GFA Fall 2026 Meeting
September 15-17, 2026
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & SpaLas Vegas, Nevada
Attending the GFA’s semi-annual meetings is one of the most valuable benefits of membership. Members have the opportunity to connect with leading fabricators and suppliers, learn from industry experts, exchange ideas, solve challenges, and build lasting professional relationships. Highlights include presentations by Mike Robbins and Meridith Elliott Powell, the Supplier Expo, member presentations, and interactive discussion forums. Whether you are a longtime attendee or considering your first GFA meeting, we hope you will join us for another outstanding event.
Early Bird Registration Deadline: August 1, 2026
Registration Deadline: August 14, 2026
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
High-performing teams need more than talent and strategy to thrive—they need trust, authenticity, and genuine connection.
Drawing on 25 years partnering with a diverse group of companies across the country, as well as lessons from his pro baseball career, Mike Robbins reveals how to build a team culture where people can speak up, engage fully, and perform at their best.
Through inspiring stories, practical tools, and real-world examples, this program helps leaders break down silos, strengthen relationships, and unlock the collective potential that drives sustained success.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
These are unprecedented times! A marketplace where disruption is happening on steroids. One where there is more change building outside of your organization than in it. And a relentless pace of uncertainty that can radically impact your ability to grow your organization and keep your team motivated.
The only guarantee you have is this: more change is coming. And if you’re not prepared — if you don’t have a plan — then research proves this level of uncertainty will negatively impact your ability to drive innovation, attract top talent and achieve bottom-line results.
While uncertainty can seem daunting, the truth is uncertainty has an upside — it always has an upside. In fact, it can be your greatest asset to thrive, grow and turn disruption into opportunity. But you need a plan, a strategy, and the research that shows the precise path you must follow to turn disruption into opportunity.
Join business growth strategist and award-winning author, Meridith Elliott Powell in this high powered keynote where she reveals the research, the stories and the methodology.
This keynote has it all — energy, engagement, and a personal plan of action for every attendee.
Exhibiting at the GFA Fall 2026 Meeting is the ideal way to connect with leading fabricators and converters. The cost-effective tabletop display format provides direct access to decision-makers without having to arrange for elaborate displays and logistics.
Table Top Fee: $240
Wednesday morning will begin with a Breakfast and Orientation, open to all meeting attendees, to kick off a day of meetings, discussion sessions, and the Supplier Expo. New members, first-time attendees, and spouses/companions are encouraged to attend this orientation for a brief overview of the GFA, and for a chance to meet a few people before the general meeting.
The CEO Luncheon provides an exclusive opportunity for CEOs and senior executives to engage in candid, peer-to-peer discussions on the strategic issues facing their companies and the industry. This popular roundtable discussion is limited to CEOs and senior officers with profit-and-loss responsibility, creating an environment where participants can openly exchange ideas, challenges, and best practices with fellow industry leaders. Attendance is limited to a maximum of two qualified representatives per member company. There is an $85 per person fee, in addition to the meeting registration fee, to participate in the CEO Luncheon.
Enjoy the opportunity to discuss specific issues that are of interest to fabricators and their businesses with industry peers. Pre-registration for the Wednesday afternoon session is required, but there is no additional fee. Attendance is limited to Regular (Fabricator) members of the GFA.
Hear from Past Attendees of the GFA”s Semi-Annual Meeting
The meetings have a unique environment where everyone connects and meaningful relationships are built. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with customers while also making new connections.
KLINGER Thermoseal
There is no better, inter-industry networking event for companies in the gasket, converting, and material supplier market.
Specialty Silicone Products, Inc.
I can’t imagine there is any other event in our industry that allows a converter to gain so much valuable information in one day.
CGR Products
Early Bird Member Registration Fee: $670 per person
Early Bird Registration ends on August 1st when the price increases to $770.
Early Bird Multiple Member Representative Registration Fee: $455 per person
To be eligible for this rate, at least two other representatives from your company must pay the full member registration fee. Early Bird Registration ends on August 1st when the price increases to $555.
Spouse/Companion Registration Fee: $240 per person
Spouses/companions who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.
Table Top Fee: $240
*Fees are non-refundable after September 4, 2026. Cancellations prior to that date will be refunded in full, less a $50 per registration processing fee.
Experience the perfect balance of business and relaxation at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa. Nestled in the scenic Summerlin community, this elegant Mediterranean-inspired resort offers a tranquil setting just minutes from both the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip and the natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon.
Enjoy a variety of on-site dining options, ranging from casual American fare to Italian, Japanese, and international cuisine, or recharge with a visit to Spa Aquae, the fitness center, or the resort-style pool complete with a waterfall and grotto. Guests can also enjoy the convenience of the on-site Rampart Casino.
After a productive day of educational sessions, networking, and the Supplier Expo, unwind in spacious guest rooms featuring plush bedding, luxurious bathrooms, and modern amenities. Our discounted group rate is $244 per night, plus a $40 daily resort fee and applicable state and local taxes.
The daily resort fee provides access for two guests to:
+ One hour bike rental
+ Access to volleyball, horseshoes, & bocce ball (including equipment)
+ Two complimentary well drinks at any casino bar
+ Electronic bingo packs
+ One round of golf at Angel Park putting course
+ Enhanced high-speed Wi-Fi
+ Valet parking
If you’re having trouble securing a hotel room, please contact the GFA office for assistance!
Check-in Time: 4:00 pm
Check-out Time: Noon
Address:
221 N Rampart Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89145
702-869-7777
Since opening in 1989, Angel Park has earned a reputation for excellence, receiving numerous accolades—including being named “Best Golf Course in Las Vegas” by Las Vegas Review-Journal readers 14 of the past 15 years and recognized by Golf Digest as one of America’s Top 50 Courses for Women.
Designed by legendary golf course architect Arnold Palmer, the Palm Course offers an exceptional desert golf experience. The par-71 championship course winds through the natural desert landscape, showcasing breathtaking mountain views, strategically placed bunkers, and immaculate playing conditions that provide an enjoyable challenge for golfers of every skill level.
Cost Per Person: $200*
Club Rental: $80*
Note: All golfers should arrive at the course by 12:30 pm.
*The golf fee is nonrefundable after September 4, 2026.
This guided excursion offers an in-depth look at the history, design, and lasting impact of this National Civil Engineering Landmark. Go inside the Hoover Dam Power Plant and see the massive hydroelectric generators and learn how the facility continues to produce clean, renewable energy for millions of people across the Southwest.
The tour also includes a stop at the Boulder Dam Museum, where exhibits bring the remarkable story of the dam’s construction to life. Guests will then walk across the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, soaring 900 feet above the Colorado River for breathtaking panoramic views of Hoover Dam and Black Canyon.
The experience continues with a visit to the Arizona side of the dam to view the massive spillway—large enough to accommodate a World War II battleship—before concluding with a walk across the crest of Hoover Dam itself.
Cost Per Person: $315*
Note: Suggested attire includes casual layered clothing, long pants, sunglasses, hat/visor, and closed-toed shoes or sneakers.
Participants should board the bus by 12:45 pm.
*The tour fee is nonrefundable after September 4, 2026.
The GFA Mentor Program focuses on improving the initial experience of new GFA members and first-time meeting attendees by matching them with an active member of the GFA’s Membership Committee who will help to familiarize them with the organization, facilitate engagement in GFA activities, and answer any questions. A strong personal connection helps to build lasting relationships and encourages active participation. Mentors will reach out to first-time attendees prior to the meeting, and connect onsite at the Welcome Breakfast and Orientation on the morning of Wednesday, September 16th to assist with introductions. If you are a first-time attendee who would like to be assigned a mentor, please select this option when registering.
If you would like to serve as a mentor, please contact info@gasketfab.com for more information.
The spouse/companion registration fee includes admission to all sessions unless otherwise noted on the program. This includes all speaker sessions, breakfasts, lunches, and receptions. Please note that spouses/companions who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.
May I go to the meetings?
Meetings are open to all attendees except as noted on the schedule. Please note that Manufacturer Representatives are NOT permitted to attend any GFA functions.
What is the proper attire?
For all committee meetings and general sessions, the attire is casual. The cocktail receptions are informal.
What will the weather be like?
The daytime temperature in Las Vegas is hot and dry with an expected average of 90°F. Evening temperatures are expected to average about 70°F.
Are representative agencies allowed to attend?
Rep agencies and their employees are not eligible to attend or exhibit at GFA meetings.
Hotel Parking: Attendees of the GFA’s Fall Meeting will receive complimentary parking.
Uber/Lyft: The ride-sharing apps, Uber and Lyft, are available for local transportation, and can be downloaded to your smart device via the app store on IOS and Android products.
Taxi service: The cost for one-way taxi service between the Harry Reid International Airport and the resort is approximately $80.
The GFA and its members have recently been targeted by third party entities offering to provide unauthorized and in some instances, fraudulent services, including the sale of member and attendee lists or assistance with travel arrangements. These vendors are neither affiliated with nor authorized by GFA to provide any services. Their offers should be treated as scams and ignored. Some of the groups engaged in these unauthorized commercial solicitations may also engage in illegal phishing or send messages with malware, posing risks to your systems if links are clicked.
The GFA will never sell member or attendee information.
The GFA does not engage any third parties to handle hotel reservations or other travel services for meeting attendees.
Any group claiming to offer such lists or services is not associated with the GFA and does not have access to accurate data.
If you receive suspicious communications or have concerns about the legitimacy of a solicitation, please contact the GFA Office at info@gasketfab.com or +1-610-971-4850.
