Press release from the Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Complimentary registration is now open. Advance registration is required.
The 2026 Ports-to-Plains Alliance Annual Conference will bring more than 250 attendees to Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Sept. 8-10, 2026.
As longtime supporters of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, the City of Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña are jointly hosting the 2026 Annual Conference, continuing their shared commitment to strengthening transportation infrastructure, facilitating international trade, and expanding economic opportunity. Their partnership exemplifies the collaborative approach central to the Alliance’s mission.
As the Alliance’s signature annual forum, the conference will bring stakeholders together to exchange knowledge, collaborate on initiatives, and discuss policies that support continued investment in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.
This year’s theme, “Building the Future Interstate: Bridging from Designation to Delivery,” reflects the Alliance’s continued focus on transforming more than 30 years of planning and legislative progress into investments that strengthen connectivity, commerce, and economic opportunity.
Conference sessions will explore transportation funding, Interstate 27 implementation, border infrastructure, international trade, freight mobility, port development, and emerging transportation technologies.
The conference will feature keynote remarks by Marc Williams, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation, whose leadership in transportation policy and infrastructure initiatives has made him a respected voice on issues affecting the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.
“Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña are the right communities to host this year’s conference because they show exactly why the Ports-to-Plains Corridor matters. This region sits at the intersection of transportation, trade, border security, energy, agriculture, and economic opportunity. As we move from designation to delivery, our focus is on turning decades of planning and advocacy into real infrastructure investment that strengthens communities, supports international commerce, and builds a safer, more efficient Future Interstate system,” said Lauren Garduño, President/CEO, Ports-to-Plains Alliance.
Complimentary registration is available to anyone interested in attending, including elected officials, local government leaders, transportation and industry professionals, business leaders, and members of the public who want to learn more about the corridor and its future.
Members of the media are also invited to attend and cover the conference at no cost. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. Early registration is encouraged to secure a seat, as walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
Conference activities begin Tuesday evening with attendee check-in and a welcome reception at the Ramada by Wyndham, followed by a kickoff mixer at Gin House Jazz Club in Del Rio.
On Wednesday, attendees will travel to Ciudad Acuña for a full day of conference activities focused on transportation, trade, infrastructure, and cross-border collaboration. Bus transportation will be provided between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña.
Participants traveling to Mexico must present a valid passport, passport card, Global Entry card, or SENTRI card.
Conference sessions resume Thursday at the Del Rio Civic Center before concluding that evening with the Main Street Social and Food Truck Fest in downtown Del Rio.
For conference registration, the agenda, lodging information, sponsorship opportunities, and exhibit information, visit:
Ports-to-Plains Alliance Annual Conference
About the Ports-to-Plains Alliance
The Ports-to-Plains Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of communities, states, ports, businesses, and economic development organizations dedicated to developing a safe, efficient, and connected multimodal transportation network that strengthens economic opportunity throughout the international corridor.
