development Summit, the GEDP publishes the Developer Profile. This comprehensive publication offers in-depth demographic and statistical data on Galveston and its key industry sectors, while also spotlighting current, upcoming, and recently completed projects and developments.
Welcome New Members
As a member of the GEDP, you are now part of a private, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the economic future of our entire community — from expanding employment opportunities and growing the tax base to creating a pro-business climate that attracts new investment to our Island. Your membership plays a vital role in driving that mission forward. Through participation in our critical task forces, you will have a direct hand in shaping the strategies and plans that make Galveston a thriving place to live, work, and do business.
New Member Highlight
Welcome: Triple S-Steel Supply – Galveston, TX
Triple-S Steel was established in 1960 by Bruce Stein as a small steel distribution yard in Houston, TX, and has grown into a leading steel supplier with locations across multiple states. The Galveston location specifically came about after Triple-S Steel Holdings acquired the assets of Galveston-based Industrial Material Corp. in November 2025, sparing the longtime island business from closure.
They serve Galveston and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities with a full line of steel and metal products, positioned as the go-to supplier for construction, fabrication, and industrial projects of all sizes.
The facility stocks a wide inventory including angle, bar, beam, channel, decking, expanded metal, pipe, rebar, sheet, and more — available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel. Beyond raw material supply, the Galveston facility offers in-house metal processing including plasma cutting, saw cutting, shearing, will call/same-day pickup, and just-in-time delivery.
Their customer base includes residential and commercial contractors, fabricators and welders, OEMs, industrial operations, farmers and ranchers, municipal/government entities, and walk-in retail customers.
Visit Triple-S Steel Supply online at https://www.triple-s-steel.com/galveston-steel-supplier/
New Member Highlight
Welcome: The San Luis Resort – Galveston, TX
A flagship of Galveston’s hospitality economy, The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center joins GEDP as a 32‑acre beachfront destination known for elevated service and year‑round appeal. The San Luis has held the AAA Four Diamond designation since 1999 and offers a mix of luxury rooms and suites—250 guest rooms, each with a private balcony—along with signature dining concepts like The Steakhouse, Grotto, and Blake’s Bistro. The resort is part of the Landry’s family of hospitality brands rooted in the Gulf Coast.
Beyond leisure, The San Luis is a powerhouse for meetings and events. Across the resort complex, planners can access ~200,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities, ~700 adjacent guest rooms, and ten restaurants, anchored by an IACC‑accredited conference center. Connected to the property is the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort—140,000 sq. ft. with a 43,100‑sq.‑ft. Exhibit hall, 15,500‑sq.‑ft. Grand ballroom, and 12,000 sq. ft. of breakout space overlooking the Gulf. Together, this capacity supports year‑round group business and “shoulder‑season” visitation that benefits local employers and small businesses alike.
The San Luis also celebrates Galveston’s heritage—its dramatic siting incorporates the historic Fort Crockett battery structures—and continues to invest in amenities that keep visitors returning, from The Cove's tropical pool with private cabanas to the secluded Villas at The San Luis for ultra-private stays. We’re proud to welcome a member that embodies both place and progress.
Visit The San Luis Resort online at https://www.sanluisresort.com/
The GEDP supports existing and new businesses by providing the infrastructure to be globally competitive.
Since 1999, through the public-private membership base of the GEDP, assistance has been provided, including demographic and socioeconomic information, utilization of a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) for project development activities, maintenance of an information clearinghouse and economic climate assessments that have been made available to those seeking to make Galveston a better place.
Priority areas of investment include those projects capable of expanding or enhancing the core industries for the Galveston economic base: Maritime, Tourism, Education, Healthcare, and Emerging Technologies.
Maximizing Galveston’s human, natural, and financial resources, the GEDP remains committed to facilitating quality projects that work to expand Galveston’s employment and tax bases. Galveston is an island of opportunity and the GEDP looks forward to working with you on future projects.