METALCON 2026 Keynote Speakers Announced

[1]At the only event where the metal construction industry comes together to make decisions, build partnerships, and shape what’s next, METALCON’s keynotes will deliver timely perspectives on resilience, uncertainty, and opportunity this October in Orlando, Fla.

Kermit Baker, a leading economic voice in the built environment and former chief economist for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), will present “Building Through Uncertainty: A Market Outlook for the Construction and Design Industries” on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 9:00 a.m. His keynote will provide insight into how today’s market conditions may affect backlog, bidding environments, project starts, and strategic business decisions over the next 12 months.

At AIA, Baker’s work includes the “Work on the Boards” survey, the source of the widely followed Architecture Billings Index, coordinating the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel, and writing regular economics columns for AIA Architect. Baker also served as project director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University from 1995 to 2021. He holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the same field.

Inspirational speaker and Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Jim Abbott will deliver “Nothing Can Stop You” on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 9:00 a.m., followed by a meet and greet. Through his extraordinary personal and professional journey, Abbott’s keynote will offer an inspiring perspective on perseverance, adaptability, and embracing the circumstances that make each person and team unique.