On Thursday, September 17, more than 60 industry leaders, educators, and advocates gathered at the Riverbend Pavilion at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa for Future in Focus, a fundraising reception hosted by Explore The Trades. With a nostalgic nod to the past and a clear view of what’s ahead, the evening celebrated how far the skilled trades have come and the people working to secure their future.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone in the room, we raised more than $25,000 to help introduce students across the country to rewarding careers in the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades.
Thank you to Our Sponsors, Panelists, and Guests
Our Event Sponsors
Events like Future in Focus aren’t possible without partners who believe in our mission. We are especially grateful to our event sponsors, ShuBee and HD Supply, for helping make this evening a success. Their support helps us put career resources in front of more students, parents, and educators across the country.
Our Leading The Trades Panelists
We are also incredibly grateful to our Leading The Trades panelists for joining us and sharing their time, experience, and passion for the skilled trades with our guests. Each of them is helping open doors for the next generation of tradespeople, and we were honored to have them with us:
Evin Jarrett, Director of Trade Exposure Network and Construction Trades Teacher at Mayfair School
Judaline Cassidy, Founder of Tools & Tiaras and member of Plumbers Local Union No. 1
Andrew Brown, Founder of Trades Media, host of ‘The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades’ podcast, and Explore The Trades Board Trustee
(L to R: Andrew Brown; Kate Cinnamo; Judaline Cassidy; Evin Jarrett)
Looking Back to Bring the Future of the Trades into View
Future in Focus was designed to help guests reflect on where the skilled trades began while keeping an eye on where they’re headed. Retro ViewFinders gave attendees a hands-on, nostalgic look at the evolution of the industry, from the tools and techniques of generations past to the students who are becoming a part of the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
The program and mission moment brought that story full circle, reminding everyone in attendance why this work matters and how their support reaches students, parents, and teachers nationwide. In between, guests enjoyed meaningful networking trading stories, making new connections, and sharing a common goal: building a strong pipeline of skilled trades professionals.
(Attendees explore the history of the trades through the ViewFinders.)
Why Strengthening the Skilled Trades Pipeline Matters
Skilled trades careers are essential to our economy, yet a widening workforce gap threatens future growth. As experienced professionals retire, the demand for trained, motivated talent continues to rise, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady demand for plumbers and other trades professionals in the years ahead.
That’s where Explore The Trades comes in. The funds raised at Future in Focus directly support our mission of:
Raising awareness of high-demand, rewarding careers in the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades
Supporting students, parents, and educators with classroom resources and an education-to-industry equipment grant program
Serving as a partner to industry leaders and employers with an ever-growing library of contractor-specific tools
To date, Explore The Trades has reached over 1.3 million students in more than 3,300 school districts throughout the United States.
A Lazy River Duck Race Finale to Remember
No evening would be complete without a little friendly competition. Every registration included one duck for our featured Lazy River Rubber Duck Race, and as the ducks were released, guests lined the water to cheer on their picks in a high-energy, memorable close to the night.
Congratulations to our winner, the Tony LaMartina Plumbing Company! In a true show of support for the next generation of tradespeople, they generously donated their $500 in winnings right back to Explore The Trades. Thank you for going above and beyond to champion the future of the industry.
(L to R: Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director, Explore The Trades; Matt LaMartina, Owner, Tony LaMartina Plumbing Company; Peter Kuehnel, Operations Manager, Tony LaMartina Plumbing Company)
Our Guests and Supporters
A heartfelt thank you also goes to every guest who attended, registered, raced a duck, or made a donation. Your partnership helps inspire the next generation and sustain these critical industries.
Keep the Future of the Trades in Focus
The momentum from Future in Focus doesn’t have to end with the evening. Whether you’re a contractor, manufacturer, educator, or advocate, there are plenty of ways to help more young people discover careers in the skilled trades. Make a donation to support our programs, explore how to become a partner, or contact our team to get involved. We can’t wait to see you at our next event!