GAWDA Continues to Raise the Bar with the 2025 SMC
More than 750 GAWDA members converged in the Lone Star State for the 2025 GAWDA Spring Management Conference. With a theme of “Sustaining a Resilient Culture,” this year’s SMC was a perfect way to celebrate GAWDA’s 80th Anniversary in 2025. The show had something for everyone, as attendees had the opportunity to hear from four different and distinct Main Stage Presenters, who discussed topics that ran the gamut from the political landscape, to pursuing your crazy ideas, to the inspiring, and all culminating with a discussion with our Industry Keynote, Hypertherm, who discussed their recent leadership transition and how they have sustained their culture, “The Hypertherm Way.” The GAWDA Young Professionals and Women of Gases Welding Committees also held educational opportunities during the show. It was the most educational SMC GAWDA has ever produced!
Attendees also had the opportunity to hear two of our six educational sessions on Tuesday, as the Educational Tracks discussed important, industry-centric topics. In addition to the education, there was the world-famous Contact Booth Program, where more than 500 attendees got to discuss the latest and greatest technology and new products in the industry. Plus, the SMC kicked off with the President’s Welcome Reception at the Dallas Tower Club. All in all, GAWDA continues to raise the bar from both a networking and educational perspective. We look forward to continuing to explore this year’s theme of Sustaining a Resilient Culture throughout the summer at our Regional Meetings, concluding with the Annual Convention in October in Tampa!
SMC Kicks Off with Board and Committee Meetings
Prior to the “official” kick off of the 2025 GAWDA Spring Management Conference, GAWDA’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Volunteer Committees Met on Saturday, May 3rd. The group discussed the association’s goals for the rest of its 80th year, as well as recapped progress made and achievements from 2024 on behalf of the full GAWDA membership.
Following the Volunteer Committee chairs’ meeting with the GAWDA Board, each committee met with its members to discuss the goals and progress that have been made this year. The Government Affairs, Safety, Industry Partnering, Member Services, Insurance & Benefits, and Technology Committees all met from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Women of Gases & Welding Committee met from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., while the Young Professionals Committee held their Lunch & Learn with Eric Wood from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30p.m.
Lunch and Learn with Eric Wood
GAWDA's Young Professionals and Women of Gases & Welding Committees Host Special Events
During the SMC, GAWDA’s YP and WGW Committees each held special luncheons. On Saturday, May 3rd, the YP Committee hosted a Lunch & Learn educational session with GAWDA President Eric Wood in the Greenville Ave. ball room. This has become an annual tradition at the SMC and it continues to be an incredibly popular event. YP Committee Co-Chairs Andy Riordan and Marie Ratermann Williams moderated the event and interviewed Woody about this year’s theme of “Sustaining a Resilient Culture.” Woody touched on the importance of culture within business and in our association and the steps that must be taken to ensure that it remains strong through company transitions and employee successions. He also mentioned that he expects the industry to remain strong even through all the turmoil and uncertainty that the industry may experience. At the end of the presentation, Woody took questions from the audience.
On Monday, May 5th, the WGW Committee hosted a lunch and learn presentation with AWG’s VP of Business Development Michael Crambes. Michael has been active in the compressed gas industry for the past 41 years. AWG VP of HR Bonnie Thompson interviewed Michael and discussed their long careers together and impressive history of collaboration. Michael is known not only for his strong business skills, but for his passionate advocacy and mentorship of women in the field. During this relaxed fireside chat, Michael shared practical insights and real-world advice for building confidence, navigating challenges, and advancing your career.
Thank you to all members who attended these amazing educational sessions, and thank you to Eric Wood, Michael Crambes and Bonnie Thompson for providing such great content.
WGW Lunch with Michael Crambes
SMC Tees Off With President's Welcome Reception Overlooking Downtown Dallas
Following the Board and Committee Meetings, the SMC Tee’d Off with the newly reimagined Newcomer’s Reception and the President’s Welcome Reception and Dinner. The Newcomer’s Reception was an invite-only intimate gathering that featured the first-ever “GAWDA Guides Program.” GAWDA Guides was the brainchild of GAWDA’s Member Services Committee and was designed to ensure that New Comers were paired with GAWDA Board Members and/or industry stalwarts, who were able to facilitate networking and introduce them to this amazing association. Click here to learn more about the GAWDA Guides Program.
Immediately following the New Comers Reception was the President’s Welcome Reception and Dinner from the picturesque Dallas Tower Club, high above the Dallas skyline. The Welcome Reception was an amazing event, which featured a variety of foods, a band which kept the vibes high throughout the night, a Mini Golf contest, and two Full Swing Golf simulators. It was a hole-in-one start for this year’s SMC, and just one more notch in the belt for a culture that has been sustained for 80 years.
The night concluded with an After-Party sponsored by GAWDA’s Young Professionals committee, that raged until midnight.
Saturday Kicks Off With Multi-Faceted Business Session
Following the High of the Welcome Reception, GAWDA kicked off its business session on Monday, May 5th, as GAWDA President Eric Wood welcomed the more than 750 attendees to the Opening General Business Session. He recapped the importance of this year’s theme, “Sustaining a Resilient Culture,” before recognizing the Board Members and Past Presidents in attendance. Then, Woody introduced this year’s GAWDA Gives Back recipient, which will be awarded at the 2025 Annual Convention in Tampa. This year’s recipient is Black Dagger Military Club, and this year is a special year for GAWDA Gives Back, as we are celebrating our 25th Year of Gives Back. Click here to learn more about this year’s charity.
Business Sessions Presentations
On Monday, GAWDA Members were entertained by three distinct main stage presenters. First, Kyle Scheele, the “Patron Saint of Crazy Ideas,” took the stage to discuss the importance of creative thinking and risk taking. Then, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ Chief Government Relations Officer Brian Wild brought clairty on today’s political landscape and shed light on the ever-evolving tariff situation. And finally, bestselling author John O’Leary inspired the crowd with his “Live on Fire” presentation. When John was nine years old, he was burned on 100% of his body and given less than a 1% chance to live. His amazing journey of survival illustrates the incredible power of the human spirit.
These thought-provoking and enaging speakers were a perfect way to kick off the day. If you haven’t yet, please click here to fill out a survey about Monday’s Main Stage presenters.
Tuesday at the SMC began with the Closing General Business session, which was given by Aaron Brandt, President and CEO of Hypertherm, and Evan Smith, former President and CEO of Hypertherm. This was the perfect industry keynote for this conference, as Aaron and Evan were able to discuss the recent leadership transition and how the company has gone about sustaining the resilient culture, dubbed “The Hypertherm Way,” that Hypertherm has built over decades since Dick Couch opened the companyin 1968. The two discussed the history of the company as well as the history of plasma cutting, and how Hypertherm grew from its humble beginnings to the industry giant that it is today. Aaron was officially named President and CEO in 2024, becoming just the third CEO in the company’s history, following Dick Couch and Evan Smith. During the long transition, Aaron and Evan worked together to ensure that the company’s strong culture, including its 100% employee ownership, would continue to thrive. Thank you to Aaron and Evan for this insightful and entertaining presentation.
SMC 2025 Contact Booth Program
Following this educational luncheon presented by the WGW was the networking crown jewel of the Spring Management Conference, the Contact Booth Program. This year’s event featured 150 Exhibitors, the most ever for a Contact Booth Program, and more than 500 attendees who got to peruse the latest and greatest technology and new products in the gases and welding industry.
This year also featured the triumphant return of GAWDA’s “Best in Show” Award, sponsored by the Industry Partnering Committee. A panel of secret judges observed each booth and determined a winner based on a number of criteria. Congratulations to Eleet Cryogenics, who won the second annual Best in Show Award. Congratulations also to Ratermann Manufacturing, USA Cylinder, and JAZ Brush who were also recognized by the judges.
SMC 2025 Contact Booth Videos
Educational Sessions Close the 2025 SMC
Following the industry keynote, attendees had the opportunity to learn from two of six amazing educational sessions. During the first set of educational sessions, attendees could hear aboutCybersecurity from an esteemed panel of Tom Barnes, Castor Security; Ryan Esparza, Esprigas; Keith Johnson, Obviate; John Vrana, Red Ball Oxygen; Moderated by David Schaer, Computers Unlimited. They could also hear about Securing the Next Generation Workforce from Lindsey Trent, Next Gen Trucking; or a ten year outlook for gas distribution independents from a panel of Ben Black, Butler Gas; Kyle Pipes, Haun Welding; Mike Roach, OE Meyer; moderated by Marcello Medini, Pulsa Sensors.
During the second session of the Educational Sessions, attendees had the opportunity to hear about E-Commerce from a panel of Ryan Esparaza, Marisa Leek, Keen Compressed Gas; David Schaer, moderated by Hector Villarreal, Weldcoa. They could also hear from Sunny Punj about unlocking thehydrogen opportunity for regional distributors or a panel discussion with GAWDA’s amazing consultants team.
*Please note, the hyperlinks for each session will bring you to the speaker survey. Please fill out the survey for each session that you attended. Thank you!
There was something for everyone. Thank you to our amazing presenters and to those members who attended each session. We sincerely thank all attendees for making this such a fantastic SMC. We can’t wait to see you at one of our in-person events throughout 2025. To see the full schedule, click the button below.
