Spring 2025 Meeting
March 26-28, 2025
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina VillageCape Coral, Florida
One of the most valuable benefits of GFA membership is attending our semi-annual meetings. These events bring together top-tier fabricators and suppliers, provide insights from industry experts, and create opportunities to tackle shared challenges – all while fostering valuable connections.
The special Quality Control & Compliance Program is designed to provide you with the latest insights, strategies, and best practices in manufacturing quality control and regulatory compliance. Sessions will address key topics such as Prop 65, REACH/RoHS, PFAS, cyber security, inventory and equipment inspections, and implementing systems that drive value for your company.
Program highlights include:
• Expert speakers, panels, and interactive sessions
• The Supplier Expo
• Engaging discussion forums
• Ample networking opportunities with industry leaders
This meeting also features a new, optimized schedule that maximizes your opportunities to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights.
Early Bird Registration Ends: February 5, 2025
Registration Ends: February 24, 2025
The best-selling author of nearly 50 sports books, Ross Bernstein is an award-winning peak performance hall of fame business speaker who’s keynoted conferences for Fortune 500 companies on all seven continents and has been featured on CNN, ESPN, Fox News, and “CBS This Morning,” as well as in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today.
Ross’ program is all about the DNA of what makes champions in sports so unique and how that relates to business. It’s based on a series of books he wrote in which he was able to interview more than 1,000 professional athletes and coaches that all had one thing in common — they were all members of championship teams. In his research he concluded that the same metrics and characteristics that were common among champions in sports, were also common among peak performers in business. There are reasons certain teams win consistently, whereas others don’t… and Ross explains why. It’s based largely on the “Good to Great” concept of how the best companies are able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack through servant leadership, by creating a culture of excellence, by developing deeper relationships, and by giving extraordinary customer service. Ross weaves sports stories, about the DNA of champions, along with stories of companies who he has worked with around the world — and shares best practice ideas on ways to overcome disruption, while ultimately building stronger relationships. At the core of his message is the simple fact that we like to do business with people who we trust, who we like, and who just “get it” — CHAMPIONS.
In an engaging, provocative, and visually entertaining style, Ross will use inspirational stories and poignant life lessons from the world of sports to show attendees how to:
• Create a “culture of excellence” by giving extraordinary customer service
• Generate momentum by utilizing the “currency of karma”
• Follow their moral compasses to win “the right way,” with respect, ethics, and integrity
• Be better leaders and create more “buy-in” by embracing change and failure
• Evolve from “order takers” to “trusted partners” by enhancing the quality of their relationships
Each interactive workshop will be presented multiple times on Thursday, March 27th so you can select the sessions and schedule that work best for you.
Presented By: Jonathan Davis, Charlie Keeley, Amber Nelson, and Dave Laschansky with CGR Products
Presented By: GFA Members
Presented By: TBD
Presented By: Kelly Eisenhardt, Blue Circle Advisors
Presented By: Jim Goepel with CMMC Information Institute
Exhibiting at the GFA Spring 2025 Meeting is the ideal way to connect with top-quality fabricators and converters. The cost-effective tabletop display format offers direct exposure to decision-makers without having to arrange for elaborate displays and logistics.
Table Top Fee: $225
Thursday morning will begin with a Welcome Breakfast and Orientation, open to all attendees, to kick off a day of speakers, panels, and discussion sessions. New and existing members, first-time attendees, spouses, and companions are encouraged to attend this orientation for a brief overview of the GFA and to network with other attendees.
On Thursday, we will have a CEO Luncheon Meeting featuring a roundtable discussion of items that interest CEOs. Attendance will be limited to CEOs and senior officers with P/L responsibility. A maximum of two people per member company may attend, provided that they both meet the provisions. There is a $80 per person fee in addition to the meeting registration fee to attend this session.
Enjoy an opportunity to discuss the issues that are of specific interest to Fabricators and that are most relevant to you and your company with your peers in the industry. Pre-registration for the Thursday morning session is required, but there is no additional fee. Attendance will be limited to Regular (Fabricator) members of the GFA.
Early Bird Registration ends on February 5th when the price increases to $735.
To be eligible for this rate, at least two other representatives from your company must pay the full member registration fee. Early Bird Registration ends on February 5th when the price increases to $530.
Spouses/companions who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.
*Fees are non-refundable after March 14th. Cancellations prior to that date will be refunded in full, less a $40 per registration processing fee.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village is 20 miles, approximately 45 minutes by car, from the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Meyers. The resort sits on the waterfront and boasts a daily dolphin boat tour. Enjoy a variety of dining options, stroll through the Promenade Shops, work out at the state-of-the-art fitness studio, or float in the pools at this intuitively designed hotel.
Our discounted group rate is $269 plus state and local taxes per night. There is an additional $30 plus tax per room, per night resort fee, which includes the following:
• Daily 2-hour dolphin sightseeing tour
• Daily Yoga on the lawn from 8:00 am – 9:00 am
• Bicycle Rentals
• Enhanced Internet Service in guest rooms
• Access to Recreation Center including tennis courts, bocce ball, table
tennis, fitness center, steam rooms and sauna
• Covered Vehicle Parking
If you’re having trouble securing a hotel room, please contact the GFA office for assistance!
Check-in Time: 4:00 pm
Check-out Time: Noon
Address: 5951 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33914
239-541-5000
Cape Royal Golf Club in Cape Coral, Florida, features a stunning 27-hole course designed by Gordon Lewis. Known for its natural beauty, the course offers five tee settings to challenge players of all levels, while nearby preserves attract local wildlife like storks and herons. Located just a short drive from the beaches, this championship caliber course provides a serene escape with the amenities of Southwest Florida nearby.
Cost Per Person: $125*
Club Rental: $60*
Note: Golfers will be responsible for their transportation to and from the golf course. All golfers should arrive at the course by 12:30 pm.
*The golf fee is nonrefundable after March 14th.
The Sanibel and Captiva Islands, raised from the sea by the Calusa Indians, are rich in history and adventure. Discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, they were once a haven for pirates like Gaspar. Today, they’re known for their beautiful temperatures, sands, and views. Point Ybel, now “Old Town Sanibel,” offers charming streets and historic ice cream shops. The Kinzie brothers sparked a boom in 1921 by building docks and a ferry service.
Attendees will return by 5:00 pm.
Cost Per Person: $225*
Note: Please dress appropriately, including comfortable walking shoes.
*The tour fee is nonrefundable after March 14th.
The spouse/companion registration fee includes admission to all sessions unless otherwise noted on the program. This includes all speaker sessions, breakfasts, lunches, and receptions. Please note that spouses/companions who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.
The GFA Mentor Program focuses on improving the initial experience of new GFA members and first-time meeting attendees. Active members of the GFA’s Membership Committee will help to familiarize new members and first-time attendees with the organization, facilitate engagement in GFA activities, and answer questions. A strong personal connection helps build relationships and connections, and makes it easier for new members and first-time attendees to actively participate. Mentors will reach out to first-time attendees prior to the meeting, and connect onsite to assist with introductions. If you are a first-time attendee who would like to be assigned a mentor, please select this option when registering.
If you would like to serve as a mentor, please contact info@gasketfab.com for more information.
All committees will meet concurrently from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm on Wednesday, March 26th. All attendees are welcome!
The Communications Committee considers enhancements to the GFA’s website, newsletter, social media program, and other tools to promote the GFA and deliver information to members.
The Membership Committee develops and implements initiatives to recruit new members, reviews and recommends for approval the applications of potential members, and encourages participation in GFA activities.
The Program & Content Committee selects future meeting programs and speakers for the GFA’s semi-annual meetings, Gasketing/Converting Expos, and special content meetings.
The Technical Content Development Committee develops technical content of interest to GFA members for delivery through webinars, newsletter articles, and meeting programs. Please note this committee’s meeting does not include technical presentations.
Hotel Parking: Attendees of the GFA’s Spring Meeting will receive complimentary covered self-parking.
Uber/Lyft: The ride-sharing apps, Uber and Lyft, are available for local transportation, and can be downloaded to your smart device via the app store on IOS and Android products.
Taxi service: The cost for one-way taxi service between the Southwest Florida International Airport and the resort is approximately $52.
Meetings are open to all attendees except as noted on the schedule. Please note that Manufacturer Representatives are NOT permitted to attend any GFA functions.
For all committee meetings and general sessions, the attire is casual. The cocktail receptions are informal.
The daytime temperature in Cape Coral is expected to average about 81°F. Evening temperatures are expected to average about 60°F.
The GFA and its members have recently been targeted by third party entities offering to provide unauthorized and in some instances, fraudulent services, including the sale of member and attendee lists or assistance with travel arrangements. These vendors are neither affiliated with nor authorized by GFA to provide any services. Their offers should be treated as scams and ignored. Some of the groups engaged in these unauthorized commercial solicitations may also engage in illegal phishing or send messages with malware, posing risks to your systems if links are clicked.
Please be advised:
• The GFA will never sell member or attendee information.
• The GFA does not engage any third parties to handle hotel reservations or other travel services for meeting attendees.
• Any group claiming to offer such lists or services is not associated with the GFA and does not have access to accurate data.
If you receive suspicious communications or have concerns about the legitimacy of a solicitation, please contact the GFA Office at info@gasketfab.com or +1-610-971-4850.
