Summit to focus on I-35 Corridor

SAN MARCOS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The 2026 Infrastructure Summit, cohosted by the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, will take place on Wednesday March 4 at the San Mar- cos Conference Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This year’s Summit, presented by HNTB, will focus on transportation infrastructure, convening business, government, and community leaders for an in-depth conversation on the projects and policies shaping the region’s mobility and economic future.

The Summit has added a panel discussion titled “Lessons from the Field – How Major Projects Get Done,” This panel will feature Hays County Commissioner Morgan Hammer, Caldwell County Commissioner Ed Theriot, Williamson County Commissioner Cynthia Long and Mike Trimble, Director of Transportation and Public Works for The City of Kyle. Will Conley, Principal at American Structurepoint, will moderate this panel.

Conley is also moderating the previously announced panel “Fireside Chat: Building Strategic Partnerships with TxDOT.” Keynote speaker Steve Alvis, Texas Transportation Commissioner, will be part of this panel, along with TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson and TxDOT San Antonio District Engineer Charles Benavidez, two leaders responsible for planning, delivering, and managing transportation projects across the Austin-San Antonio corridor.

Alvis brings decades of experience in large-scale infrastructure development and private sector real estate investment. As commissioner, Alvis plays a key role in setting statewide priorities, approving major investments, and guiding long-range planning efforts that directly affect fast-growing regions like Central Texas.

Panelists will share practical perspectives on how complex transportation projects move from planning to completion, and what it takes to align agencies, funding, and community priorities. Designed for both business and public-sector leaders, the Infrastructure Summit offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from decision- makers and gain valuable insight into how today’s transportation strategies will shape the region’s long-term growth and prosperity.

“This summit is about helping businesses prepare for what’s ahead,” said Mike Kamerlander, President and CEO of the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership. “Transportation decisions made today will influence where people live, how employees commute, and how goods move for decades. Connecting these conversations directly to the business community is essential for long-term economic vitality.”

For more information or to secure tickets, visit bit.ly/Infrastructure-Summit or contact the San Marcos Area Chamber at chamber@sanmarcostexas. com.