The Welding Automation Exposition and Conference (WAEC) brings together automation leaders, engineers, and manufacturers to explore how robotics, sensors, and Industry 4.0 technologies are transforming welding productivity and quality.

Over 2½ days, attendees experience technical sessions, demonstrations, exhibits, and networking opportunities. Participants earn 13 Professional Development Hours (PDHs), with an optional plant tour offering 3 additional PDHs. WAEC 2026 provides actionable insights to solve welding labor shortages through automation and smart manufacturing.

• Dates: June 2–4, 2026
• Venue: The Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown, 35 S 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
• Room Rate: $184
• Reservation Cut-off: Friday, May 15, 2026

AWS warns attendees about hotel phishing scams ("housing pirates") and notes that the only legitimate way to reserve a room at the conference hotel is through the official "Reserve Your Room Today" button on the WAEC page.

• Learn from experts — robotics, automation, cobots, Industry 4.0, and renewable manufacturing.
• Earn PDHs — 1 per hour of conference attendance (13 total) plus 3 for the optional plant tour.
• Network with peers — connect with automation leaders, exhibitors, and engineers across industries.
• Hands-on insights — optional half-day plant tour showcasing real-world applications.

The program spans 2½ days of sessions, 18 technical sessions plus 1 keynote, 2 lunches, and 2 networking receptions.

• Conference Chair: Jeff Noruk, President of Servo-Robot Corp., a leading supplier of laser vision camera systems for robot guidance and weld inspection. Noruk has 45 years in welding automation, holds a B.S. in Welding Engineering from The Ohio State University, and is active on AWS D16 (Robotic and Welding Standards) and D8 (Automotive Welding Standards), as well as a CWI and PE.
• Co-Chair: Doug Rhoda, Chairman, Principal and Founder of Vectis Automation, a collaborative robot (cobot) welding and cutting system manufacturer. Rhoda has over 37 years of robotic and automated welding/cutting experience and holds a B.S. in Welding Engineering from Ohio State and an MBA from the University of Denver.

• Jeff Burnstein — President, Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the leading North American trade group representing over 1,400 global companies in robotics, AI, vision, and motion control. Burnstein received the 2023 Engelberger Robotics Award for Leadership.
• Carey Chen — CEO, American Welding Society. Former CEO of Fathom Digital Manufacturing, Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions, and Incodema Holdings; previously VP & CFO of Hypertherm. AWS volunteer since 2007, AWS Treasurer 2015–2022, and recipient of the National Meritorious Award in 2024.

Attendees can visit two Minnesota facilities:

• Ballantine Inc., 840 McKinley Street, Anoka, MN — real-world manufacturing operations and modern production environments.
• BTD Manufacturing, 21350 Cedar Avenue, Lakeville, MN — advanced metal fabrication operations and modern manufacturing processes.

Each tour earns 3 additional PDHs.