Deadline for submissions: October 24, 2025
Thank you for your interest in presenting at ABAA’s Annual Building Enclosure Conference & Trade Show.
The 2026 Conference will be held on May 5-6, 2026 in Minneapolis, MN.
We are excited to assemble a strong program for industry stakeholders in the Building Enclosure Industry. Please accept this invitation to help educate the industry on various topics related to the building enclosure. A listing of potential topics can be found below as a guideline that is based on previous attendee feedback, but you are not limited to what topic you submit.
The 2026 conference will have a track dedicated to emerging professionals seeking to create a solid foundation in Building Science and Building Enclosure. As part of this new track, we seek abstracts that would be considered at a foundational level that would appeal to a wide range of stakeholders such as architects, consultants, contractors, and manufacturers that are either beginning their career or have less than 5 years of experience or education. The key learning topics for the emerging professional track that we are seeking abstracts for are based around the job task analysis and key knowledge areas of the Certified Air Barrier Specialist (CABS) credential. Please note that topic overviews and learning objectives should align with the knowledge criteria for CABS. A copy of the knowledge areas can be found in Appendix A:
- Building Science
- Building Enclosure Fundamentals
- Introduction to air barrier materials, assemblies, and systems, and related material testing requirements
- Building Codes for air, water, and vapor and industry standards
- General Design considerations
- Air barrier installation and testing for a variety of air barrier technologies
If you are submitting a technical presentation that is not foundational, here is a listing of potential topics that have been identified as priorities:
- Case studies of projects with unusual or difficult design or construction are strongly encouraged
- Climate specific design guidance regarding wall assembly and vapor permeability of air barrier
- Trouble shooting of common issues during construction
- Solutions to common issues with design, construction, or inspection
- Research conducted that impacts air barriers or other 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
- Below grade waterproofing
- Roofing systems, roof air barrier assemblies
- Overall building enclosure coordination
- Shop drawing submissions and reviews
The Conference Committee will review the proposed topics and selected courses. Conference presenters should be industry experts who intend to provide unbiased information in a classroom setting. Presentations designed to promote a specific product, company, or service will not be selected. Presentations must meet the AIA standard and be 60 minutes in length.
Please note that panel discussion are an option for abstract submissions.
If your abstract is accepted you will be required to submit your completed presentation by April 14, 2026. This will be reviewed by the Conference Committee and any feedback will be sent to you.
When completing the form, please prepare your presentation titles, descriptions, and session objectives for the proposal you plan to submit before going any further. The deadline to submit is OCTOBER 24, 2025.
Speakers will be notified of final decisions shortly after the submission deadline. Each presenter (able to submit up to two sessions) will receive a complimentary conference pass, which includes access to all education sessions, the exhibit hall, and the welcome reception.
Travel and hotel expenses are NOT reimbursed.
Deadline for submissions: October 24, 2025
SPEAKER agrees to provide and comply with the following (among others):
SPEAKER shall provide an electronic copy (using ABAA’s presentation template) of his/her handout(s) to ABAA for distribution to attendees enrolled in his/her session(s).
SPEAKER shall ensure handouts and presentation are free of any self-promotion or product endorsements.
SPEAKER shall adhere to conference deadlines.
SPEAKER shall submit a copy of their presentation (using ABAA’s presentation template) a minimum of three weeks in advance of the conference date.
SPEAKER shall not be allowed to present at the conference if a copy of his/her presentation is not submitted by deadline.
SPEAKER acknowledges that ABAA shall make his/her presentation publicly available (ie. upload to website) and available for distribution at ABAA’s sole discretion.