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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…

Newcomers’ Reception After making the difficult decision to move the Newcomers Reception inside due to the more than 100-degree heat, the Newcomers Reception kicked the Convention off in style, as more than 100 GAWDA New Members, Past Presidents, and members of GAWDA’s Member Services Committee gathered in the Wildflower Ballroom to mix and mingle and show off their hand in a fierce putting contest. Winners from last night’s putting contest will even bring home some hardware and be recognized from the stage during tomorrow’s Opening General Business Session, so stay tuned! Thank you to all who came and all who…