The Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) conference is a yearly event by North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and it is the largest gathering of tradeswomen in the world. TBB has a special relationship with this international conference. In the past, we’ve been able to bring key partners to the USA for the event, we’ve run workshops there, and it continues to be a meeting place for former delegates to reunite. This year, many of our members descended on Las Vegas Nevada for the event.

This year, we were able to distribute information about our organization at one of the tables in the main gathering area. Some of our leadership met with union leaders about creating women’s committees. We also met with other international partners about issues affecting our union sisters abroad and future delegations.

More than anything, it was an opportunity to recharge and connect with sisters from across North America. Guest speakers included Martin Walsh, Secretary, US DOL; Gina Raimondo, Secretary, US DOC; Wendy Chun-Hoon, Director, DOL Women Bureau; Sean Garvey, President, NABTU; Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO and many others. 

A range of workshops offered at the conference from Women in Union Leadership to Be That One Guy (a workshop offering strategies against workplace harassment) inspired and energized our sisters! We are proud to continue supporting and participating in this conference.