100 Cranberry Woods Drive

Cranberry Township, PA 16066 USA

Phone: +1 724-772-3700

Hotel Website

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.

Dr. Julia Keen, P.E., PhD, ASHRAE Fellow, HBDP

Professor of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science at Kansas State University | Owner, Keen Designs

Advocacy - Accelerating Professional Success

Sponsored by: Cleaver-Brooks & DUNGS

Equipping rising leaders and professionals across both communities with proven techniques to champion their value and navigate key career milestones

Tim Hines

Global Keynote Speaker | Business Coach | Author | Podcaster | Four-Time Founder

The Attention Algorithm

Sponsored by: Cleaver-Brooks & DUNGS

Unlocking how to cut through modern noise, capture audience attention, and communicate message-driven value in industrial leadership.

Nancy Simoneau, Bryan O'Toole, & Paul Ingham

American Board of Manufacturers Association Leadership

Empowering Excellence: Insights from Top Industry Leaders

Sponsored by: Rentech

A candid conversation with industry executives exploring executive perspectives on career development, organizational culture, and preparing teams for the future. Industry leaders share what they value most in their teams, how they foster effective collaboration, and the essential qualities that drive long-term organizational success.

FEATURED BOILER ROOM TOURS

Exclusive Technical Tour: UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex

Sponsored by: Bryan Boilers & Fireye

Attendees of both the BILT Forum and WIBI Symposium will have the unique opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art mechanical room at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex—the primary practice and training facility for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and a world-class UPMC Sports Medicine complex.

Equipment Provided by Combustion Service & Equipment Co. (CS&E).

Equipment & Mechanical Highlights:

• (3) Bryan Steam CLM300 Hot Water Boilers
• Equipped with Power Flame Burners and Auburn Induced Draft Fans
• Boilers are piped in a specialized primary-secondary configuration designed to maintain precise flow rates to both the boilers and the entire athletic facility.
• Technical guides will be on-site to lead attendees through the mechanical space and answer questions about system design, performance, and maintenance.

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!