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NGA Glass Fabricator (GFAB) Conference

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| Radisson Blu Hotel - Chicago, IL
NGA Glass Fabricator Conference. June 14-17 in Chicago. Register Now.

Register Now for GFAB

We're bringing together the best of NGA Glass Conference and Glass Processing Automation Days (GPAD)—and launching something completely new: The NGA Glass Fabricator Conference (GFAB). This conference is designed to address real-time challenges for every role in your fabrication business, from the C-suite to the production floor.

THE MUST-ATTEND FABRICATOR EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA

Where glass fabricators...

  • Sharpen strategy
  • Boost profitability
  • Drive the industry forward
  • Level up on the plant floor 

3 EDUCATION TRACKS. 1 POWERFUL EVENT.

 GFAB will feature three elements to address the key needs of different fabrication personnel:

  • Executive Track - Strategic sessions for decision makers, including top trends in glass, insights from design leaders, need-to-know market updates, technology and AI in the glass factory, and more.
  • NGA Glass Conference Track – All the technical depth you love from NGA Glass Conference: committees, task groups, advocacy, and expert-led discussions
  • GFAB Workshop Track: Quality Control in Glass Tempering – Hands-on learning at Skyline Architectural Glass for leaders on your production team, covering quality control, glass tempering essentials, ROI considerations for the plant and more. GFAB will also complement the newly released MyGlassFAB™ online education and training platform with in-person discussion and networking.

Bonus: Every Executive Track registration includes a FREE Workshop Track ticket for a team member!

Schedule at a Glance

NGA Glass Fabricator Conference (GFAB) · June 14–17, 2026 · Chicago, IL

What's Included With Your Registration?

Compare registration types to find the right fit for your role and your team.

 
For Decision Makers
Executive Track 
(All-Access)
For Technical Leaders
Glass Conference Track
For Production Teams
GFAB Workshop Track
Sessions & Programming
Executive Track sessions Mon Strategic sessions on markets, design, AI, M&A, and more
NGA Glass Conference sessions Tue–Wed Committees, task groups, advocacy & expert discussions
GFAB Workshop: Quality Control in Glass Tempering Tue Hands-on at Skyline Architectural Glass · Separate registrationFREE ticket for a team member
Networking & Social Events
Welcome Reception Sun
Architectural Boat Tour of Chicago Mon
Rooftop Reception Tue Open to all registrants
NGA Volunteer Awards Dinner Tue Open to all registrants
Fun Run/Walk Wed
Hands-On Experiences
Skyline Architectural Glass Facility Tour Tue See projects come to life · Open to all registrants
GFAB Lab Mon–Tue Interactive networking zone · Competitions, prizes & new tech on display

Glass Conference Track is available as a stand-alone registration or is included with Executive Track registration. Workshop Track registrants attend Tuesday only.

Event Information

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Radisson Blu Hotel
221 N Columbus Dr
Chicago, IL 60601

Event Registration

Early Bird *
Regular
Onsite
Member Fabricator Executive Track
$795
$995
Member Supplier Executive Track
$1,295
$1,495
Member NGA Glass Conference Track
$695
$795
Member Workshop Track
$245
$345
Non-Member Fabricator Executive Track
$945
$1,145
Non-Member Supplier Executive Track
$1,545
$1,745
Non-Member NGA Glass Conference Track
$845
$945
Non-Member Workshop Track
$295
$395

Full Schedule (Subject to Change)

Sunday, June 14, 2026
5:30 – 7:00 PM
🥂 Welcome Reception
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel
Monday, June 15, 2026
8:30 – 9:15 AM
🤝 GFAB Lab Tabletop Networking
9:15 – 9:30 AM
Welcome & Introductions
9:35 – 9:40 AM
Take 5 Cyncly
9:45 AM
Intro Keynote Introduction · Cardinal Glass
9:45 – 10:30 AM
What's Coming for the Construction Market?
Richard Branch, Chief Economist · Free Agent Economist
Richard Branch

Leveraging his accomplishments as chief economist at Dodge Construction Network, Richard Branch brings nearly three decades of economic expertise to help industry leaders understand where construction markets are headed—and why it matters. As 2026 unfolds, a clear K-shaped divide is emerging across construction sectors. This session explores where opportunities are forming, what’s driving the split and how evolving market dynamics will product demand.

10:35 – 10:40 AM
Take 5 glasstec
10:45 – 11:15 AM
Opportunities for the Interior
Cheryl Durst, Hon. FIIDA, EVP & CEO · International Interior Design Association
👤

Details coming soon.

Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, President & CEO · National Glass Association
Lakisha A. Woods

Details coming soon.

11:20 – 11:25 AM
Take 5 TSS
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Case Studies in Glass
Mark Toth, National Sales Director · Skyline Design
👤

Details coming soon.

Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, Vice President · Amrize
👤

Details coming soon.

12:00 – 12:05 PM
Take 5 A+W
12:05 – 1:00 PM
🍽️ Lunch & GFAB Lab Networking
1:00 – 1:05 PM
Welcome Back
1:10 – 1:35 PM
AI in Glass Fabrication
Elton Boocock, AI Strategist, SaaS Innovator, Champion of Digital Transformation in Traditional Industries
Elton Boocock

In this interactive session, Elton Boocock with thinkivity AI will explore what AI will mean to glass fabrication, taking stock of where we are now and the likely timelines. Through real world examples, he will show how we can benefit from introducing simple AI tools into our daily work to gain a competitive advantage and not get left behind. Afterwards, he will chair a panel of fabricators to uncover the concerns, opportunities and challenges, with plenty to take away and put to use.

1:35 – 1:55 PM
Smart Factory Roundtable
Facilitated by Elton Boocock
Featuring Guide Wheel and additional sponsors (TBC)
2:00 – 2:05 PM
Take 5 IGE Solutions
2:10 – 2:50 PM
Update on M&A Market in Glass Fabrication
Scott Mashuda, Founding Partner & CEO · REAG
Scott Mashuda

Details coming soon.

2:55 – 3:25 PM
🤝 Networking Break & GFAB Lab
3:30 – 3:35 PM
Welcome Back
3:40 – 3:45 PM
Take 5 LiteSentry / Soft Solution
3:45 – 4:30 PM
Keynote: Kim Lear
Kim Lear, Researcher, Writer & Corporate Speaker
👤

Kim Lear is a researcher, published writer, and corporate speaker. She is known for her ability to use a mix of data, storytelling, humor, and actionable takeaways to discuss the trends that most impact the bottom line of organizations.

4:30 PM
Closing Remarks
4:30 – 5:00 PM
🤝 Networking & GFAB Lab
5:30 – 7:30 PM
⛵ Chicago Architectural Boat Tour
Sponsored by Vitro Architectural Glass
Included with Executive Track registration
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
7:30 – 8:30 AM
☕ Networking Breakfast
Visit GFAB Lab tabletops during meals and breaks
8:30 – 11:30 AM
NGA Fabricating Committee and Presentations
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
🍽️ Networking Lunch
Visit GFAB Lab tabletops during meals and breaks
Innovation Presentations
Sponsor DFI – Diamon-Fusion International
Sponsor Salem Fabrication Technologies
Sponsor LPKF
Sponsor Matodi
12:30 – 2:00 PM
NGA Advocacy Committee
2:30 PM
🚌 Board bus for facility tour
3:00 – 3:45 PM
🏭 Tour: Skyline Architectural Glass Facility
3:00 – 5:00 PM
🥂 Reception at Skyline Architectural Glass
5:30 PM
🚌 Board bus · Return to Radisson Blu
7:00 – 9:30 PM
🍽️ NGA Volunteer Awards Dinner
Radisson Blu
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
7:00 – 8:00 AM
🏃 Fun Run/Walk
8:00 – 9:00 AM
☕ Working Breakfast with Presentation
9:00 – 11:30 AM
NGA Fabricating Committee and Presentations, continued
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
🍽️ Working Lunch with Presentation
12:30 – 1:30 PM
NGA Forming Committee and Presentations
3:15 – 4:30 PM
Fabricator Workshop
TrueNorth Collective
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 · Skyline Architectural Glass
Workshop Sponsors
Sponsor LiteSentry · Softsolution · Strainoptics
Sponsor Skyline Architectural Glass
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Arrival at Skyline & Welcome
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Session 1: Quality and Training in Tempering
Classroom session
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 – 11:45 AM
🛠️ Round Robin #1: Addressing Roller Wave
Station 1 · Tempering Line, operator end — Common tempering issues from the operator's perspective
Station 2 · Tempering Line, finished end — Automated roller wave measurement with Osprey scanner
Station 3 · Manual Room — Manual roller wave measurements
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
🍽️ Break & Box Lunch
12:45 – 2:15 PM
🛠️ Round Robin #2: Common QC Issues — Bow, Warp & Breakage
Station 4 · GASP Measurements
Station 5 · Bow Measurements
Station 6 · Cullet Counting
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Break
2:30 – 3:00 PM
🏭 Skyline Architectural Glass Facility Tour
3:00 – 5:00 PM
🥂 Rooftop Reception
Open to all registrants · Join when your tour group finishes
7:00 – 9:30 PM
🍽️ NGA Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Radisson Blu
Image
exterior of the Radisson Blu in Chicago

Book Your Stay

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel

221 N. Columbus Drive

Chicago, IL

 

NGA Group Rate: $299/night

Rate guaranteed until Monday, May 25, 2026. 

Book Now

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