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Two Powerhouse ABMA Events, One Unmissable Week in Pittsburgh

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The ABMA is headed to Pittsburgh this October 12-15, 2026 for a powerhouse week of leadership development, networking, and industry innovation. We are thrilled to bring you two signature events hosted back-to-back at the same location.

Whether you are looking to cultivate the next generation of leadership or connect with women and allies shaping our industry, this week offers unprecedented opportunities. Best of all? The schedules align, giving attendees a unique opportunity to maximize their travel and experience both events! Read on to learn more about each event and make sure to mark your calendars.

Registration is officially open! ABMA members have the option of registering for the BILT Forum, the WIBI Symposium, or for both at a discounted rate.

If you or a member of your team does not have an ABMA Member profile that is needed for registration, please contact ABMA's Marketing and Membership Coordinator, Erin Gehringer at [email protected].

Click here to register.

Who Should Attend: Women and allies across technical, industrial, and leadership fields within the boiler industry.

Special Partnership Highlight: Robinson Fan’s She Builds Event

We are incredibly proud to announce that this year’s WIBI Symposium is partnering with ABMA Member, Robinson Fan’s She Builds Event! WIBI attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to attend the She Builds event directly, participating in hands-on activities interactive experiences, collaborative sessions, and facility tours that celebrate women and allies in manufacturing and engineering.

Click here to register for She Builds.

BILT Forum + WIBI Symposium: WHERE THE EVENTS MEET

Afternoon Transition: Wednesday, October 13

We have strategically coordinated our schedules to bring our community together! On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 13, the conclusion of the BILT Forum will come together with the kickoff of the WIBI Symposium. This transition allows attendees of both events to connect and network in Pittsburgh, multiplying your professional ABMA connections without requiring extra travel.

Tim Hines is a global keynote speaker, business coach, author, podcaster, and four-time founder who strives to help professionals accelerate their growth by guiding them to be more collaborative, innovative, and influential. Tim has worked with top organizations—including Accor, Air France, IMEX, Northstar Media, Ticketmaster, and the CIA—helping them navigate change and drive success by promoting the power of an entrepreneurial mindset. He’s the author of the book, The Marketing Starter: How an Entrepreneurial Spirit Will Make You a More Savvy Marketer and he also hosts The Marketing Starter Podcast. Tim served on the Community Advisory Board for the Future Founders Foundation helping underserved youth explore entrepreneurship and is a graduate of the Startup Leadership Program. Tim also taught marketing and entrepreneurship classes with the University of Illinois Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies program.

In his session, The Attention Algorithm: How to Win Attendee Hearts and Minds in a Distracted World, Tim will share on how in an era of shrinking attention spans and endless digital noise, capturing audience interest isn’t enough—you have to keep it. This session unpacks the science and strategy behind attention marketing, offering event marketers a playbook for creating scroll-stopping content, emotionally resonant messaging, and experiential campaigns that transform fleeting moments into meaningful engagement. Learn how to map the modern buyer’s mindset, craft irresistible hooks, and harness behavioral insights to drive conversions and long-term loyalty. Attendees will leave with actionable tactics to elevate their brand presence and build real connections in the chaos.

Julia Keen is a Professor of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science at Kansas State University holding the Bob and Betty Tointon Engineering endowed chair.  She also owns her own consulting company, Keen Designs, PA.  Her specific areas of interest include HVAC design, energy codes, high-performance building design, HVAC education, and the advancement of women in the building design and construction industry.

In her session, Advocacy-Accelerating Professional Success, Julia will touch on how strong performance is essential to professional success—but it’s not always enough. This session explores how effective advocacy can increase visibility, strengthen professional influence, and create opportunities for both yourself and others. Attendees will learn how to recognize different forms of advocacy, identify personal and cultural barriers, and develop practical strategies for becoming a more effective advocate. The session will conclude with an individual action plan and key takeaways participants can apply to their own careers and organizations.

Boiler Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (BILT) Forum

(Formerly known as the Emerging Leaders Forum)

Dates: October 12 – 13, 2026

Empowering the Next Generation of Boiler Leaders

The BILT initiative is ABMA’s premier program designed to address the unique needs of up-and-coming talent within our member companies. Rooted in a vision for growth, the BILT Forum offers a dedicated space for emerging professionals to enhance their industry knowledge, develop essential leadership skills, and expand their professional networks. Don’t miss this long-term commitment to fostering the future leadership of the boiler industry! Expect dynamic professional development sessions, interactive workshops, and high-value networking designed to ignite career growth and propel the next generation of boiler industry leaders forward.

Who Should Attend: Up-and-coming talent, rising professionals, and future executives within ABMA member companies.

We kicked things off Wednesday with registration and check-in, where attendees picked up their swag bags, sponsored by DUNGS Combustion Controls, extra WIBI gear, amazing bag inserts sponsored by E-Tech, Fireye, and Robinson Fans, and lanyards sponsored by Groupe Simoneau.

Attendees also gained access to our private Wi-Fi network, sponsored by BoilerSource, keeping everyone connected as they shared moments and inspiration from this historic event!

The pre-conference session, sponsored by NBBI, opened the event with “NBIC Part 2 Inspection Code & Changes,” presented by Greg Goossens (Director of Jurisdictional Affairs, NBBI) and Howard Berny (Chief Boiler Inspector, State of Minnesota). The pair offered valuable updates on NBIC Part 2, exploring inspection codes, compliance changes, and safety practices essential to plant operations.

That afternoon, attendees enjoyed a guided tour of the Ever-Green Saint Paul District Energy Plant, gaining insight into sustainable energy practices and modern district energy systems. The behind-the-scenes look at this innovative facility showcased how the industry continues to evolve toward greater efficiency and environmental responsibility.

The evening concluded with the Fireside Chat & Dessert Social, sponsored by Hemingway Chimney. Moderated by Nancy Simoneau, ABMA Chair and President of Groupe Simoneau, the discussion featured Catherine Tojaga, President of CT Mechanical & Hemingway Chimney. Together, they shared candid stories of leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers as women leading in technical and industrial fields.

Thursday began bright and early with a technical tour of the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Central Utility Plant (CUP), sponsored by Campbell-Sevey, Preferred Utilities, and RENTECH Boiler. Attendees explored how advanced boiler operations power hospital infrastructure and support critical energy efficiency initiatives, and got a first-hand look at boiler room products supplied by Preferred Utilities and Rentech.

The Symposium officially opened Thursday morning with our Welcome & Introductions, followed by the Opening Keynote – “Empowered Leadership: Ignite Your Leadership Potential” presented by Julie Jones, Chief Encouragement Officer of Today’s Professionals Consulting & Development, and sponsored by Vector Systems.

Julie shared her AIM methodology for developing leadership presence, purpose, and personal mastery. Attendees learned how to strengthen their leadership identity, improve communication through the Process Communication Model (PCM), and lead with confidence and authenticity, no matter their title.

Immediately following her keynote, Julie led an interactive roundtable workshop, “Master the Art of Connection,” sponsored by Cleaver-Brooks. Participants explored how connection is the true currency of leadership, diving into strategies for trust-building, collaboration, and communication across diverse personality styles.

Over lunch, sponsored by Victory Energy, attendees continued networking before transitioning into a full afternoon of sessions.

Session 2 – Business & Personal P&Ls, Balance Sheets, and KPIs: Presented by Ruth King, the Profit & Wealth Guru and Founder of Financially Fit Business, sponsored by RF MacDonald, this session demystified financials and gave attendees practical tools to improve profitability and decision-making.

Session 3 – Boiler Hazards, Maintenance, & Safety: Led by Howard Berny, Chief Boiler Inspector for the State of Minnesota, and sponsored by Honeywell, this session emphasized practical safety and maintenance practices to enhance reliability and compliance.

The Networking Break & Hospitality Café, sponsored by Industrial Steam, Superior Boiler, and Weishaupt, provided the perfect chance to refuel and connect before diving into innovation-focused discussions.

Session 4 – Innovate & Elevate: Boosting Workplace Productivity & Creativity with AI: Colleen Keyworth, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Online Access Inc., explored how emerging digital tools and artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency, marketing, and communication across teams. Sponsored by Delval Equipment

Session 5 – Positive Communication Isn’t a Soft Skill—It’s a Leadership Multiplier: Paule Genest, Director of Sales & ESG, Water & Energy at TGWT – The Tannin Guys, shared how positive communication builds trust, drives performance, and strengthens leadership. Sponsored by TGWT, this session reinforced that clear, compassionate communication is a measurable business advantage.

Session 6 – Fireside Chat: Igniting Confidence: Moderated by Tricia Staible, President of Robinson Fans, and featuring Jackie Hodes (Founder, J2Advisors) and Melissa Raphan (Partner, Dorsey), this discussion, sponsored by Premier Meetings, explored negotiation, self-advocacy, and building confidence in the workplace.

The evening wrapped up with a lively Welcome Networking Reception, sponsored by Nationwide Boiler, where attendees celebrated the day’s learning and connections over cocktails and conversation.

Friday morning began bright and early with the DUNGS Manufacturing Facility Tour in Blaine, MN. Attendees enjoyed breakfast and a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge combustion control innovation. Thank you to DUNGS Combustion Controls for hosting this incredible experience and showcasing the company’s world-class technology.

The Symposium concluded with the Closing Luncheon, Leadership Panel – “Empowering Excellence: Insights from Top Industry Leaders,” sponsored by Northern Blower.

Moderated by Shaunica Jayson, ABMA’s Vice President of Membership & Marketing, the panel featured Jessica Cooper (SVP Inspection, HSB), Madiha El Mehelmy Kotb (Past President, ASME), Heather Kozak (General Manager, Northern Blower), and Scott Schindlbeck (President & CEO, Karl Dungs).

The panelists shared their diverse experiences, leadership philosophies, and lessons learned throughout their careers, leaving attendees motivated to lead with purpose and authenticity.

The WIBI Trailblazer Award honored pioneering women who have broken barriers and transformed the industry. Recipients included Nancy Stephenson, the first female ABMA Board Member, and Nancy Simoneau, ABMA Chair, President & CEO of Groupe Simoneau, and WIBI Co-Founder.

The WIBI Excellence Award recognized exceptional volunteer commitment and dedication to advancing WIBI and the ABMA. Jennifer Guerrero-Ferreira of Dungs Combustion Controls and Dustin Divinia, President & CEO of Vector Systems, were honored for their extraordinary contributions and leadership.

These awards mark the beginning of a new ABMA tradition, honoring the trailblazers, allies, and rising leaders whose impact drives the WIBI community forward.

The 2025 WIBI Symposium was more than a meeting, it was the beginning of a movement! Together, we built connections, elevated voices, and celebrated the incredible women shaping the future of the boiler industry.

We can’t wait to continue this momentum and look forward to seeing everyone at the next WIBI Symposium!