AWS Welding Summit 2026 runs under the theme "Improving Welding Competency" — August 5–7, 2026 at The Woodlands Resort in Texas.

The American Welding Society's Welding Summit 2026 runs August 5–7, 2026 at The Woodlands Resort in The Woodlands, Texas, bringing together welding and fabrication leaders for three days of education, compliance training, and networking under the theme "Improving Welding Competency."

A core focus of the 2026 program is breaking down compliance across ASME "B" Codes, ASME BPVC Section IX, ASME BPE, API 582 and 1104, and AWS D1.1, D1.6, and D18.1. Sessions cover welding procedures, welder qualification, nondestructive examination (NDE), and heat treatment in practical terms designed to be applied from the drawing board through execution.

Attendees earn up to 18 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) — one PDH per hour of conference attendance — applicable toward AWS recertifications, renewals, and other professional requirements.

The summit features two keynotes. Dwayne Mattox, a Field Application Engineer for Miller Electric, has spent his life in welding — from underwater work to rocket engines — with a detour serving as an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army. Patrick Van Fleet, an automation specialist for Airgas' North Central region and AWS member since 2019, transitioned from Marine Corps infantry service after an injury in Afghanistan to earn degrees in automotive and industrial technologies plus welding, specializing in D1.1 structural welding.

The 2026 summit is chaired by Bill Newell of Euroweld, with co-chairs Gary Lewis (Lewis Reliability Resources), John Stoll (ARC Specialties), Mike Lang (Bilfinger), Scott Witowski (Republic Testing Laboratories), and Shanen Aranmor (Weld Like a Girl). Margaret Jamborsky, AWS Director of Conferences, and Jonathan Joseph, Conferences Manager, lead the AWS staff team.

Session topics extend beyond codes to inspection of critical assets, workforce development, and complex fabrication challenges — trends highlighted in Welding Summit 2025's attendee-rated programming.

Early-bird pricing (before July 12th) is $550 for members and $650 for non-members, rising to $650/$750 for regular registration. Student registration is $100, and guest passes (receptions only) are $100. Full registration includes access to all sessions, materials, meals, and networking events.