By SHAUNICA JAYSON, Vice Pesident, American Boiler Manufacturers Association

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 those industry women and allies who are shaping our future, this week will offer unprecedented opportunities. Best of all? The schedules align, giving attendees a unique opportunity to maximize their travel to Pittsburgh and to experience both events! 

Boiler Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (BILT) Forum

Dates: October 12 – 13, 2026

Empowering the Next Generation of Boiler Leaders

The BILT initiative (formerly the Emerging Leaders Forum) 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.

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, Oct. 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.

Women In the Boiler Industry (WIBI) Symposium

Dates: October 13 – 15, 2026

Building Connections, Elevating Voices, Celebrating Excellence

Following the momentum of our historic, sold-out inaugural gathering, the WIBI Symposium returns to bring together women and allies for an incredible experience focused on learning, connection, and empowerment. Expect inspiring technical and business sessions, dynamic keynote speakers, meaningful roundtable workshops, and exceptional networking designed to drive the WIBI movement forward.

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

Overall, the BILT Forum will take place Oct. 12-13. The WIBI Symposium Oct. 13-14, and optional 'She Builds' event at Robinson Fans follows on Oct. 15.

Each event will have an off-site activity with BILT Forum having an evening networking activity at a local Duckpin bowling alley and WIBI Symposium taking the Duquesne Incline up to the top of Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington for amazing views and a networking reception and fireside chat.

At press time, more than half of the program was confirmed with the remainder to be finalized by late July. Confirmed speakers include:

Dr. Rick Marks – Emotional Intelligence (BILT Forum Keynote);

Dr. Julia Keen (Two Presentations) – Self-Advocacy (BILT Forum & WIBI Symposium Joint Keynote) & Building Confidence (WIBI Symposium Presentation);

Tim Hines – (BILT Forum & WIBI Symposium Joint Keynote) Attention Algorithm;

Karin Lund – Manufacturing Career Retrospective & Inspiration (WIBI Symposium Keynote);

To facilitate interaction, we will have leadership and peer panels throughout the entire program, along with a boiler innovation presentation from ABMA technical consultant Kevin Day.

Speaker topics include: Leading with emotional intelligence; Understanding workforce trends; Building confidence and self-advocation; and Problem solving through uncertainty; Communication that drives results, creating high performing teams.