METALCON 2026
METALCON Announces 2026 Keynote Speakers
Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott and economist Kermit Baker will speak at the 2026 event in Orlando

Economist Kermit Baker (left) and former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott will speak at METALCON 2026 in Orlando.
METALCON announced former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Abbott and economist Kermit Baker as keynote speakers for its 2026 conference in Orlando.
Abbott will present “Nothing Can Stop You” on Oct. 7, focusing on resilience, adaptability and overcoming challenges. Born without a right hand, Abbott played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball and pitched a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 1993.
Baker, former chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, will deliver a construction market outlook on Oct. 8. His presentation will address economic conditions affecting project demand, bidding activity and construction sector growth over the next year.
“Jim’s story will inspire attendees to think differently about adversity, resilience and possibility, while Kermit’s outlook will provide timely market intelligence to help inform business decisions for the year ahead,” said Judy Geller, METALCON vice president of trade shows.
METALCON is scheduled for Oct. 7-9, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, with pre-show workshops beginning Oct. 6. Registration is now open at www.metalcon.com.
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