Join Us in Orlando
Expo Hours
| Tuesday Oct 15 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Wednesday Oct 16 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Thursday Oct 17 | 9 AM — 4 PM |
Venue
Orange County Convention Center
9800 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
About the Expo
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to Orange County Convention Center in October 2024. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event
September 13, 2023|3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (ET)
Breaking Boundaries: Empowering Women in Welding
Join us for an inspiring panel discussion and networking event celebrating women breaking barriers and diversifying the workforce. This engaging session will feature a panel discussion where you can learn from and connect with influential women dedicated to training females and creating economic opportunities through careers in welding. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, gain valuable insights, and be part of the movement toward a more inclusive and empowered workforce.
PANELISTS
Event Speakers
Hannah Wolf
Project Coordinator, Fickett Structural Solutions
Hannah Wolf is the sole female faculty member in Madison Area Technical College’s Metal Fabrication and Related Metals Department in Wisconsin. Her expertise encompasses various subjects, including entry-level welding and machining instruction, 2D and 3D CAD modeling classes, blueprint reading, and OSHA 10 safety protocols. As an active participant in the Future Leaders program with the American Welding Society, Hannah has raised awareness about women’s involvement in the welding industry and promoted the various opportunities it offers. Apart from her teaching and outreach endeavors, she is a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and a project coordinator for Fickett Structural Solutions, a company specializing in structural steel inspection.
Consuelo P. Lockhart
Founder and Executive Director, Latinas Welding Guild Inc.
Consuelo Poland, a Guatemalan-born functional artist and welder, founded the Latinas Welding Guild in October 2017 to empower women personally, creatively, and economically through welding. Having seen firsthand the struggles of the Latino Community, she formed the Guild to create a space of equal access and education for women, particularly minority women, in a heavily male-occupied field. The Latinas Welding Guild exists to help low to moderate-income Latinas and non-Latina women gain access to welding skills and certification preparation.
Stephanie Hoffman
American Welding Society Spokesperson, Retired Welder and Welding Educator
With more than two decades of experience in the welding industry, Stephanie boasts a diverse background as a skilled pipe welder, educator, and previous proprietor of Underground Metal Works, a reputable fabrication company and welding school. She is enjoying her retirement while pursuing further engineering and industrial management education through an MBA program. Since 2019, she has been associated with AWS, actively participating in career and welding trailer tours to motivate and empower women in the industry.
Chloe Hudson
Welder/Fabricator
Chloe Hudson, known as @ArcWeldingAngel on Instagram, had a childhood dream of becoming a plastic surgeon. However, she reconsidered after exploring tuition costs and ended up in the welding industry. Chloe worked in Nuclear generation and Hydroelectric Turbine refurbishment for ten years before becoming a welder at Joe Gibbs Aerospace, Huntersville, N.C., which she describes as her dream job. Chloe has recently completed her journey to become an AWS Certified Welding Inspector.
