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Recap Archive

Our 2026 Sales & Purchasing Convention, held in Louisville, Kentucky, brought Members and Vendor partners together under this year's theme: "Forging the Future of Welding and Gas." With 550+ Member and Vendor attendees, the event delivered an energizing and highly productive experience centered on collaboration, innovation, and preparing our industry for what lies ahead.

A Memorable Kickoff in Louisville

We kicked off this year's convention with two optional events that gave attendees a chance to connect in a relaxed setting while experiencing some of Louisville's local highlights. Members and guests enjoyed a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum, exploring the history behind one of baseball's most iconic brands, generously sponsored by DDS, Ratermann Manufacturing, and SafTCart. Others took part in a tour of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, gaining insight into the craftsmanship of Kentucky bourbon, generously sponsored by Milwaukee Tool.

Following the optional events and leading into the opening reception, we hosted a dedicated social hour for our INGG (IWDC Next Generation Group). This gathering provided an opportunity for emerging leaders within our Membership to network, build relationships, and engage with peers in a more informal setting.

At 6:00 PM on Sunday, we officially kicked off the convention with our Opening Reception, generously sponsored by CK Worldwide, CM Industries, Victory Welding Alloys, and DeWalt / Stanley.

Embracing the Louisville spirit, the evening featured a "Derby Best" attire theme, with attendees showcasing their style in true Kentucky fashion. The reception also included interactive elements that kept the energy high throughout the evening. Guests enjoyed photo opportunities with horse racing gates and a replica horse, while portable boxing machines proved to be a crowd favorite delivering plenty of friendly competition and memorable moments.

These kickoff experiences set the tone for the event—combining relationship-building, industry engagement, and a fun, uniquely Louisville atmosphere.

Monday General Session Kickoff

We began Monday morning's General Session by recognizing excellence across our network with our Member and Vendor Awards, celebrating the achievements, partnerships, and contributions that continue to strengthen our group.

Following the awards, attendees were introduced to this year's charity partner, Forged by Valor, in what was a truly moving and impactful presentation by Scott Quick. Founded by veterans for veterans, Forged by Valor is more than a welding training center, it is a brotherhood dedicated to helping service Members successfully transition into meaningful careers in the skilled trades.

The presentation highlighted the organization's mission and the life-changing impact they are making, setting an inspiring tone for the day and reinforcing the importance of giving back as an industry.

Thank you from Scott Quick

Employer Letter of Support

After Scott Quick shared the powerful story behind Forged by Valor, we transitioned into our first keynote speaker of the event. Todd Cohen delivered an engaging and thought-provoking message on the importance of embracing a sales mindset throughout our organizations. He challenged attendees to view sales not as a function but as a culture, one that when adopted across teams can act as a powerful multiplier for growth and success.

Download Todd Cohen's Presentation

Download Todd Cohen's Q&A

Following Todd Cohen's keynote, we transitioned into our Premier Sponsorship Presentation, featuring ESAB. Albert Miller shared how ESAB is focused on expanding and strengthening partnerships with IWDC Members through OEM and co-branded Weldmark products, simplified pricing strategies, stocking program incentives, and a continued focus on their medical and specialty gas equipment offerings through GCE.

Weldmark Member Workshop

We extend our sincere thanks to the panelists for their valuable insights and participation:

• Cara Heller (ILMO Products)
• Myles King (Wesco Gas & Welding Supply)
• Chris Albanese (Advanced Welding Supply)
• Ed Tolbert (DuPuy Oxygen)
• Jonathan Berry (Welders Supply & Gases - Louisville)

Vendor Workshop

While Members were going through their Workshops, IWDC held an exclusive Vendor Workshop, lead by IWDC's Chris Stout, accompanied by a couple of Member Owner panelists. This dedicated session was designed to provide valuable insights, foster stronger collaboration, and support our Vendors continued success within our network. The workshop focused on Member performance and key trends, Vendor partnerships and more! The discussion was well attended and very engaging!

Vendor Workshop Presentation

Vendor Workshop Q&A

We extend our sincere thanks to the panelists for their valuable insights and participation:

• Ben Ciceri - Core Industrial Gases, Inc. - Ajax, ON
• Jon Berger - Berger Farm & Welding Supply, Inc. - Plymouth, IN

Monday Afternoon: Gold Sponsor Presentations

Monday afternoon was dedicated to our Gold Sponsor Presentations, providing an opportunity for key partners to share updates, innovations, and strategies with the Membership.

We were proud to feature an outstanding group of 2026 Gold Sponsors, including:

• Continental Tool Group
• Cyl-Tec Cylinders
• Harris Products Group
• Alliance Distribution Partners
• JPW Industries
• United Abrasives
• Norton Abrasives
• Ratermann Manufacturing
• Trust Protection

These presentations offered valuable insights into product developments, market trends, and partnership opportunities, reinforcing the important role our supplier partners play in supporting Member success.

We capped Monday off with a late afternoon reception that was sponsored by our all our wonderful Premier, Gold and Silver Vendor sponsors! 

Tuesday: Finishing Strong

Although Tuesday marked the final day of the convention, we forged ahead with another impactful keynote from Colin Dees, Ph.D. Dr. Dees brought a highly relevant perspective to the group, drawing from his background as an HVAC technician, through distribution, and into supply chain and procurement leadership. His session focused on best practices in inventory control and how effective management directly impacts profitability, efficiency, and long-term success.

Download Colin Dee's Presentation

Download Colin Dee's Q&A

Following Colin's presentation, we introduced a new "speed dating" style meeting format, where Members rotated through Vendor Partner booths. The fast-paced, interactive approach generated strong engagement and highly positive feedback, with many attendees noting the energy and efficiency of the format.

Tuesday afternoon's booth program continued with that momentum and was energetic to say the least. The level of dialogue, engagement, and collaboration throughout the room was exceptional, with Members and Vendor Partners fully embracing the opportunity to connect and explore new opportunities together.

Immediately following the booth program, we had one more opportunity to network via our closing reception.

Charity Recap: Supporting Forged by Valor

A key highlight of this year's convention was our collective effort to support our charity partner, Forged by Valor. Through the generosity of our Members, Vendor Partners, and sponsors, we are proud to share that we raised $22,000 toward our $25,000 goal. Feeding off our tremendous momentum at the Sales and Purchasing event, we have decided to double our goal to $50,000 for Forged By Valor.

This support will directly impact veterans transitioning into the skilled trades, helping provide training, resources, and a strong sense of community.

Closing Thoughts

As we reflect on the success of the 2026 Sales & Purchasing Convention, it is clear that the strength of our organization lies in the relationships we build, the knowledge we share, and the commitment we have to moving our industry forward together. From meaningful conversations and impactful sessions to new connections and continued partnerships, this year's event truly embodied our theme of "Forging the Future of Welding and Gas."

We extend our sincere appreciation to all attendees, sponsors, speakers, and partners who made this convention such a success. We look forward to building on this momentum and seeing everyone again at next year's Sales & Purchasing Convention in Indianapolis.