RELEASE: Engineers Without Borders USA Concludes 2026 “Building Tomorrow Together” Conference in Portland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2026
Denver, CO — Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) brought together a global community of changemakers across various engineering fields and the humanitarian sector last month in Portland, Oregon, for its annual conference. This three-day event, themed “Building Tomorrow, Together,” focused on promoting the advancement of infrastructure equity in engineering by bringing together students, professionals, and partners from around the world.
The 2026 conference marked another year of growth, welcoming more than 500 attendees, representing over 90 chapters, featuring 118 speakers across 47 sessions, including 7 hands-on workshops. Attendees, ranging from community partners and seasoned practitioners to rising leaders in engineering, engaged in conversations and collaboration around real-world engineering challenges from water systems and energy access to stakeholder engagement and long-term project sustainability.
Students reflected on the impact of the weekend, with one attendee from the University of Florida sharing, “Meeting engineers, mentors, and partners who share a passion for making the world better reminded me why I joined EWB four years ago. Through workshops and presentations, I learned new strategies for strengthening project partnerships and supporting chapter operations.”
The conference also featured a job and opportunity fair that helped connect attendees with leading engineering firms, academic programs, and industry organizations. These interactions provided pathways for students and professionals to continue their impact beyond the conference. One volunteer shared, “Learning that we are all in a community and not separate chapters, but rather part of a collective network of people all working toward the same goal, was something that really stayed with me. It reminded me that the work we do is bigger than any single campus or project, it’s about continuing to support one another, share ideas, and build momentum together so that the impact we create can reach far beyond our own communities.”
The Portland conference emphasized the organization’s commitment to engineering solutions that are effective, locally informed, and sustainable. The next annual conference, scheduled for March 2027 in St. Louis, Missouri, will mark 25 years of EWB-USA’S commitment to advancing community-driven infrastructure worldwide.
Learn more about EWB-USA and future conferences at: ewb-usa.org
About Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA)
Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is a nonprofit organization advancing sustainable, community-driven engineering solutions that meet basic human needs. Since 2002, the organization has completed more than 1,200 projects in over 700 communities, improving the lives of more than 5.2 million people. In 2025 alone, EWB-USA reached over 800,000 people, with a majority of projects focused on expanding access to safe water. EWB-USA is committed to developing globally-minded leaders who will continue shaping a more sustainable and equitable world.