Momentum building for Wire Expo 2026 in Milwaukee debut
By all indications, Wire Expo 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will carry on—and likely surpass—the very satisfying results of the 2024 event at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The following pages look at the educational focus of the event, but in terms of being the “go to” place for suppliers and manufacturers to meet, the elements are all in place for a vibrant experience, and advance interest has been strong.
“We’re going to have approximately 200 companies represented in more than 160 booths,” predicted Shannon Timme, WAI director of sales. She noted that some 10% of exhibitors will be brand new. “At this time, we have about 50 booths left to fill, and that’s being done on a first-come, first-served basis, so if a company wants to be there, it’s time to act.”
Timme also pointed to the Baird Center in Milwaukee as a major draw, especially because it makes co-location possible. Wire Expo and the Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE) will run side by side, creating a one-stop, unified experience under-one-roof. Conference sessions and exhibits will share the same timing:
Wednesday, May 6, from 9 am to 5 pm, and Thursday, May 7, from 9 am to 3 pm. Day 1 will be capped off with the Opening Reception (6:30–8:30 pm, 4th Floor Ballroom Terrace) featuring refreshments, connections that matter, and a view of the Milwaukee skyline.
Education at the core: Wire Expo 2026 accelerates progress
Wire, innovation and industry connect
One constant remains as the wire and cable industry continues to navigate rapid technological change, evolving customer demand and an increasingly complex manufacturing landscape: progress depends on people who are well-trained, well-informed, and connected to one another. That belief is embodied in the content that will be presented at Wire Expo 2026 when it is hosted at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 6-7, with pre-conference education on May 5, and an expanded, integrated approach to learning.
Organized by the Wire Association International (WAI), the Wire Expo Operations Summit & Exhibits
has long served as a meeting point for wire and cable manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, plant managers, R&D professionals and industry executives. The scope of the educational programming for 2026 has been intentionally designed to meet attendees where they are. That means it is relevant for people who are new to the industry as well as for those managing complex operations or preparing their organizations for the next phase of digital transformation.
With the theme “Accelerating Progress Together,” Wire Expo 2026 reinforces the idea that learning is not a standalone activity, but a shared endeavor that strengthens individual careers, company performance, and the industry as a whole.
WAI’s John Markowski discusses Association advances at the WAI Theater at Interwire 2025. Wire Expo 2026 educational programs will all be held at the same show floor location.
ists. Attendees receive digital course materials that can be accessed before, during, and after the event, allowing them to revisit concepts after the course concludes.
The Fundamentals course (8:30 am to 4:45 pm) includes a continental breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch and a social hour at the end of the day, an informal setting that encourages discussion among peers and instructors alike.
Course registration is available as an add-on to Wire Expo registration and must be selected during the initial registration process. Advance rates are $275 for existing and joining members and $345 for non-members, with advance registration closing on April 24, 2026.
Learning: a reimagined experience
Wednesday–Thursday, May 6–7 | Baird Center
Get ready for a significant shift, because the entire 2026 Wire Expo conference program will take place directly on the exhibit floor in the WAI Theater. The goal is to create a seamless connection between education and the technologies, equipment, and services on display.
Relocating the sessions to the show floor removes traditional barriers between learning and application. Attendees can move easily between conference sessions and exhibitor booths, reinforcing the practical relevance of each presentation.
“This format reflects how people actually learn at events,” Markowski said. “You hear an idea, you see a solution on the floor, and you can have a conversation immediately. That integration is powerful.”
Simplified registration, expanded access
WAI has simplified event registration to support this integrated model. The base registration option—Full Show Floor Access—now includes both the conference sessions and the exhibits.
Advance rates are $125 for existing and joining members and $225 for non-members, with advance registration available through April 24, 2026. On-site registration will be available for the conference and
exhibit access, though educational add-ons must be registered for in advance.
For the latest information on Wire Expo 2026 go to the event website at wireexpo26.com.
2 days/2 takes: manufacturing excellence
The Wire Expo conference program is a single-track experience that ensures all attendees share a common educational journey. Sessions are 20 minutes in duration, with time for Q&As when schedules allow. Seating in the WAI Theater on the show floor is open on a firstcome basis, with standing-room overflow available around the perimeter.
Across two days, the program presents approximately 20 sessions organized around complementary themes:
Day 1: Integrated Manufacturing Excellence
What you make, and how you make it
Wednesday’s sessions focus on the physical manufacturing lifecycle, from raw materials through finished wire and cable. Topics include materials innovation, product development, quality management, and production efficiency—reflecting the interconnected decisions that drive performance on the plant floor.
The morning keynote address will be delivered by John W. Mellowes, CEO and fourth-generation family owner of Charter Manufacturing Company, Inc. His perspective on leadership, manufacturing excellence, and long-term investment provides a fitting anchor for a day centered on operational fundamentals and continuous improvement.
Wednesday will also see the presentation of Production Solutions in the WAI Theater. The schedule for that will be included in the event prequel in the March issue.
Day 2: Digital Transformation & Industry 4.0
How technology elevates and scales manufacturing Thursday shifts the focus to the tools and systems reshaping modern manufacturing environments. Sessions explore applications of artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, smart factories, predictive quality, and connected manufacturing systems—technologies that are increasingly critical to competitiveness and resilience.
The morning keynote will be presented by John Sviokla, Co-Founder of GAI Insights and an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School. His strategic lens will focus on how digital transformation is changing not only processes, but business models and organizational culture.
Thursday also includes WAI’s Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony, recognizing industry contributions and leadership.
The WAI Theater will host all 2026 technical presentations.
Going Deeper: Advanced Extrusion Workshop
Wednesday, May 6 | Milwaukee Hyatt Regency Wire Expo 2026 offers the Advanced Extrusion Workshop for professionals seeking an immersive, hands-on learning experience. This workshop sold out in its introduction in 2025.
Held from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Milwaukee Hyatt Regency—directly connected to the Baird Center—the workshop allows participants to attend the show opening and morning keynote before transitioning to an in-depth technical session.
The workshop is designed for extrusion professionals who want to move beyond theory and actively engage with process challenges. Co-instructed by Richard Chamberlain of Hawkins Consulting, LLC, and David Skinner of Joe Tools, Inc., the session builds on concepts introduced in the Fundamentals course but does not require prior participation.
Participants work in small groups to explore topics including material handling, tooling, screw optimization, and process troubleshooting. Extrusion screws and tooling provided by Lake Cable, LLC allow for close-up examination and discussion. A working lunch is included.
Prysmian North America COO Paul Furtado’s memorable 2024 Keynote Speech was on the Prysmian Operating System.
Wire Expo 2024 wrap-up
“This workshop is intentionally interactive,” Markowski explained. “The goal is to create an environment where participants can ask detailed questions, compare experiences, and walk away with insights they can apply immediately.”
Done - let charlotte know if changes made
Wire Expo 2024 will go down as one of the WAI’s best-ever, with two stirring keynote presentations, a healthy buzz on the exhibit show floor, the first “roadtrip” for the Association’s grandfather clock since 1948, and a glorious outdoor reception where being “flippant” was a thing.
By any measure, the return to Wire Expo to the Mohegan Sun Casino after eight years was a success. Held June 11-12, 2024, the event got very positive reviews from exhibitors. See p. 41. The event drew a total of 1,108 participants from 38 states/21 countries that took part in the event.
Attendance is limited to 60 participants, and the workshop is available as an add-on to Wire Expo registration. Advance rates are $225 for existing and joining members and $295 for non-members.
On June 10, the day before the official start of Wire Expo, WAI held its iconic Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course, which drew 130 participants. Once again, the collective expertise of the instructors was on full display, and it was much appreciated. See p. 57.
Yet maybe what was most noteworthy about this Wire Association event was the scope and focus of the presenters. Yes, there is always value in hearing the perspectives of industry veterans with hard-earned decades of experience, but there was also shared knowledge from younger speakers, people steeped in newer technologies that are likely to fuel future advances, such as use of AI and digitizing cable designs and manufacturing processes, as well as concerns, such as cybersecurity and physical security.
The full program began on Tuesday, June 11, with a brief welcome from WAI President Daniel Blais, but then, fittingly, the traditional schedule made way for a step
back in time. The annual clock-winding ceremony was held outside the office for the first time since the grandfather clock was presented to the Association in 1948 by British wiredrawers for help provided in World War II. The clock was wound by Dave Lane, plant floor supervisor, Northampton Machinery Co., part of the MGS Group. He spoke about how there has always been a special relationship between MGS and Northampton, noting that it is reflected by every machine made bearing a joint U.K./ U.S. flag emblem. He described the ceremony as an honor for him to take part as it is “a great tradition, one that our industry should be proud to continue.”
The first of two keynote presentations was then presented by H.O. “H” Woltz III, the chairman, president and CEO of Insteel Industries, who was also honored as the 2024 winner of the WAI’s Champion Award. He spoke about both the importance of staff (see p. 60) and the challenges that face the steel wire industry (see
Prysmian North America COO Paul Furtado made a powerful presentation on what it means/takes to commit to a system to optimize operational practices.
p. 36). Following Woltz’s presentation, Willem Sundblad, co-founder and CEO of Oden Technologies, spoke about AI’s role in manufacturing labor challenges. The day before, he spoke during the WAI’s board of director meeting, and the message at both was about the potential for AI
MEET YOUR PEERS. ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS. JOIN WAI TODAY.
The following list includes new WAI members, renewing members and those who became Platinum members through their companies.
Valentina Baraldo Administration Spemeccanica Srl
Amber Bonacci Director Technical Sales Charter Steel
Carlo D’Angelo Consultant Eurotek Srl
Marco Gatti Sales Manager DEM SpA
David Horton Plant Director Prysmian
Wade Krejdovsky
Senior Engineering Manager Primetals Technologies USA
Ashley McFaul
Manufacturing Engineering Technician Lee Spring
Pietro Mina Owner Promills Srl
Inside the Mill: Charter Steel Plant Tour
Wednesday, May 6
Wire Expo 2026 offers a limited-capacity plant tour of Charter Steel, providing attendees a rare opportunity to see large-scale ferrous operations up close.
Transportation is by bus from the Baird Center, with arrival at Charter Steel scheduled for 1:30 pm. The tour will last approximately two hours, returning participants to the convention center before the exhibit floor closes.
The cost for the event is $75 for members, $100 for non-members.
Potential tour attendees must register by the advance registration deadline. Participation is limited to 30 attendees, and all registrants will receive safety and PPE requirements in advance. As with all WAI-organized plant tours, photography is not permitted and participation is subject to approval from WAI and Charter Steel.
Education moving the industry forward
Wire Expo 2026 reflects WAI’s broader commitment to education as a strategic investment in the wire and cable industry’s future. By combining training and forward-looking conference content within a single, integrated event, Wire Expo creates an environment where learning translates directly into action.
Juan Sanchez Director Customer Technical Marketing Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc
Laura Vassena Foreign Office Manager Vassena Filiere Srl
Sydney Williams Chemist Gem Gravure Co Inc
“Education is how we accelerate progress together,” Markowski said. “When people understand the fundamentals, share ideas across disciplines, and engage with new technologies, the entire industry benefits.”
Advance registration is open through April 24, 2026. Full program details and registration information are available at wireexpo26.com.
Planning your experience
The Milwaukee Hyatt Regency serves as the official conference hotel, with two additional properties included in the Wire Expo hotel block. Indoor access connects the Hyatt to the Baird Center, simplifying movement between educational programs, exhibits, and networking events.
Additional details and booking links are available on the event website: wireexpo26.com.
Educational add-ons—including the Fundamentals course, Advanced Extrusion Workshop, and Charter Steel plant tour—must be selected at the time of initial registration and are subject to capacity limits. Wire Expo group registrations and volume discounts may be available by contacting registration@wirenet.org.
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Your family member’s photo could be on list of 2026 winners!
Scholarship applications are now being accepted by WAI’s New England, Midwest, Ohio Valley and Southeast chapters. Chapter members in good standing can nominate a family member, and the online process is easier than ever to do. Just scan the appropriate QR code below to start the process or contact WAI Project Manager Vanessa Lewis at vlewis@wirenet.org. Applications must be received by March 31.
Chapter members have proven to be most generous over the years in supporting the scholarship programs ... including many who do not have any potential applicants in their households to nominate.
The funds are largely raised by chapter events—most notably golf tournaments and annual meetings—as well as support from the WAI Foundation. The Association appreciates all those who have made this program so successful.
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EDUCATION
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Led by industry experts, and built for both individuals and teams, each course includes interactive content, a quiz, and a certificate of completion to track your progress.
New content is added regularly. Courses are offered separately or bundled; and WAI members get discounts.
Learn more with WAI https://wirenet.org/education/online-courses/ or contact: education@wirenet.org
