October 21 – 23, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Conference

FABTECH offers a comprehensive conference focused on advancing careers and business operations. Produced by the industry’s leading associations, the program explores the latest in metal fabrication technologies—from AI and smart manufacturing to automation and robotics.

Overview

The Must-Attend Conference

FABTECH delivers a powerhouse lineup of industry experts sharing insights and information you need to solve today’s manufacturing challenges.

With 180+ expert-led sessions and 12 educational tracks to choose from, you can build an agenda to meet your needs.

Register Now

Learn More About The Conference

See Who's Speaking Advisors & Management Continuing Education Credits

Sessions and Workshops

Full Schedule

sessions

No sessions match your filters.

Tuesday, October 20

12:00pm–5:00pm
S224-226

welding

W14-1: Professional Program - Tuesday

Wednesday, October 21

8:00am–5:00pm
S224-226

welding

W14-2: Professional Program - Wednesday
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
9:00am–10:30am
N213-214

stamping

S018: What's in a Fluid - Picking the Best Metalworking Fluid for Your Process
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
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

Pricing & Registration

	Price
Individual Sessions	$220
Workshops	$600
Full Conference (5-10 Sessions)	$900

	Price
1 Session	$125
2 Sessions	$225
3 Sessions	$300
4-8 Sessions	$450

	Price
Weld-Ed Conference	$75
One-Hour Sessions	FREE
90-Minute Sessions	$200
Half-Day Sessions	$550
Full-Day Sessions	$600
Professional Program	$425

Registration

All Access Rates

Early-Bird Rate (Before Sept. 11)

$1200

Regular Rate

$1300

Includes: Full access to all conference sessions (FABTECH, AWS, IFCA), Bistro lunch tickets, Biergarten drink tickets, exclusive merch, and so much more!