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The keynote speaker line up for FABTEC 2026 in Las Vegas this October might be our best assemblage of talent yet. It will feature renowned leaders who will share actionable insights on leadership, teamwork, and business performance.
Our celebrity speakers range from international podcast sensation Amber Mac to NFL’s greatest ever receiver Jerry Rice and fabrication and welding superstar Steve Darnell of Vegas Rat Rods.
Here is a quick summary of what you can expect.
Amber Mac will deliver a powerful and timely talk on, “The New AI Power Shift: Risks, Rewards, & Readiness for 2027 & Beyond.” It will cover territory vital to every job shop, every fabricator, every welder, every manufacturer, and every finisher. AI is invading very aspects of work and personal life. It presents tremendous opportunities. Yet threats lurk for those that are unprepared. This talk will provide the knowledge needed by you and your team to make the necessary adjustments to take advantage of the many opportunities afforded by AI as well as how to avoid succumbing to its threats.
“Championship Culture in Manufacturing: Discipline, Teamwork, and Excellent with Jerry Rice.” The NFL Hall of Famer will translate his on-field heroics into the field of manufacturing and fabrication. You will be surprised and delighted by the many parallels he draws. This keynote promises to be as fascinating as last year’s keynote by NFL great Emmit Smith as we covered in one blog, What Can Emmitt Smith Teach Us About Manufacturing and Fabrication?
The Creative Edge: How Craftmanship and Grit Drive Fabrication” by Steve Darnell, founder of Welder Up and the creative force behind the Discovery Channel hit show Vegas Rat Rods. This session is a must-see for anyone in welding, fabrication, forming, or finishing. Steve is renowned for turning scrap into one‑of‑a‑kind builds. His Las Vegas shop is world famous. Those attending will learn about his “do it right the first time” philosophy and why it is so vital to every project. Further, he will explain how to create and lead a team – one that thrives even when the pressure builds. This keynote will offer tips on how to push through business, financial, or technical limitations. If you want to motivate the next generation, be sure to attend this talk.
If these keynotes were all that FABTECH 2026 had to offer, it would be more than worth it. But they represent a tiny fraction of the entire show. In all, you can look forward to more than 180+ expert-led sessions and workshops across 12 tracks. These conference sessions will equip you with practical, real-world insights to boost productivity, close workforce gaps, optimize operations, and drive measurable business results across processes like bending, laser, cutting, stamping, finishing, and welding. In addition, our massive exhibition space is where you can visit 1,400 exhibitors across 700,000+ square feet of the latest manufacturing technology — all in one place.
Register for FABTECH 2026 today.