Two packed days in Kempton, PA. Every session is designed to send you home with something you can act on.
Day 1 Sep 11 — Workshops
Day 2 Sep 12 — Fabricator Olympics
📍 Kempton, PA
Day One
Business Growth Workshops
Thursday, September 11, 2026 · Kempton, PA
⏱ Full Day
🎓 4 Workshops
🤝 Roundtables
❓ Live Q&A
🎥 Recorded
7:30
AM
Arrival
Doors Open & Check-In
Pick up your badge, grab a seat, and connect with fellow shop owners before the day kicks off. Coffee and water available on-site.
30 min
8:00
AM
Opening Keynote
Welcome & State of the Welding Business
We open the summit with a candid look at where the industry is headed, the biggest challenges shop owners face right now, and what separates the shops that thrive from the ones that grind themselves to nothing.
Kevin Johnson — Welding Business Owners Podcast
45 min
8:45
AM
Workshop 1
Pricing for Profit
Stop undercharging. This session digs into how to build a pricing model that protects your margins, how to handle customer pushback with confidence, and why most shop owners leave thousands on the table every month.
Speaker TBA
75 min
10:00
AM
Break
Short Break
Stretch, connect with other attendees, and get ready for the next session.
15 min
10:15
AM
Workshop 2
Building & Keeping Your Team
The labor shortage is real — but the shops that struggle most are the ones without a system. Learn how to attract skilled welders, what it actually takes to retain them, and how to build a culture people don't want to leave.
Josh Huite — Tradesman Experience & Blue Collar Insiders
75 min
11:30
AM
Peer Roundtable
Morning Roundtable Discussion
Small group discussions led by facilitators. Bring your real challenges to the table — pricing, hiring, cash flow, growth — and work through them with peers who get it. In-Person ticket holders only.
30 min
12:00
PM
Lunch Break
Lunch On Your Own
A full hour to grab food, explore the area, and keep the conversations going. Local restaurant recommendations will be provided at check-in.
60 min
1:00
PM
Workshop 3
Marketing Your Shop
Most shop owners rely on word of mouth and hope. This session covers practical, low-budget marketing that actually brings in better customers — referral systems, social media that works for fabricators, and how to position your shop so price shoppers stop calling.
Greg Giroux — TruPros & Blue Collar Insiders
75 min
2:15
PM
Break
Short Break
Recharge before the final workshop of the day.
15 min
2:30
PM
Workshop 4
Running a Tighter Shop
Time leaks, rework, and shop floor chaos are profit killers. Walk through systems that help you manage jobs, track costs, and get more done with the same team — without running yourself into the ground.
Speaker TBA
75 min
3:45
PM
Peer Roundtable
Afternoon Roundtable & Open Q&A
Close out Day 1 with an open floor — ask the speakers anything, dig deeper into the day's topics, and swap info with other attendees. In-Person ticket holders only.
45 min
4:30
PM
Closing
Day 1 Wrap-Up & What to Expect Tomorrow
Key takeaways from the day, action items to implement, and a preview of the Fabricator Olympics on Day 2. Stick around — the networking doesn't stop here.
30 min
5:00
PM
Networking
Evening Networking (Informal)
No agenda, no name tags required. Just good people in the industry connecting over shared experiences. Stick around as long as you like.
Open end
Day Two
Fabricator Olympics
Friday, September 12, 2026 · Kempton, PA
🏆 Competition
👁 Spectator Seating
💰 Cash Prizes
🤝 Networking
7:30
AM
Arrival
Competitor & Spectator Check-In
Competitors check in, get their materials, and review the rules. Spectators grab seats and get oriented. The energy starts here.
60 min
8:30
AM
Opening
Welcome & Competition Rules
Official welcome to the Fabricator Olympics. Judges are introduced, rules are reviewed, and the competition format is explained. Let's get after it.
30 min
9:00
AM
Round 1
Competition Begins — Round 1
Competitors face their first timed fabrication challenge. Judged on speed, precision, technique, and finished quality. Spectators watch live from designated seating areas.
~90 min
10:30
AM
Break
Judges Review & Short Break
Judges score Round 1 submissions. Attendees network and explore while scores are tallied.
30 min
11:00
AM
Round 2
Competition — Round 2
The second challenge raises the stakes. Competitors must apply a new set of skills under time pressure. The crowd picks up as the leaderboard takes shape.
~90 min
12:30
PM
Lunch Break
Lunch On Your Own
Break for lunch while judges score Round 2. Local restaurant recommendations available at the registration desk.
60 min
1:30
PM
Finals
Championship Round — Finals
The top competitors from Rounds 1 and 2 face off in the final challenge. This is where it gets decided. Highest-energy session of the weekend — don't miss it.
~90 min
3:00
PM
Break
Final Judging
Judges deliberate and finalize scores while attendees connect and decompress. Results announced shortly after.
30 min
3:30
PM
Awards
Awards Ceremony & Prize Presentation
Winners are announced and recognized on stage. Cash prizes awarded. A moment to celebrate the skill, grit, and craftsmanship that makes this industry great.
45 min
4:15
PM
Closing
Closing Remarks & Send-Off
Thank you for being part of the first-ever Welding Business Owners Summit. See you next year.
15 min
4:30
PM
Networking
Post-Event Networking
The official schedule ends here, but the connections don't. Stick around, swap contacts, and celebrate a great two days with the best people in the industry.
Open end
READY TO LOCK IN YOUR SPOT?
September 11–12 · Kempton, PA · Limited seats available