potential client, employee, investor or partner.
We're heading to Charlotte, NC!
The 2026 Housing Innovation Summit is May 19-21.
Discover Actionable Strategies and New Solutions to Transform the Homebuilding Industry
The 2026 Summit is co-hosted by the City of Charlotte and Home Technology Ventures.
More details to be announced soon. Scroll down to explore past programming.
This is Where Innovation Meets Action!
2026 Program Overview
Innovation In Action
Join us for a fully guided, high‑touch experiences that connect you with the region’s top innovators, take you inside the most forward‑thinking projects, and spotlight real solutions being implemented in real time. Designed exclusively for Summit participants, these tours give you direct access to the people, places, and breakthroughs shaping housing’s future, and the relationships that can help you accelerate what comes next.
Pitchfest
Our housing focused startup competition brings the energy of innovation center stage, featuring 12 standout startups selected from across the country to showcase solutions ready to scale. This fast‑paced, high‑impact session gives Summit participants a front‑row seat to the technologies, business models, and bold ideas redefining every stage of the housing lifecycle—from how we buy, finance, and build homes to how we live in them, maintain them, and improve long‑term performance and value. Housing Pitchfest Website
Strategy + Connections
If you’re looking bold ideas to deliver better housing or strengthen your business, this is the room you want to be in. Our interactive sessions bring together leaders from every corner of the production housing lifecycle — from dirt to dweller — for interactive discussions that translate insight into action. You’ll collaborate with executive leadership and senior operators, emerging leaders, homebuilders and developers, architects and engineers, analysts and investors, consultants, manufacturers, technology innovators, and systems‑built construction experts – all working side‑by‑side to shape solutions that move the industry forward.
A Look At Our Time Together
Three days designed to accelerate solutions, activate partnerships, and move the industry forward.
The Summit focuses on real-world innovation, research-backed insight, and actionable pathways leaders can deploy in their organizations and communities. Each day builds from exploration, to analysis, to implementation.
May 19, 2026 | Experience Innovation in the Wild + Meet Tomorrow’s Solutions Today
Day 1 is all about immersion. Participants get out of the conference room and into the field to see breakthrough ideas in practice—followed by Pitchfest, our high‑energy startup competition spotlighting scalable solutions ready for adoption.
- Visit innovation in the field with an optional bus tour
- Evaluate 12 emerging companies during Pitchfest (three rounds of live pitches)
- Join the Opening Reception + celebrate Pitchfest winners
May 20, 2026 | Turning Insight Into Industry‑Level Action
Day 2 unites leaders around deep insights and facilitated conversations aimed at removing barriers, aligning strategies, and advancing system‑level change. This is where research meets action and new roadmaps take shape.
- Break down regulatory costs affecting affordability
- Dive into regional case studies and success stories
- Meet the Housing Innovation Challenge finalists teams
- Align around the Housing Innovation Alliance 10 year road map
- Participate in a foresight workshop to shape the future, together
- Examine workforce transformation + housing’s role in the energy transition
May 21, 2026 | New Thinking, New Frameworks + Next Steps
Day 3 synthesizes everything learned into practical frameworks leaders can take home. We explore structural and cross‑industry ideas that unlock new possibilities.
- Reframe affordability as a systems challenge
- Use the HOME Framework to identify new opportunities
- Explore academia’s role in reshaping talent pipelines and innovation capacity
- Introduce the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools alternative housing benefits platform
Housing Innovation Challenge finalists and their industry partners are invited to participate in a phase 2 kick-off workshop.
Get Involved
Our 2026 Program is by Invitation Only.
Please share your interest to participate via the link below.
2025 Summit Highlights
Driving Growth & Excellence Through Strategic Innovation:
Kerri Paulino, Division President, Meritage Homes
With over 20 years of expertise, Kerri combines her knowledge of market development and operational efficiency to lead strategic innovation initiatives. Learn how she activates these strategies in her markets and supports translation across the broader business. Discover her approach to building high-performing teams that deliver outstanding customer experiences, setting new standards for leadership and innovation in the homebuilding industry.
Cultivating Innovation Sandboxes:
Tom Hoban, President & CIO, Kitson & Partners
Join us as Tom examines the importance of innovation zones to de-risk exploration and experimentation for developers, builders and technology companies. With 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, Tom will share insights from participating in over $10 billion in transactions, emphasizing strategic investments to foster innovation. Alongside industry partners, he’ll explore practical strategies for creating controlled environments that encourage experimentation while safeguarding financial interests. Tom will highlight the collaboration between builders and tech innovators, aiming to drive effective solutions that enhance project outcomes and ensure sustainable growth.
Building a Lasting Legacy:
Howard Hanna III, Chairman, Howard Hanna Real Estate
In this session, Hoddy discusses the importance of investing in innovation and fostering collaborative partnerships in the real estate industry. With a legacy that spans three generations, he has transformed his family-owned company into the largest private real estate firm in the U.S., recognized for its pioneering initiatives and customer-centric services. He’ll also discuss his commitment to setting the next generation of leaders up for success through mentorship, community involvement, and strategic investments in innovative practices. He will highlight the importance of collaboration in driving industry change and how his experiences have contributed to a culture of integrity and excellence.
The Complete 2025 Summit Agenda
Download the full agenda for the 2025 Housing Innovation Summit to get a flavor of what we’re all about.
2025 SUMMIT SPEAKERS & EXPERTS
The Housing Innovation Alliance & the University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation are proud to co-host this event at Phipps Conservatory.
About Summit Sessions
Carter Malloy
Acres
Chris Langford
Home Technology Ventures
Dejan Eskic
Ivory Innovations
Dennis Cestra, Jr.
Howard Hanna
Dennis Steigerwalt
Housing Innovation Alliance
Gilles Retsin
Automated Architecture
Jaime Matheron
DAHLIN Architecture
Jamie Danehower
Van Metre Companies
Jerod Hevel
Rival Holdings
Joe McCarthy
University of Pittsburgh
John Bell
Greyter Water Systems
John Camillus
University of Pittsburgh
John Guilliams
KGA Studio Architects
John Harding
Saint-Gobain
Joshua Henry
TimberHP
Kevin Line
RISE Building Products
Leger Stecker
Synergos Companies
Matt Hoffman
HousingTech
Melissa Bilec
University of Pittsburgh
Oliver Radvin
John Burns
Rich Binsacca
Pro Builder Media
Sara Logan
Volumetric Building Companies
Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki
tst ink llc
Whit Bundy
Brookfield
Zack Zimmerman
BamCore
2025 INNOVATION IN ACTION TOUR HOSTS + LOCATIONS
Here you’ll find more information on the people, organizations, and projects we’ll be visiting.
About Innovation in Action
Allegheny Shores
Edgewater & River’s Edge
Meeder
Rec & Wellness Center
The Picket Fence
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
GALLERY
Photos from Housing Innovation Summit.
Thanks to our Partners for making this event possible!
A special shoutout to our content + media collaborators.
ATTEND
The 2026 Housing Innovation Summit is by invitation only through the Housing Innovation Alliance network. Please share your interest to participate by clicking the link below.
Discounted hotel rooms are available through the link provided on the event registration page.
QUESTIONS?
Contact dennis@housinginnovation.org.