In less than two months, more than 600 housing professionals, advocates, and policymakers from across the country will gather with the National Housing Conference for our Annual Housing Visionary Awards Gala. We have added as many tables as we can, and we again expect to start a waitlist soon, as we did in 2025, so now is the time to secure your tickets for June 24 at The Anthem in Washington, DC.
Together, we will celebrate outstanding leadership in affordable housing and community development while bringing the housing community together to connect, reflect, and build momentum. Sponsorship opportunities remain available, but time is short as program and signage deadlines approach. It is not too late to join Rocket, JPMorganChase, Airbnb, the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks, the Mortgage Bankers Association, Truist, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, and the National Apartment Association in supporting NHC, our housing visionaries, and your organization.
This year, NHC is proud to honor Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE) and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) with the Carl A.S. Coan, Sr., Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, their bipartisan leadership on the HOME Reform Act reflects a long-standing commitment to addressing our nation’s housing challenges and advancing thoughtful reforms that expand housing opportunities and help more Americans access safe, affordable homes.
We will also celebrate two industry trailblazers as our 2026 Housing Visionary Award honorees: Bill Emerson, Board Member of Rocket Companies, and Debra W. Still, CMB, retired CEO and Vice Chair of Pulte Financial Services. Their decades of leadership have strengthened the housing finance system, expanded access to homeownership, and advanced industry practices that benefit communities nationwide.
Bill Emerson’s leadership has helped guide one of the nation’s largest housing finance companies through periods of significant growth and economic uncertainty, while maintaining a strong commitment to organizational culture, innovation, and community impact. Deb Still’s more than four decades of leadership, at both Pulte Financial Services and the Mortgage Bankers Association, have helped shape a more inclusive, responsible, and resilient mortgage industry. Together, they embody the principled leadership we need to strengthen our housing system for generations to come.
We invite you to explore highlights from last year’s celebration and to join us this June as we honor this year’s exceptional awardees. Do not miss this opportunity—confirm your participation or sponsorship today.
New this year, the Gala will begin at 5:00 PM with an expanded networking reception, giving attendees even more time to connect with peers before dinner and the highly anticipated awards program. The evening will close with a dessert reception and another opportunity to continue conversations and build relationships.
These meaningful connections—and the shared commitment behind them—are what make the Gala such a powerful platform for impact. Aligning your organization with the Gala and its honorees enhances your visibility, engagement, and networking opportunities. By supporting one another and working collaboratively across sectors, we strengthen our collective ability to address the nation’s most pressing affordable housing challenges.
Please consider supporting this year’s honorees and NHC by purchasing a ticket and/or becoming a Gala sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities begin at $3,500, with a range of options designed to maximize your visibility and engagement. Below is a sample of the sponsorships available:
- Advocate ($15,000) – includes a Gala table with preferred seating, a full-page ad and listing in the Gala Tribute Book, promotion in printed and electronic marketing materials, acknowledgment in the opening and closing media presentations, and prominent listing of company logo, name, and website link on the event webpage.
- Champion ($10,000) – includes a Gala table with preferred seating, a half-page ad and listing in the Gala Tribute Book, acknowledgment in the opening and closing media presentations, and a range of promotional opportunities.
- Opportunity Builder ($5,000) – includes five Gala tickets and a quarter-page ad and listing in the Gala Tribute Book.
- Friend ($3,500) – includes two Gala tickets and a quarter-page ad in the Gala Tribute Book.
If you cannot attend this year’s Gala or do not need additional tickets, you can still show your support by placing an ad in the Gala Tribute Book and by displaying a digital ad onsite at The Anthem. This is a meaningful way to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s honorees and highlight your commitment to our mission. Tribute Book ads start at $750 for a quarter page and go up to $2,500 for a full page. Digital ads start at $325 for a quarter page and go up to $1,250 for a full page. You can also choose to have your name listed in the Gala Tribute Book for $250. Learn more about these opportunities here.
I hope you will join us in honoring these truly visionary housing leaders on June 24 at The Anthem. Please visit our website at nhc.org/event/gala or contact NHC’s Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Mitchell, at amitchell@nhc.org for more information.