October 21 – 23, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Conference Schedule

sessions

No sessions match your filters.

Wednesday, October 21

9:00am–10:30am
N219-220

automation / robotics

F001: The Strategic Imperative for Industrial AI
9:00am–10:30am
N221-222

automation / robotics

F010: The Autonomous Factory Era
9:00am–10:30am
N205-206

forming & fabricating

F019: Press Brakes and Tooling For Engineers
9:00am–10:30am
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F027: In-Line Punching and Cutoffs and Press Tonnage
9:00am–10:30am
N203-204

job shop operations

F041: Designing the High-Performance Job Shop: Structure, Systems, & Scalable Management
9:00am–10:30am
N201-202

job shop production

F052: Next-Gen Production Scheduling: Turning Static ERP Plans into Agile Shop Floor Action
9:00am–10:30am
N209-210

laser

F063: How to be Successful in Laser Joining
9:00am–10:30am
N227-228

management

F069: From Chaos to Control: Disciplined Margin-Protecting Processes
9:00am–10:30am
N225-226

marketing & sales

F080: Turning Your Website into Revenue: Smart Audits and Metrics That Matter
9:00am–10:30am
N223-224

smart fabrication

F091: AI Foundations for Smarter Manufacturing: Building the Data and AI Readiness Layer
9:00am–10:30am
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F103: Cultivating Accountable Leaders for High-Performance, Future-Ready Teams
9:00am–10:30am
N211-212

stamping

S010: Maximizing Progressive Die Performance During Production
9:30am–11:00am
S116

finishing

C11: See It, Touch It, Fix It - Identifying and Solving Finishing Defects
9:30am–11:00am
S115

finishing

C12: Powder Coating Basics - A Fundamental Understanding of a Powder Coating System
9:30am–11:00am
S114

finishing

C13: Processing Aluminum for Performance: Pretreatment, Anodizing, and Quality Control
10:00am–11:30am
S229

welding

W1: Foundations of Quality: Advanced Inspection Equipment and Reporting
10:00am–11:30am
S230

welding

W2: Welding Inspection Analytics: Turning Reports into Business Intelligence
11:00am–12:30pm
N219-220

automation / robotics

F002: Real ROI: Measuring Automation's Financial & Workforce Impact
11:00am–12:30pm
N221-222

automation / robotics

F011: AI For High-Mix, Low-Volume Workflows
11:00am–12:30pm
N205-206

forming & fabricating

F020: Roll Forming Basics and Justification
11:00am–12:30pm
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F028: Specialty Roll Forming Materials and Processes
11:00am–12:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F042: Competing in the New Regionalized Supply Chain
11:00am–12:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F053: Cutting Cost That Count: Uncovering Hidden Man-Hour and Production Savings
11:00am–12:30pm
N209-210

laser

F064: The Laser Advantage: Redefining The Future of Structural and Heavy Section Laser Processing
11:00am–12:30pm
N227-228

management

F070: Driving Commitment: The Art of Ownership and Empowerment
11:00am–12:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F081: Building The Intelligent Job Shop: AI- Driven Sales Strategy and High-Impact Marketing
11:00am–12:30pm
N223-224

smart fabrication

F092: Connected Shop Intelligence: From Digital Twins to Actionable
11:00am–12:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F104: Manufacturing Without Limits: Cultures That Inspire Innovation and Resilience
11:00am–12:30pm
N211-212

stamping

S011: The Effects of Automotive Lightweighting on the Design & Construction of Dies
11:00am–12:30pm
N213-214

stamping

S019: Mission-Ready Manufacturing: Advanced Turnkey Solutions for Defense Applications
1:00pm–2:30pm
S116

finishing

C21: Alternatives to Chemical Pretreatment: Exploring Blast and CO2 Spray Cleaning Methods
1:00pm–2:30pm
S115

finishing

C22: Beyond the Typical: Specialized Powder Coating Processes for Challenging Parts
1:00pm–2:30pm
S114

finishing

C23: Build Troubleshooting Know How to Optimize Performance, Maximize Profits and Delight Your Customers
1:00pm–2:30pm
N219-220

automation / robotics

F003: Roadmap to Robotics: Practical Steps to Automation Adoption
1:00pm–2:30pm
N205-206

forming & fabricating

F021: Roll Forming Tooling Setup and Trouble Shooting
1:00pm–2:30pm
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F029: Specialty Sheet Metal Processes
1:00pm–2:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F043: Building a Digital First Fabrication Business
1:00pm–2:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F054: The Resilient Intelligent Factory: Eliminating Downtime and Empowering the Connected Workforce
1:00pm–2:30pm
N209-210

laser

F065: What Fabricators Need to Know About Hand Held Laser Joining: Implementation and Qualification
1:00pm–2:30pm
N227-228

management

F071: Leading in the Next Era: AI-Driven Growth and Cultures That Inspire Discretionary Effort
1:00pm–2:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F082: Smart Manufacturing Marketing :Digital Personas to High-Impact Growth Strategies
1:00pm–2:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F105: Growing Emerging Leaders for the Modern Shop
1:00pm–2:30pm
N211-212

stamping

S012: Automatic In-Die Part Quality Monitoring & Tool Adjustments
1:00pm–2:30pm
N213-214

stamping

S020: Digital Integration of the Stamping and BiW Process Chains
1:00pm–2:30pm
S230

welding

W3: Transitioning to a Certified Welding Inspector: A Panel Discussion
1:00pm–4:30pm
N221-222

automation / robotics

WS01: 2026 Getting Started in Robotics Workshop: A Practical Guide for First-Time Automation
1:20pm–5:00pm
S224-226

welding

W14-2: Professional Program - Wednesday
2:00pm–3:30pm
S221

welding

W4: Why Surface Preparation Is Important and Reading and Understanding Specifications Standards For Soft Crafts!
2:00pm–3:00pm
S217

welding

W5: Best Practices for Welding Apprenticeships
3:00pm–4:30pm
S116

finishing

C31: Optimizing Powder Coating Selection, Efficiency, and Performance
3:00pm–4:30pm
S115

finishing

C32: Setting the Stage: Metal Cleaning Before Pretreatment
3:00pm–4:30pm
S114

finishing

C33: Next‑Generation Finishing Technologies: Tools for Faster, More Controlled Operations
3:00pm–4:30pm
N219-220

automation / robotics

F004: First Robotics Projects: How to Get it Right
3:00pm–4:30pm
N205-206

forming & fabricating

F022: Press Brake Automation Helps With Versatility and Labor Gaps
3:00pm–4:30pm
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F030: Press Brakes For Engineers
3:00pm–4:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F044: From Strategy to Sale: Increasing Fabrication Business Value and Exit Outcomes
3:00pm–4:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F055: Execution That Works: AI Guidance and Cost-Effective Inventory Strategies for Real Shops
3:00pm–4:30pm
N209-210

laser

F066: Getting Handheld Laser Joining Right in the Fab Shop: Best Practices From Setup to Process Control
3:00pm–4:30pm
N227-228

management

F072: Trust Is Earned on the Shop Floor—and Felt in the Market
3:00pm–4:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F083: Modern Industrial Marketing: Using AI to Boost Visibility and Turn Traffic Into Quotes
3:00pm–4:30pm
N223-224

smart fabrication

F094: AI & Knowledge Retention for Manufacturing Teams: Capturing Expertise & Supporting Skilled Workforce
3:00pm–4:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F106: Five Steps to Creating A Successful Career Pathing Program in Your Company
3:00pm–4:30pm
N211-212

stamping

S013: Sensors For Die Protection

Thursday, October 22

8:00am–12:00pm
S229

welding

W6: 50 Welding Solutions Every Welding Professional Should Know
8:00am–4:00pm
S231

welding

W7: Protecting Welded Systems: From Corrosion Mechanisms to Advanced Inspection Techniques Session
8:00am–5:00pm
S224-226

welding

W14-3: Professional Program - Thursday
8:30am–3:30pm
S221

welding

W8: AWS/Weld-Ed Educators Conference - FABTECH 2026: Automation in Welding Education
9:00am–10:30am
N219-220

automation / robotics

F005: Smarter Decisions with Real-Time Data
9:00am–10:30am
N221-222

automation / robotics

F012: From Collaborative Robotics to Autonomous AI-Driven Joining Technologies
9:00am–10:30am
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F023: Data Collection, High Frequency, and Post Welding Heat Treatment
9:00am–10:30am
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F031: Newly Engineered, Novel Coil Storage Systems: Hot Coils and Over the Road Coil Securement
9:00am–10:30am
N203-204

job shop operations

F045: From Insight to Impact: Using AI and Incentive Alignment to Unlock Hidden Throughput
9:00am–10:30am
N227-228

management

F073: From Firefighting to Problem-Solving: Using A3 to Develop Your People
9:00am–10:30am
N225-226

marketing & sales

F084: Human-First Marketing in the AI Era: Scaling Trust, Sales, and Engagement
9:00am–10:30am
N223-224

smart fabrication

F095: Building the Modern Digital Shop: Transform Legacy Shops into Digital Performers
9:00am–10:30am
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F107: Developing High-Performing Teams Under Pressure
9:00am–10:30am
N211-212

stamping

S014: A Novel Approach to Tool & Die Apprenticeship Programs
9:00am–10:30am
N213-214

stamping

S021: Engineering Safety into Your Operation and Process
9:30am–11:00am
S116

finishing

C41: Choose Your Own Adventure - Selecting the Right Chemistry for Your Pretreatment System
9:30am–11:00am
S115

finishing

C42: Specifying Hybrid Zinc Coatings: Hot-Dip Galvanizing + Thermal Spray Zinc
9:30am–11:00am
S114

finishing

C43: Liquid Finishing Essentials: Application Technologies and Equipment Innovations
10:00am–11:30am
S230

welding

W9: Inside AWS D17.1: A Focused Code Session
10:00am–11:00am
S217

welding

W10: Welding Workforce: Trends, Opportunites, and AWS Foundation Impact
11:00am–12:30pm
N219-220

automation / robotics

F006: From Zero to ROI: How Physical and Decision-Making AI Transform the Shop Floor
11:00am–12:30pm
N221-222

automation / robotics

F013: The Data Driven Factories: Enabling Decision-Making at Scale
11:00am–12:30pm
N205-206

forming & fabricating

F024: Machine Guarding
11:00am–12:30pm
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F032: Roll Forming and Industry 4.0
11:00am–12:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F046: The Executive Playbook for A High-Valuation Exit: What Buyers Want & How Leaders Prepare
11:00am–12:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F057: The Smart Shop Stack: QR Tools, Data Foundations & Agentic AI for Next-Level Manufacturing
11:00am–12:30pm
N227-228

management

F074: Driving Performance: From Organizational Audits to Long-Term Continuous Improvement
11:00am–12:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F085: Authentic Growth for Job Shops: Culture-Powered Content and Marketing that Matters
11:00am–12:30pm
N223-224

smart fabrication

F096: AI in the Fab Shop: From First Steps to Scalable Strategy
11:00am–12:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F108: Managing Problem Behaviors & Becoming the Influential Leader
11:00am–12:30pm
N211-212

stamping

S015: Strengthening Die Maintenance Programs
11:00am–12:30pm
N213-214

stamping

S022: Optimization of Your Stamping Process
11:00am–4:00pm
N209-210

laser

WS02: 2026 Lasers in Manufacturing Workshop
1:00pm–2:30pm
S116

finishing

C51: Batch vs. Automated Finishing Systems: Which is Right for You?
1:00pm–2:30pm
S115

finishing

C52: Reduce the Rework: Process Control and Preventive Strategies in Powder Coating
1:00pm–2:30pm
S114

finishing

C53: Optimizing Finishing Systems: Smarter Process, Flow, and Control
1:00pm–2:30pm
N219-220

automation / robotics

F007: Integrated Robotic Solutions: From Prototype Laser Automation to Heavy-Duty Plasma
1:00pm–2:30pm
N221-222

automation / robotics

F014: AI-Powered Shop Floor Intelligence: From Sensing to Safety and Quality Control
1:00pm–2:30pm
N205-206

forming & fabricating

F025: Requesting a Quote for Roll Forming 101: Let Us Help You
1:00pm–2:30pm
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F033: Smarter, Safer, More Profitable: The New Economics of Plasma Cutting
1:00pm–2:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F047: De-risking Business: Developing Teams & Systems that Make the Company Buyer-Ready
1:00pm–2:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F058: Predictive Workforce Management: Using Early Signals to Improve Safety & Reliability
1:00pm–2:30pm
N227-228

management

F075: Scaling Smart: Leadership Insights for Growth and People -Powered Transitions
1:00pm–2:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F086: Simplify, Amplify, Accelerate: Industrial Marketing Growth Strategies for the AI Era
1:00pm–2:30pm
N223-224

smart fabrication

F097: AI Solutions for Real World Shop Floor Problems
1:00pm–2:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F109: Growing Your Greatest Asset: People, Networks, and the future of Manufacturing
1:00pm–2:30pm
N211-212

stamping

S016: Humanoid Robotics For Stamping
2:00pm–3:30pm
S230

welding

W11: Simplifying AWS D1.1 Prequalified Procedures
3:00pm–4:30pm
S115

finishing

C62: Smarter Finishing Operations: Lower Energy, Lower Costs, Better Performance
3:00pm–4:30pm
S114

finishing

C63: Using AI to Build Process Intelligence in Powder Coating
3:00pm–4:30pm
N219-220

automation / robotics

F008: Heavy Manufacturing: Robotics For Extreme Applications
3:00pm–4:30pm
N221-222

automation / robotics

F015: AI & Industrial Competitiveness
3:00pm–4:30pm
N205-206

forming & fabricating

F026: Looking Differently at Bending
3:00pm–4:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F048: Smart Money Decisions in Fabrication: Capital Investments and Tax Strategy
3:00pm–4:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F059: The AI Edge: Winning More Work Through Better Quotes & Better Negotiations
3:00pm–4:30pm
N227-228

management

F076: Communication, Influence & Leadership Presence
3:00pm–4:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F087: Winning in the AI Era: Trusted Storytelling + Intelligent Industrial Marketing Growth Strategies for the AI Era
3:00pm–4:30pm
N223-224

smart fabrication

F098: IIOT, Data, & The Smart Factory Ecosystem: Real-Time Data for Fabricators
3:00pm–4:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F110: Make Culture Count: Leadership Approaches That Boost Productivity and Retention
3:00pm–4:30pm
N211-212

stamping

S017: Physical AI & Robotics in the Press Shop: A Realistic Framework for Automation in Metalstamping
3:00pm–4:30pm
S210

welding

W12: Breaking the Mold: Women in Welding

Friday, October 23

8:00am–3:00pm
S221

welding

W13: Practical Welding Metallurgy
8:00am–12:00pm
S224-226

welding

W14-4: Professional Program - Friday
9:00am–10:30am
N219-220

automation / robotics

F009: Empowering The Workforce with Automation
9:00am–10:30am
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F035: Right Process, Right Tool: Modern Cutting Selection Meets Portable Machining Innovation
9:00am–10:30am
N203-204

job shop operations

F049: ERP That Actually Works: Executive Roadmaps for Data, AI & Technology Decisions
9:00am–10:30am
N201-202

job shop production

F060: Stop Patching, Start Solving : How to Address System Failures Before Scaling or Automating
9:00am–10:30am
N227-228

management

F077: Next-Gen Manufacturing: Integrating Technology and AI for Superior Performance
9:00am–10:30am
N225-226

marketing & sales

F088: When Made in America Stops Selling: How to Build a Stronger Job Shop Brand
9:00am–10:30am
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F111: Workforce Reality Check: Bridging Labor Gaps with Strategic Development and Intelligent Technologies
9:30am–11:00am
S116

finishing

C71: In Their Own Words: Finishing Job Shop Owners Share ERP Experiences
9:30am–11:00am
S115

finishing

C72: Performance and Aesthetics in Powder Coatings: From Corrosion Resistance to Funky Finishes
9:30am–11:00am
S114

finishing

C73: Modernizing the Finishing Line: Advanced Curing Methods and Spray-Free Alternatives
11:00am–12:30pm
N219-220

automation / robotics

F016: Adaptive Robotic Welding for High-Variation Manufacturing: Vision-Guided Automation Without Extensive Tooling
11:00am–12:30pm
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F036: Laser Seam Tracking and Seam Finding
11:00am–12:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F050: Leading Real Transformation: Why Incremental Improvements Fail & Strategic Change Wins
11:00am–12:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F061: Efficiency on the Shop Floor: Training Smarter and Producing Better Parts
11:00am–12:30pm
N209-210

laser

F067: Next-Generation Adaptive Laser Joining for Body -In -White: Adaptation, Monitoring and Performance
11:00am–12:30pm
N227-228

management

F078: Advancing Manufacturing Excellence: Collaborative Technologies for supply Chain and Competitive Success
11:00am–12:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F089: Don't Get Caught Off Guard: Simple Media and Messaging Skills for Busy Shop Owners
11:00am–12:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F112: Building the Future Workforce: Skills, Pipeline & Knowledge Transfer
1:00pm–2:30pm
N207-208

forming & fabricating

F037: An Oxyfuel Flame Can Be Used for More Than Just Cutting
1:00pm–2:30pm
N203-204

job shop operations

F051: Innovative Manufacturers: Patents and Other Intellectual Property
1:00pm–2:30pm
N201-202

job shop production

F062: Execution Wins: How Influence and Shop-Floor Collaboration Drive Advantage
1:00pm–2:30pm
N209-210

laser

F068: Advanced Laser Manufacturing Applications
1:00pm–2:30pm
N227-228

management

F079: Doing Less, Scaling More: Breaking the Bottlenecks to Growth
1:00pm–2:30pm
N225-226

marketing & sales

F090: Human-Centered Marketing in the AI Era: Building Trust and Visibility for Job shops
1:00pm–2:30pm
N223-224

smart fabrication

F101: AI-Driven Throughput & Operational Predictability: Transform Chaos into Clarity
1:00pm–2:30pm
N229-230

workforce & talent development

F113: From Shop Floor Expert to Effective Supervisor