At the 2026 ALIS Design+ conference and trade fair in Los Angeles this January, Continental Contractors had the opportunity to present Structures of Hospitality Excellence (SoHE) scholarships to three students who are choosing to build their careers in the trades. The scholarships were awarded through the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality (NEWH) and supported by Continental Contractors, Architectural Concepts, Delta Faucet, and ALIS Design+.

Each student (one HVAC, one electrical, and one construction management major) shared a few words about why they chose their path and what the financial support would mean for them. They were poised and professional, and offered honest, practical reasons for entering the trades: learning a skill that matters, doing work that produces something real, and creating a stable future. The HVAC and electrical students were each awarded $5,000 — sponsored by Delta Faucets and Architectural Concepts — and the construction management student received $10,000 — sponsored by ALIS Design+ and Continental Contractors. Standing there with them was a reminder that workforce conversations stop being theoretical when you’re looking someone in the eye who’s committing to the craft.

Supporting the trades is core to how we think about the future of this industry. The hospitality renovation work we do depends on skilled professionals who understand the jobsite, coordination, safety, and accountability. If we want strong projects in five, ten, or twenty years, we have to invest in the people entering the pipeline now. Scholarships are one piece of that effort. They don’t solve everything, but they show that the hospitality industry is paying attention and committing to support these future construction leaders.

We also want to acknowledge the partners who helped make these awards possible. NEWH created the SoHE Scholarship program, and Architectural Concepts, Delta Faucet, and ALIS Design+ co-sponsored alongside us, reinforcing that supporting workforce development isn’t something any one company owns. Real progress comes from shared participation and shared responsibility, and their involvement is incredibly important. 

One challenge we continue to face is awareness. Funding the scholarships is not the hard part right now — getting applications in is. There are students out there who would benefit from these opportunities, but they’re not always hearing about them through their programs or instructors. That’s a gap we’re actively trying to close.

So here’s the ask: if you know of a trade school, technical program, or construction-focused curriculum that we should be engaging with, please tell us. Make the introduction. Expanding the pipeline takes connection and outreach, and ideally a personal investment, even if that is a simple introduction email.

We’re proud of the students who stepped forward, grateful to the partners who supported the effort, and committed to continuing the work of strengthening the trades that keep this industry moving.

Here are some pictures from this year’s event:

 

Jacob Mattson (center) was the recipient of the $10K SOHE scholarship that will go towards his degree in construction management. Continental Contractors, along with ALIS Design+, sponsors the $10K SOHE scholarship. Pictured here with Jacob are Michelle Finn of ALIS Design+ (left), and Renee Bagshaw, COO of Continental Contractors (right).

Pictured here are representatives of the 2026 NEWH SoHE Scholarship Awards (left to right): Emily Mueller (Delta Faucets), Renee Bagshaw, Chris Tucker (NEWH President), Michelle Finn (ALIS Design+), and Dan Benz (Architectural Concepts). 

Continental Contractors COO Renee Bagshaw had the honor of presenting the scholarships at the award ceremony.