Browsing: AC26

GAWDA Closes Its 2026 Annual Convention at the Boston Museum of Science GAWDA members, families and industry partners gathered at the Boston Museum of Science for the President’s Farewell Gala, bringing the 2026 Annual Convention to a memorable close. Hosted by outgoing GAWDA President Allison Earlbeck, the gala offered attendees one final opportunity to celebrate an eventful week in Boston and spend time with the friends and colleagues who make the association’s national meetings special. A fitting conclusion in a city of ingenuity The Boston Museum of Science provided an ideal setting for the convention’s final celebration. GAWDA’s 2026 Annual…

GAWDA and its industry partners recognized outstanding companies, volunteers and association leaders during the Closing General Session of the 2026 GAWDA Annual Convention in Boston. The awards celebrated achievements in workplace safety, welding-industry leadership and volunteer service. The ceremony also recognized two outgoing GAWDA leaders for their contributions to the association. CORE Industrial Gases and Vern Lewis Welding Supply earn safety awards The Compressed Gas Association presented the 2026 GAWDA Distributor Safety Awards to CORE Industrial Gases and Vern Lewis Welding Supply. The awards recognize GAWDA distributor members that demonstrated the greatest improvement in personnel safety over a five-year period.…

Kevin Falconer was formally inducted as the 2026–2027 President of the Gases and Welding Distributors Association during the Closing General Session of GAWDA’s 2026 Annual Convention in Boston. The ceremony marked the beginning of a new leadership year for the association and introduced members to Falconer’s presidential theme, “Lean In and Level Up.” A personal introduction Falconer’s wife, Michaela, opened the induction with a personal introduction that gave attendees a closer look at the new GAWDA President. She described a leader who is willing to face difficult situations, acknowledge when he does not have all the answers and treat every…

GAWDA members once again demonstrated the generosity and community spirit that define the gases and welding industry, raising more than $130,000 for two Massachusetts nonprofit organizations through the 2026 GAWDA Gives Back campaign. During the Opening General Session at GAWDA’s 2026 Annual Convention in Boston, GAWDA President Allison Earlbeck welcomed representatives from Canines for Disabled Kids and Second Chance Animal Services to the stage. Each organization received a contribution of more than $67,000. Kristin Hartness of Canines for Disabled Kids joined Earlbeck alongside service dog Rocky. Lindsay McCormack and Sheryl Blancato represented Second Chance Animal Services. The emotional presentation celebrated…

Ideas, Insight and Ingenuity Take the Stage at GAWDA’s 2026 Annual Convention GAWDA’s 2026 Annual Convention brought association leaders, industry experts and nationally recognized speakers to Boston for two days of educational programming focused on leadership, economic conditions, emerging opportunities and the enduring value of human connection. The presentations reflected the convention theme, “The Renaissance of the Human Advantage — 250 Years of Ingenuity,” while giving attendees practical ideas they could bring back to their companies. Allison Earlbeck welcomes GAWDA to Boston GAWDA President Allison Earlbeck opened the convention’s business program by connecting Boston’s history of innovation with the growing…

GAWDA Guides Welcome More Than 80 First-Time Attendees The GAWDA community welcomed more than 80 first-time attendees during the Newcomers’ Reception at the 2026 GAWDA Annual Convention. Held September 20–23 at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, the convention brought members, families and industry partners together for several days of education, networking and community. Although GAWDA Guides is one of the association’s newer programs, it has quickly become one of the most popular features at GAWDA’s national events. During the reception, each newcomer was paired with an experienced GAWDA veteran who served as a guide, making introductions and helping…

President’s Welcome Reception Opens the 2026 GAWDA Annual Convention GAWDA President Allison Earlbeck welcomed members, families and friends to Boston during the President’s Welcome Reception, officially opening the 2026 GAWDA Annual Convention. Held at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, the reception set the tone for four days of education, industry insights and valuable time together from September 20–23, 2026. The President’s Welcome Reception was Allison’s way of bringing the GAWDA community together at the beginning of the convention. In a relaxed and festive atmosphere, attendees reconnected with longtime friends, welcomed new participants and looked forward to the conversations…

The 2026 GAWDA Annual Convention in Boston continued with Networking 360, an event designed to bring members of the gases and welding community together for conversation, collaboration and relationship-building. The program gave attendees another opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new industry colleagues and strengthen the professional relationships that make GAWDA events so valuable. The Networking 360 photo gallery captures the energy of the gathering—from lively conversations and shared laughs to introductions that may lead to future partnerships. These candid moments reflect the strong sense of community that defines GAWDA and its Annual Convention. Networking 360 followed the Contact…

The 2026 GAWDA Annual Convention in Boston brought the gases and welding community together for meaningful conversations, new connections and plenty of memorable moments. The Contact Booth Program offered attendees an engaging setting to meet industry partners, reconnect with colleagues and discover the people and companies helping move the industry forward. Throughout the program, the photo booth captured the energy and camaraderie that make the GAWDA community so special. From longtime friends reuniting to new connections being made, these photos reflect the welcoming spirit of the convention—and prove that business networking can include a little fun, too. Browse the gallery…

The Women of Gases & Welding and GAWDA Young Professionals came together for an afternoon of networking, recognition and Boston history during the GAWDA 2026 Annual Convention. The event began with lunch at Legal Sea Foods Harborside, where GAWDA members had an opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the gases and welding industry. Attendees then visited the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum for an interactive experience that brought one of the nation’s defining moments to life. The event reflected the 2026 Annual Convention theme, “Renaissance of the Human Advantage: 250 Years of Ingenuity,” by celebrating the relationships, shared…