August 2025 Vol. 80 No. 8
Features
UIC 2026 set for San Antonio with revamped schedule, awards and expo
By Karen Francis
(UI) — The underground infrastructure industry is about to experience something extraordinary. The 2026 Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) is heading to San Antonio, Texas, for the first time since 2012. And this year, the experience has been reimagined to deliver more value, more connections and more return on investment in just two high-energy days.
Mark your calendars for Jan. 27-28, 2026, because UIC is making a powerful statement: two concentrated days of unmatched value, premium experiences and game-changing connections at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Why the change changes everything
This is about doing everything better. Gone are the stretched schedules and decision fatigue. UIC 2026 delivers maximum impact in a streamlined format that respects your time while amplifying your results.
Mornings kick off with benchmark educational sessions from 8 a.m. to noon, featuring deep dives into sewer/water, HDD, asset management, emerging technologies and more. Then, as attendees move to the exhibit hall from noon to 5 p.m., they will be equipped with fresh insights and immediate needs, where they will see trenchless and open-cut equipment and technologies for real-world project situations.
The exhibit hall becomes a living classroom with three exclusive technical theaters: construction, rehabilitation and asset management. Exhibitors can host live demonstrations and technical presentations. Center Stage brings high-impact panels right to the heart of the action, while the Innovation Lounge creates the perfect environment for those crucial informal conversations that often lead to the biggest deals.
The new structure transforms every moment into an opportunity that attendees and exhibitors can take advantage of and benefit from!
San Antonio: your new business headquarters
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center provides the perfect backdrop for serious business. Located in the heart of San Antonio's vibrant downtown, you are minutes from world-class dining, entertainment, and the legendary River Walk atmosphere that makes post-conference networking feel less like work and more like the relationship-building it truly is.
Sitting on the River Walk is UIC’s headquarters hotel – Hotel Contessa. This luxe, all-suite gem is the smartest move you can make. Every morning, you are just steps from the convention center and there is no rideshares, no traffic, no wasted time. The property boasts floor-to-ceiling views, quick access to world-class dining and unmatched convenience.
Rooms are limited and will sell out fast, so reserve early to ensure you are a part of the action. Suites are $229 plus $9 amenity fee. Visit UI-Conference.com for more information.
Recognition that matters
For the first time, the Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIAs) will combine with the Underground Construction Technology Association’s (UCTA) MVP luncheon for a spectacular midday celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The UI Awards celebrate the projects and technologies driving our industry forward. Nominations are open at ui-conference.com, and this is your chance to showcase excellence while positioning your team among the industry's most innovative leaders.
Whether you are nominating a groundbreaking project or revolutionary technology, the UIAs offer unparalleled visibility among the 1,200+ qualified professionals who will gather in San Antonio. Plus, you will get bragging rights and will be mentioned in Underground Infrastructure magazine. Submit your nominations today!
The smart money is moving
Premium corner booths and locations near the technical theaters are open. The companies that understand the value of this new format – and the strategic advantage of being part of UIC 2026 in San Antonio – are securing their positions now.
If you want your company to stand out in this influential environment, UIC offers unmatched opportunities to amplify your presence:
- Exhibit: All booths include visibility in Underground Infrastructure magazine, email marketing, the onsite program, and the conference app.
- Present: Reserve a technical theater slot to host a live demonstration or technical session.
- Sponsor: From the innovation lounge to exhibit hall Networking Party, to education track sponsorships and more, your brand can take center stage in the conversations that matter.
UIC brings together a large crowd of qualified professionals, including engineers, contractors, senior management, and utility operators – people who control billions of dollars in purchasing decisions. Whether you are aiming to build strategic partnerships or capture leads that drive revenue, this is where you need to be.
The attendee breakdown says it all:
- 22 percent Engineers
- 20 percent Senior Management and VPs
- 25 percent Business Operations
- 18 percent Owners, Presidents, and Directors
In just two days, you can accomplish what might take months of travel, outreach and follow-up calls.
Contact Josh@UndergroundInfrastructure.com or Peter.Royall@GulfEnergyInfo.com and secure your spot today!
Plan ahead now
UIC 2026 is the evolution of how serious professionals approach business development, education, and networking in infrastructure. This is your chance to start the year strong, build relationships that last, and invest in the future of your company—and your career.
The countdown to Jan. 27-28, 2026, has begun. Registration opens August 15. The education program will be announced in September. Are you ready to be part of something bigger? Visit UI-Conference.com for details.
See you in San Antonio!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Karen Francis is the convention director for UIC. Contact her at Karen@UndergroundInfrastructure.com
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