2026 FGIA Annual Conference Speakers to Touch on Innovation, Coatings, Fire Exposure Research

Operating under the theme “Building Tomorrow through Research, Innovation and Security,” the event will feature a comprehensive lineup of speaker presentations, research updates and panel discussions designed to provide must-have insights for industry professionals. Join FGIA for these sessions covering innovation trends, recent fire exposure research and PVDF-based coatings as well as insights from keynote speaker and cybersecurity expert Brian Scott (ClearTone Consulting) by registering now.

Innovation Panel Focused on Automation and Product Simplification

Join the next installment of FGIA’s innovation panel, which will explore the latest innovation trends shaping the fenestration industry and will focus on practical strategies for driving meaningful change. The session entitled “Innovation in Factories and Offices | Enhancing our Workforce with Automation and Core Product Simplification” will give participantsinsights into product redesign and other key learning points essential for long-term success. The discussion will also highlight real-world examples of these strategies in action. Panelists will include Dr. Kamran Abedini (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) and Joe Altieri (FlexScreen), led by moderator Ray Garries (MITER Brands).

Updates from the UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute

Panelists from the UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute will present “How Window Materials Perform Under Fire Exposure.”Large outdoor fires, including wildfires, can cause significant damage and destruction to the built environment. Codes, standards and guidance documents provide requirements and recommendations for mitigations to fuels and structures to resist exposures from wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires. According to research, window performance is a key factor in a structure’s survivability during exterior fire exposures. This presentation will provide updates from an experimental campaign to investigate the performance of window components, namely glazing types and frame materials, during a structure-to-structure fire spread scenario. Panelists Daniel Gorham, Gavin Horn and Joseph Willi from FSRI will lead this session.

Industry Input During Wildland Urban Interface Research Town Hall

Conference participants will also have the opportunity to share their ideas for possible future research to be conducted by UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute. These expert panelists who will present the WUI focused-session will also host an interactive town hall designed to invite FGIA members to contribute to, and inform, future research directions. This open forum will provide an opportunity to hear brief updates from FSRI and to share ideas, questions and priorities for future research topics related to WUI fire exposures. Input will help guide research efforts that address emerging challenges, innovation and industry needs.

Kynar Sponsored Seminar | PFAS and Paint: The Role of PVDF Finishes

This session, led by Paul Lavallee (Kynar), will provide an overview of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)-based coatings, examining how they deliver quality appearance while meeting demanding durability requirements, including those outlined in AAMA 2605. Attendees will learn how manufacturing methods can influence the overall sustainability footprint of these coatings. Lavallee will also clarify the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) landscape, explaining why subcategories matter and how PVDF fits within the broader PFAS conversation. The session will conclude with an update on the current regulatory environment impacting PVDF-based coatings, equipping participants with the context needed to navigate evolving compliance expectations with confidence.

Conference Registration

Before February 14, FGIA members can register for the conference for a fee of $1,300 and non-members may register for $1,600. Spouses and guests may be included in events for a fee of $225 per person or may opt for the all-inclusive upgrade, which includes evening events and all meals, for $450 each.

For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.org/events.