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BY TOM BADSTUBNER, RYAN COMBEST, MIKE DODD, RICK SCHWEITZER, AND STEVE GUGLIELMO We had the opportunity to speak with GAWDA’s amazing Consultant team ahead of this year’s Spring Management Conference in Oklahoma City. The Consultants will be on site in OKC, so if you have any questions you want answered, make sure to stop by the GAWDA Booth during the Contact Booth Program. Last issue, we spoke about the upcoming year. This issue, we had an opportunity to discuss enforcement trends that have emerged over the first several months of 2026, as well as discuss important world events that are…

BY TERRY SCANLAN AND LUKE MARTIN, GAWDA’S INDUSTRY PARTNERING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS In the high-stakes arena of the GAWDA Spring Management Conference in Oklahoma City, competition for attention is fierce. With more than 100 supplier booths representing every niche—from industrial gases and cutting-edge welding rigs to the latest in safety gear—the Contact Booth Program is more than just a floor plan; it is a tactical battleground for distributor mindshare. As we enter the third year of the “Best in Show” contest, the stakes have evolved. This isn’t just about who has the flashiest backdrop; it’s a rigorous evaluation of how a brand translates its value…

By Anese Cavanaugh This article was originally published at activechoices.com/intentional-leadership-iep  Have you ever walked out of a meeting, a sales call, or a difficult conversation and thought — I did everything right, so why didn’t it land? You had the framework. You had the script. You had the training. And yet… something was off. Here’s what I’ve watched happen over and over again with leaders, teams, and organizations: the skills aren’t the problem. The energy and intention underneath those skills is. That’s the whole premise of the IEP Method® and Intentional Energetic Presence®. And once you see it, you genuinely cannot unsee it. WHAT…

If 2025 was marked by uncertainty about tariffs and the political situation, this year provides slightly more stability. Still, GAWDA members and their customers seem leery of the supposed certainty, with growth projections tempered by the looming possibility of further upheaval from forces beyond their control. Still, disruptors like AI and re-shoring driven by tariffs represent growth potential for GAWDA members, who uniformly projected growth this year. Though the growth projections aren’t as optimistic as they were heading into 2025, they continue to be full-throated in their call for continued growth, even on the heels of several consecutive years of…

GAWDA Suppliers Project Bounce Back Year in 2026 With 2025 in the rear view mirror and the uncertainty of the tariffs largely settled, GAWDA Suppliers anticipate a bounce-back year. Many suppliers point to pent-up demand, largely stemming from customers waiting out the tariffs or simply pushing existing products to the brink. This year, that dam will break, as customers will make product and capital investments, which will benefit the gases and welding industry. Further increases in AI and data centers will also require industry support. All told, 2026 projects to be banner year for GAWDA Suppliers. Thank you to all…

GAWDA Concludes 80th Anniversary Celebration With an Incredible Convention 2025 has been a milestone year for GAWDA, as we have spent the entire year commemorating our 80th Anniversary. That celebration culminated with the 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida. More than 900 GAWDA members converged in the Sunshine State for four days of unparalleled networking, education, and camaraderie. This year’s theme was “Sustaining a Resilient Culture,” and GAWDA and its members were up to the task, as we continued to show what has made GAWDA great for eight decades. The show had something for everyone, from the inspirational, to…

The Convention Ended With a Thrill GAWDA Members wrapped up an unforgettable Convention with President Eric Wood and his wife Paula. Hosted at the Motor Enclave, this was an evening of celebration and excitement!

The 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention Kicks Off with Newcomers and President’s Welcome Receptions This year’s Convention saw the return of the GAWDA Guides Event during the Newcomers Reception. The GAWDA Guides originally debuted during the 2025 SMC in Dallas. This year’s GAWDA Guides Program was revamped slightly, as the Guides (a who’s who of industry legends) brought their newcomers’ around to learn more about GAWDA’s different committees. It was an excellent way to get newcomers’ acquainted, not only with each other, but also with all GAWDA has to offer. The Newcomers’ were given a BINGO board to fill out as…

The 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention Kicks Off with Newcomers and President’s Welcome Receptions This year’s Convention saw the return of the GAWDA Guides Event during the Newcomers Reception. The GAWDA Guides originally debuted during the 2025 SMC in Dallas. This year’s GAWDA Guides Program was revamped slightly, as the Guides (a who’s who of industry legends) brought their newcomers’ around to learn more about GAWDA’s different committees. It was an excellent way to get newcomers’ acquainted, not only with each other, but also with all GAWDA has to offer. The Newcomers’ were given a BINGO board to fill out as…

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,…

In the gases and welding industry, staying informed isn’t just important — it’s essential for ensuring safety, maintaining compliance, and meeting industry regulations. That’s why GAWDA is proud to introduce the newly enhanced GAWDA University — a learning platform designed to provide our members with the knowledge and resources they need to operate safely, efficiently, and confidently. A Fresh Start with Enhanced Support To support this initiative, GAWDA has created a new role dedicated to ensuring the platform’s continued success. We are pleased to welcome Holly Pappaconstantine as our new Membership and Committee Coordinator. Holly brings valuable experience from higher…

By Natasha Alexis, GAWDA Vice President, Operations and Administration In 1945, a small group of industry leaders came together with one shared goal: to improve safety and support one another in the welding and gases industry. Eight decades later, that same spirit of collaboration continues to define GAWDA — an association dedicated to building relationships grounded in a shared purpose. Today, GAWDA proudly represents a significant portion of businesses in the industrial gas and welding industry, from family-owned distributors to global suppliers. By serving as a unifying voice for these companies, GAWDA has played a vital role in advancing industry…

NWSA President 1992-1993 Butler Gas Products By Jack Butler In my GAWDA (then NWSA, National Welding Supply Association) President Year of 1993, time was the currency and speed was the base, as the internet was rapidly accelerating business methods and Peter McCausland was consolidating our association membership under the Airgas marquee. We had the initial wave of Baby Boomers joining the industry, and I had the honor and fun of serving NWSA alongside Jack Dammann, Randy Squibb, Dan Paris, Jim Robertson, Gary Armstrong, Bill Higley, Chip Valentine, Dave Mahoney, and current GAWDA Hall of Famers Bob Roberts and Wally Brant.…

Like 2024, GAWDA’s suppliers are expecting robust growth in 2025. But unlike 2024, they don’t have the same concerns about a potential election-year surprise looming at the end of it, tempering their expectations. While some suppliers noted that things like tariffs and inflation could dull growth this year, there was a universal expectation of a strong pro-business environment and growth across the board for GAWDA members in 2025! The following are responses from GAWDA suppliers across North America about their expectations for this year. We thank all of the suppliers who participated in this year’s forecast. Be sure to check…

GAWDA Distributors Forecast Gases & Welding Economy for 2025 Every year, the first quarter issue of Welding & Gases Today sets the tone for the coming year with the forecast issue. Not only do we speak with our distributor and supplier (page 58) members, but we also have our sister organizations like the American Welding Society (page 78) and Compressed Gas Association (page 80) contribute their thoughts on the upcoming year, to be combined with the quarterly ITR Economic Forecast (page 88). This issue also features the first look at this year’s Spring Management Conference, which will set the theme…

Looking Ahead to 2025 In a New Regulatory Environment Following the 2024 Elections, what can GAWDA members expect from a regulatory standpoint in 2025? By Tom Badstubner, Marilyn Dempsey, Michael Dodd, Rick Schweitzer, and Steve Guglielmo Much of the First Quarter Issue of Welding & Gases Today will discuss the impact of the 2024 Elections on the GAWDA Membership. GAWDA members discussed the economic impacts at length in the distributor and supplier forecasts, which can be read on page 58-69. But from a regulatory perspective, the next four years will look very different than the last four, as the Trump…

By Dave Mahoney NWSA President, 1999-2000 | Noble Gas Solutions Becoming involved in GAWDA was one of the smartest decisions I ever made. It is surely one of the significant highlights of my career. In the Spring of 1980, I attended my first Spring Management Conference. I will never forget Bill Sturgeon running up the center aisle and jumping onto the stage in a Canadian hockey jersey. He was excited and immediately got my attention. I loved it! From that point on, all Presidents would sit in the front row and, when introduced, they would walk to the stage to…