Call For Abstracts
Deadline for submissions: October 9, 2026
Thank You For Your Interest in Presenting at the First Joint ABAA/RAiNA Conference
For the first time ever, ABAA and RAiNA are partnering to offer an expanded educational event between two associations representing the building enclosure industry. This event will have over 600 attendees with an estimated 36 presentations over two days. We are excited to assemble a strong program for industry stakeholders in the Building Enclosure Industry.
What We’re Looking For
The Conference Committee is seeking educational presentations that advance the building enclosure industry while providing meaningful learning opportunities for attendees.
We welcome proposals in two broad categories:
Foundational Education
These presentations would be at a foundational level and would appeal to a wide range of stakeholders such as architects, consultants, general contractors/construction managers, sub-trades, and manufacturers that are either beginning their career or having less than 5 years of experience or education. Abstracts should focus on key learning topics drawn from the job task analysis and knowledge areas of the Certified Air Barrier Specialist (CABS) credential. Submissions must include topic overviews and learning objectives that align with the CABS knowledge criteria. A detailed list of these knowledge areas can be found in Appendix A.
Key Foundational Topics include:
- Building Science
- Building Enclosure Fundamentals
- Introduction to materials, assemblies, systems, and related material testing requirements
- Building Codes for air, water, vapor, ventilation, drying and industry standards
- General Design considerations for wall assemblies
- Installation of air barriers, insulation systems, cladding attachments, fire blocking and cladding systems
- Site testing for a variety of air barrier technologies and rainscreen systems
- Building Enclosure commissioning
Technical & Advanced Education
We also encourage submissions covering intermediate and advanced topics that help experienced professionals solve challenges, improve performance, and stay current with industry developments.
Topics Include:
- Case studies of projects with unusual or difficult design or construction are strongly encouraged
- Climate specific design guidance
- Troubleshooting and solutions for common design, construction, inspection, and field installation issues
- Research conducted that impacts related building enclosure components
- Specific methods and details for typical situations, including roof/wall, window/wall, curtainwall and storefront, below grade, floor to floor, etc.
- Product durability and long-term performance
- Glazing, windows, curtain walls
- Rainscreen design
- Cladding Systems and Cladding attachments
- Below grade waterproofing
- Roofing systems, roof air barrier assemblies
- Overall building enclosure coordination
- Shop drawing submissions and reviews
- Content relevant to construction managers and trade contractors such as mock-ups, pre-installation meetings, sequencing and air barrier interfaces.
Acceptance Guidelines
The Conference Committee will review all proposed topics and select courses for inclusion in the program. Presenters must be recognized industry experts and are expected to deliver unbiased, educational content in a classroom-style setting. Submissions that promote a specific product, company, or service will not be considered.
All presentations must comply with AIA standards, be 60 minutes in length, and include clear learning objectives. Please review the AIA Guidelines on Writing Learning Objectives before submitting.
Panel discussions may also be proposed as part of your abstract submission.
When completing the submission form, please have your presentation titles, descriptions, and session objectives ready. The deadline to submit abstracts is October 9, 2026
Presenters will be notified of final decisions by the second week of December 2026. Each presenter (up to two session submissions allowed) will receive a complimentary conference pass, which includes access to all educational sessions, the exhibit hall, and the Board Meet & Greet.
If your abstract is accepted, you will be required to submit your completed presentation by April 16, 2027. The Conference Committee will review your materials and provide any feedback at that time.
Please note that travel and hotel expenses are not reimbursed.
Speaker Guidelines
- Speakers must provide an electronic copy of their handouts, using ABAA’s presentation template, for distribution to attendees enrolled in their session(s).
- Handouts and presentations must be free of self-promotion or product endorsements.
- Speakers must adhere to all conference deadlines.
- A copy of the presentation, using ABAA’s presentation template, must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the conference date.
- Failure to submit the presentation by the deadline will result in removal from the program.
- Speakers acknowledge that ABAA may make presentations publicly available (e.g., uploaded to the website) and distributed at ABAA’s sole discretion.
Abstract Submittal Form 2027 Joint Conference
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