METALCON 2026 expands training, code credits and Spanish-language learning in Orlando

METALCON will mark its 35th anniversary Oct. 7-9, 2026, in Orlando with a bigger education program built around hands-on demos, market outlooks and new Spanish-language training. The event is adding a Latino Track and Florida contractor continuing education credits as it pushes practical learning for the metal construction industry.

Why it matters: - METALCON is using its 35th anniversary to lean harder into workforce training, code knowledge and field-ready education for the metal construction sector. - The expanded program is aimed at contractors, fabricators, architects, engineers, installers, designers and specifiers who need practical skills and market intelligence. - Florida contractors can earn continuing education credits while also getting technical training tied to metal construction work. - The new Latino Track expands access for Spanish-speaking professionals in an industry that is growing more multilingual.

What happened: - METALCON announced an expanded education and training program for Oct. 7-9, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. - The event will include hands-on clinics, expert-led sessions, keynote presentations, industry outlook discussions, five learning centers, Florida Contractor Continuing Education Credits and a new Latino Track. - Pre-show workshops begin Tuesday, Oct. 6. - Registration is open at METALCON's website.

The details: - METAL Mastery Clinics, presented by the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance, will focus on installing standing seam metal panels, metal shingles and metal roofing retrofit systems. - The clinics are designed to improve material selection, panel forming, installation techniques, efficiency, quality and building owner satisfaction. - The METALCON Training Zone, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams | MetalVue, will offer hands-on demonstrations using mock-ups and materials including painted steel, aluminum, zinc, copper and other specialty materials. - John Sheridan of Sheridan Metal Resources and his team will lead the Training Zone demonstrations in English and Spanish. - Audience testing and product purchase options will be available in the Training Zone. - Jim Abbott will deliver the keynote “Nothing Can Stop You” on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m., followed by a meet-and-greet. - Abbott’s keynote will focus on resilience, gratitude, perseverance, adaptability and leadership. - Kermit Baker will present “Building Through Uncertainty: A Market Outlook for the Construction and Design Industries” on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. - Baker’s session will examine economic forces affecting project activity, demand, pipeline trends, sector growth, backlog, bidding environments, project starts and strategic business decisions over the next 12 months. - The outlook programming also includes “Outlook: 2027 — The Future of Metal Construction,” a forecast panel on material costs, codes, supply chain pressures, economic conditions and jobsite realities. - Another session, “Metal Construction Code Updates: What’s Changed and What It Means,” will cover recent and upcoming code and standards changes and their effects on design, specification, fabrication and installation. - The five learning centers are the Contractor Business Success Center, Installation & Techniques Learning Center, Metal Performance Learning Center, Tools & Technology Zone and Design District. - The Contractor Business Success Center will cover profitability, operations and workforce development. - The Installation & Techniques Learning Center will cover installation best practices, safety and field challenges. - The Metal Performance Learning Center will cover building performance, resilience, codes, standards and compliance. - The Tools & Technology Zone will focus on emerging technologies, software, automation and productivity tools. - The Design District will offer AIA-accredited education for architects, designers and specifiers focused on design innovation and the use of metal in the built environment. - METALCON says its education program is dedicated exclusively to the application of metal in design and construction. - The event will offer dozens of Florida Contractor Continuing Education Credits toward license requirements. - The new Latino Track will feature Spanish-language sessions and Spanish-language hands-on demonstrations in the METALCON Training Zone. - Latino Track sessions 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” and “Why Engineered Roofing Systems Matter More Than Ever.”

Between the lines: - The event is positioning education as the main draw, not just the exhibit floor. - The split between business, technical and code-focused sessions suggests METALCON is targeting both shop-floor execution and management decisions. - The Spanish-language track signals an effort to widen participation and make advanced training more accessible across the industry.

What's next: - METALCON will run in Orlando from Wednesday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. - Pre-show workshops start Oct. 6. - Additional details and registration are available at METALCON's website.