BEC Conference 2026

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Fresh off the GlassBuild America Main Stage, national workforce leader Joshua Johnson will share how the glass industry can close workforce gaps by tapping all overlooked talent pools and transform them into an unstoppable competitive advantage.

Joshua Johnson is a national workforce leader, keynote speaker, and second-chance advocate who blends lived experience with executive expertise to drive equity in apprenticeship and workforce systems.

 

Discover how DOWSIL™ 375 redefines architectural elegance and efficiency. This two-part polyurethane embedding solution offers invisible bonding for frameless glass balustrades, delivering pure glass aesthetics with unmatched structural integrity. Designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, DOWSIL™ 375 can ensure rapid installation, high rigidity, and long-term durability—making it the ideal choice for modern construction projects that demand both beauty and performance. Learn how this innovative material enhances productivity, safety, and design freedom in today's built environments.

Jeff Quast, Research Scientist, Concept Development Specialist, Dow

In today's manufacturing environment, automation alone isn't enough. Visibility, responsiveness, and workforce enablement are just as critical to long-term success. That's why Erdman Automation has developed Erdman Connect—a real-time, app-based support and communication platform built specifically for IG production environments. Erdman Connect gives operators, supervisors, and Erdman's support teams a shared window into machine performance and plant activity. Whether it's walking a line for maintenance, capturing production data, or requesting immediate assistance, the platform empowers teams with live alerts, guided tasks, and a direct link to Erdman service—without ever leaving the floor.

Cece Belcher, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Erdman Automation Corp.

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Tough economic times require innovation. It's critical to develop future leaders, modernize processes and foster a culture that adapts to a changing workforce. Priscilla Koeckeritz (PK) returns to the BEC stage to dive deeper into the people, culture and labor challenges shaping the glass industry, sharing invaluable insights from her journey transforming Brin Glass. Participants can expect practical strategies for overcoming traditional mindsets and embracing innovation during tough economic times as well as actionable advice on navigating leadership transitions, protecting company legacies and building resilient teams equipped for the future challenges of the glass industry and beyond.

As a leading provider of glass and metal railing solutions—including guardrails, balcony enclosures, and glass barriers—Q-railing is known for its commitment to modern design, safety, and innovation. It aims to be the most reliable and forward-thinking railing system provider worldwide, and continuously evaluates both market trends and internal processes to drive ongoing improvement. Q-railing offers a turnkey service, managing every stage of a project—from shop drawings and engineering to fabrication and glass supply—providing clients with a comprehensive, full-service solution. Learn how our products and services help project stakeholders reduce their risk, increase profitability, elevate their brand reputation, and speed up the installation process.

Syndi Sim, Director of Sales and Business Development, Q-Railing - North America

Timothy Hawk, WSA Studio

Can glass be both complexly curved and heat-strengthened or fully tempered? Yes, and you'll have the chance to learn more about the new capabilities of multi-curved, heat treated glass. sedak's groundbreaking multi-curved, tempering furnace-based technology opens new design possibilities in architectural glass, with possiblities up to 8, 11, and 18 meters in length——pushing the boundaries of façade design.

Derek Losee, North American Sales Manager, Sedak

Raise Robotics builds mobile robots designed for the complex and changing conditions of building envelope projects. Our technology enhances safety, accuracy, and productivity while working seamlessly with contractor crews. Learn how robotics can be deployed today as a powerful tool to support the workforce and deliver higher-quality projects on schedule.

Conley Oster, Co-founder & COO, Raise Robotics

Urmilla Sowell, Vice President of Advocacy & Technical Services at NGA, and NGA energy codes consultant Tom Culp, Owner of Birch Point Consulting, will present updates to standards and codes that impact the glass and glazing industry.

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In response to national architect research, Vitro Architectural Glass has evolved its warm-toned, low-emissivity glass products, focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. Learn how Vitro's commitment to market-driven innovation and advanced glass solutions help achieve a balance between performance and appearance.

Erin Casci, MSVD Product Manager, Vitro Architectural Glass

Sarah Martin, Associate Director of Forecasting, Dodge Construction Network

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Whatever you want from life, you need to be more interesting to get it. People give us promotions, propositions and proposals. That means you need to attract more of them to you. In this engaging and humorous keynote led by Deedre Daniel, you'll discover the secrets to attracting the right people and seizing new opportunities. In this personal and professional development session, you will learn how to increase your opportunities using a combination of creative thinking, humor and building connections. Many people need to remember to be more mindful of how they present themselves to others. This program encourages you to identify and tackle poor communication habits and embrace better ones to lead more exciting lives and inspire others to do the same. Boost your personal and professional success by becoming more interesting than a cell phone!

Kick off to Tactical Tuesday, featuring need-to-know tips and tech that are practical, actionable, and ready to implement for preconstruction to installation.
 

Brandon Bellegarde and Tyler Faulk will dive into the different accuracy and efficiency problems in pre-construction and the tools and tactics that can be used to improve profitability. Attendees will learn how to identify waste across the four pre-construction phases; leverage emerging technologies, including AI; and enhance efficiency in drafting, engineering and estimation. The session addresses the critical competitive advantage that early adopters of modern pre-construction tools will gain as the industry undergoes significant transformation over the next five years. Through real-world anecdotes and practical examples, participants will discover concrete steps to modernize their operations, improve project timelines and position their companies ahead of industry shifts.

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Travis Nevins will moderate a panel of vendors and technology experts to showcase innovative solutions that are transforming architectural glass and metal installation on the jobsite. Attendees will discover how emerging technologies—from robotic layout stations to load stabilization devices—can simultaneously improve worker safety, boost profit margins, accelerate project timelines and deliver consistent quality results. The session addresses one of the industry's most pressing challenges: how to supplement the skilled workforce with smart technology while maintaining the craftsmanship glazing contractors are known for. Participants will leave with practical knowledge about cutting-edge tools they can implement immediately, along with insights into ROI considerations, training requirements and real-world applications from contractors already using these innovations. This is an essential session for glazing professionals looking to stay competitive, work smarter and position their companies at the forefront of jobsite efficiency and safety.