As METALCON marks its 35th anniversary in 2026, an expanded education and training program will give professionals from across the entire metal construction ecosystem new opportunities to build skills, improve performance and prepare for the year ahead. Taking place Oct. 7–9, in Orlando, Fla., this year’s program will emphasize practical training, market intelligence, technical education and business-focused learning.

With workforce development, changing codes, economic uncertainty and demand for field-ready training top of mind across the industry, METALCON will offer hands-on clinics, expert-led sessions, keynote presentations, industry outlook discussions, five specialized learning centers, Florida Contractor Continuing Education Credits and a new Latino Track featuring Spanish-language education and hands-on training.

"METALCON is more than a trade show - it is the metal construction industry's annual business and education summit," said Judy Geller, METALCON Vice President of Trade Shows. "This year's education program reflects the issues professionals are navigating every day, from workforce development and field installation challenges to codes, building performance, technology, economic uncertainty and business growth. Attendees will leave with knowledge they can immediately apply in the field, in the office and across their organizations."

Hands-On Training Remains a Defining METALCON Advantage

What continues to set METALCON apart is its commitment to live, hands-on metal construction training. Attendees will have access to practical demonstrations and expert instruction designed to improve field performance, installation quality and jobsite efficiency.

METAL Mastery Clinics, presented by the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance, will take place on the show floor and feature industry best practices for the installation of standing seam metal panels, metal shingles and metal roofing retrofit systems. The clinics will help contractors better understand material selection, panel forming and proper installation techniques that improve efficiency, quality and building owner satisfaction.

The METALCON Training Zone, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams | MetalVue, will feature hands-on demonstrations using mock-ups and materials including painted steel, aluminum, zinc, copper and other specialty materials. Led by John Sheridan of Sheridan Metal Resources and his team of experts, demonstrations will be offered in English and Spanish, with tools available for audience testing and purchase.

Keynotes and Industry Outlook Sessions Address Resilience, Markets and What Comes Next

METALCON will feature keynote presentations and industry outlook programming that provide attendees with both inspiration and timely market intelligence.

Jim Abbott, inspirational speaker and Major League Baseball pitcher, will deliver "Nothing Can Stop You" on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a meet and greet. Abbott's keynote will focus on resilience, gratitude and the ability to turn challenges into strengths, offering attendees a powerful perspective on perseverance, adaptability and leadership.

Kermit Baker, a leading economic voice in the architecture, design and construction sectors and former chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, will present "Building Through Uncertainty: A Market Outlook for the Construction and Design Industries" on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 9:00 a.m. His keynote will examine the economic forces shaping project activity, demand, pipeline trends and sector growth, helping attendees understand how current conditions may affect backlog, bidding environments, project starts and strategic business decisions over the next 12 months.

METALCON will also feature two industry outlook sessions addressing the business and compliance issues shaping metal construction. “Outlook: 2027 — The Future of Metal Construction” will bring together leading voices for a forecast panel focused on material costs, evolving codes, supply chain pressures, economic conditions and jobsite realities. “Metal Construction Code Updates: What’s Changed and What It Means” will help attendees understand recent and upcoming changes to codes and standards, with practical implications for design, specification, fabrication and installation.

Five Learning Centers Connect Attendees with Targeted Education

Designed for contractors, fabricators, architects, engineers, installers, designers and specifiers, the broader education program is organized around five specialized learning centers to help attendees quickly identify sessions relevant to their roles, business needs and technical interests:

• Contractor Business Success Center - Practical strategies for improving profitability, operations and workforce development.
• Installation & Techniques Learning Center - Jobsite-focused training on installation best practices, safety and field challenges.
• Metal Performance Learning Center - Education focused on building performance, resilience, codes, standards and compliance.
• Tools & Technology Zone - Emerging technologies, software, automation and productivity tools changing how metal construction professionals work.
• Design District - AIA-accredited education for architects, designers and specifiers focused on design innovation and the use of metal in the built environment. 

Unlike general construction events, METALCON's education program is focused exclusively on the application of metal in design and construction, providing attendees with targeted insights and practical knowledge unavailable anywhere else.

Florida Contractor Continuing Education Credits

METALCON will offer dozens of Florida Contractor Continuing Education Credits, giving Florida contractors an opportunity to earn a significant portion of the continuing education required to maintain their licenses while gaining practical industry knowledge.

New Latino Track Expands Access to Focused Education and Training

In response to the needs of the industry and the growing community of Spanish-speaking professionals in metal construction, METALCON will introduce a new Latino Track featuring educational sessions presented in Spanish, along with Spanish-language hands-on demonstrations in the METALCON Training Zone.

The new Latino Track is designed to expand access to high-value technical, business and leadership education while supporting contractors, installers, roofing professionals and project teams who are helping shape the future of the metal construction industry.

Sessions in the Latino Track include:

• From Vision to Profit: Building a Winning Business Plan in the Metal Industry
• Behind the System: Leadership, Communication & Growth in Modern Roofing
• From Coil to Code: How High-Performance Metal Roofing Systems Are Engineered, Tested and Manufactured
• Why Engineered Roofing Systems Matter More Than Ever 

METALCON takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from Wednesday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, with pre-show workshops beginning Tuesday, Oct. 6. Registration is now open at www.metalcon.com.