May 3-5, 2022
San Diego, California
Location
Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside
San Diego, California
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AWS Contact
Sarai Claveria
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sclaveria@aws.org
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overview
We invite you to join us for the Shipbuilding and Aluminum Conference, where industry experts will deliver the latest research and innovations in both the shipbuilding and aluminum industries.
Aluminum is one of the most versatile and widely used metals in manufacturing. However, its unique chemical and physical properties can also make it one of the most challenging to weld. We’re addressing the critical importance of welding in the shipbuilding industry during this three day conference by providing current information on emerging technologies developed for shipbuilding applications.
Register to attend today and come away with new knowledge, techniques, and PDHs.
keynote speakers
Shipbuilding Keynote

Lee Kvidahl
Retired, Manager, Welding Engineering
Ingalls Shipbuilding
Read Presentation Overview & Bio
Keynote Overview: Reflections of a Career in Shipbuilding: Not Just Arcs and Sparks: I will attempt to highlight many of the technologies that have been newly developed or have evolved over the past 50 years to enhance the shipbuilding processes. The technologies will include process changes, material developments and other systems that were unavailable at the beginning of my career.
Bio: Lee Kvidahl retired from Ingalls Shipbuilding after 43 years of employment in this shipyard. He retired from the position of Manager of Welding Engineering. During his employment, he was involved with the introduction of many innovative technologies for the construction of US Navy and US Coast Guard ships. Some of these include the certification of HSLA 80 and the approvals for friction stir welding of aluminum and hybrid laser welding of steel. He also served many years as the Chairman of the National Shipbuilding Research Program Welding Panel and was the President of AWS for the term of 1993-94.
Aluminum Keynote

Jerry Mirgain
Aluminum Global Product Line Manager, ESAB (Retired)
Consultant, Safra Spa
Read Presentation Overview & Bio
Keynote Overview: Transitioning from Welding on Ships to Welding Aluminum: Will touch on some history of Aluminum Welding on ships and other Aluminum welding. Will discuss the evolutionary improvement of Aluminum welding base metals, filler metals, gas etc.; of process control and equipment sophistication; of tested design, application, techniques etc. And will emphasize the importance of this Aluminum Conference to hopefully update and improve understanding of Aluminum welding in the fabrication process.
Bio: Girard (Jerry) A. Mirgain is a life member of the American Welding Society. Until retirement he was, a founding and Fellow Member of the Welding Technology Institute of Australia serving on their Aluminum Research panel.
He holds an Engineering Management degree from University of Missouri School of Mines and has been in the welding industry for 47 years.
As a sailor and former US Coastguardsman, with continued interest in ships and shipbuilding, he has visited and worked with ship building facilities in Australia, Asia, the Middle East and in USA.
Jerry retired from full time activity in 2012 as ESAB’s Aluminium Global Product Line Manager. He remains a consultant/representative for Safra Spa. an Italian based manufacturer of Aluminium and Copper based filler metals, serving world markets.
organizing committee
Shipbuilding Conference Chair

Kevin Roossinck
Manager, Welding Engineering
Ingalls Shipbuilding
Read Bio
Kevin Roossinck is the manager of Welding Engineering at Ingalls Shipbuilding. A graduate of Ferris State University’s Welding Engineering program, he has over 16 years of experience as a welding engineer in the U.S. Navy shipbuilding industry and has been involved in many project including the design, acquisition, installation and commissioning of a multi-million dollar thin steel panel line. He has served on the AWS A5 Filler Metal Committee for over 10 years.
Aluminum Conference Chair

Andrew Pfaller
Segment Manager – TIG Systems Solutions Division
Miller Electric
Read Bio
Andrew Pfaller is a Segment Manager at Miller Electric Manufacturing LLC, a global leader in welding equipment manufacturing. Based on a foundation of real-world welding, Andrew achieved a BS in Welding Engineering Technology prior to starting his career as a Welding Engineer at Miller in 2012. Having been involved in various applications and new product development roles, he continues to expand his career through different industry facing activities including sitting as Vice Chair of both the AWS D17-K subcommittee and D17-Main committee.
Shipbuilding Conference Co-Chair

Lee Kvidahl
Retired, Manager, Welding Engineering
Ingalls Shipbuilding
Read Bio
Lee Kvidahl retired from Ingalls Shipbuilding after 43 years of employment in this shipyard. He retired from the position of Manager of Welding Engineering. During his employment, he was involved with the introduction of many innovative technologies for the construction of US Navy and US Coast Guard ships. Some of these include the certification of HSLA 80 and the approvals for friction stir welding of aluminum and hybrid laser welding of steel. He also served many years as the Chairman of the National Shipbuilding Research Program Welding Panel and was the President of AWS for the term of 1993-94.
Aluminum Conference Co-Chair

Ken Johnson
Senior Welding Engineer
Vigor
Read Bio
Ken Johnson has 40 years of shipbuilding experience.
- Vigor Industrial Shipyard Seattle WA Weld Engineering and testing
- Vigor MILT Major Team Lead Ship Production Technologies
- Vigor NSD Shipyard Delegate
- Administer weld performance qualification tests for Vigor Marine/Fab/Shipyards, testing new and incumbent employees for MIL –STD-248, AWS and ASME Section IX qualifications
- Welding procedure development WPS/PQR’s NAVSEA , ABS , USCG
- South Seattle College – Professor maritime welding program
- Maritime Shipyard Welding program, in partnership with Vigor Industrial, prepares students with the complete certifications needed to be employable to employers in the maritime trades. Shipyard-specific welding and fitting skills to maintain employment.
- American Welding Society National First Vice Chair of the AWS D3 Committee for Welding in Marine Construction. (Current position)
- American Welding Society National Aluminum Hull standard, D3.5 (Current Position)
- American Welding Society National Past District Director 19 Alaska, Washington, Oregon, BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA past term 2016
SCHEDULE
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Registration Open & Exhibitor Setup
Bayside Foyer
SHIPBUILDING PROGRAM
Download PDF of Shipbuilding Schedule >
7:30 am – 4:00 pm |
Registration Open
Bayside Foyer |
7:30 am – 4:00 pm |
Exhibit Hours
Catalina / Silvergate |
8:30 am – 4:00 pm |
Sessions
La Playa |
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm |
Attendee Lunch
Catalina / Silvergate |
8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Registration Open
Bayside Foyer |
8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Exhibit Hours
Catalina / Silvergate |
9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Sessions
La Playa |
11:45 am – 11:30 am |
Attendee Lunch
Catalina / Silvergate |
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm |
Happy Hour
Catalina / Silvergate |
ALUMINUM PROGRAM
Download PDF of Aluminum Schedule >
8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Registration Open
Bayside Foyer |
8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Exhibit Hours
Catalina / Silvergate |
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
Sessions
La Playa |
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm |
Happy Hour
Catalina / Silvergate |
7:30 am – 12:00 pm |
Registration Open
Bayside Foyer |
7:30 am – 1:00 pm |
Exhibit Hours
Catalina / Silvergate |
8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Sessions
La Playa |
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm |
Attendee Lunch
Catalina / Silvergate |
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
Exhibitor Tear Down
Catalina / Silvergate |
registration & Pricing
Registration
Open: September 2021
Ends: May 2022
Includes:
• Morning & Afternoon Breaks
• 2 Lunches
Technical Program
Earn up to 24 PDHs
Pricing |
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CONFERENCE EARLY BIRD
(before January 3):
Shipbuilding OR Aluminum Sessions
Select One |
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CONFERENCE REGULAR:
Shipbuilding OR Aluminum Sessions
Select One |
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CONFERENCE COMBO EARLY BIRD
(before January 3):
BOTH Shipbuilding & Aluminum Sessions |
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CONFERENCE COMBO:
BOTH Shipbuilding & Aluminum Sessions |
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for exhibitors

Exhibit Booth
$– per tabletop space
* Limit of 15
Includes:
6′ Table
One full conference registration
Option to purchase 2 booth attendant registrations at $525 per attendee
Company logo on Conference website
Company recognition in final program
Why Exhibit with AWS?
Exhibiting with the American Welding Society allows for increased exposure of your company among vendors in the welding industry. Through exhibition, you’re able to establish name recognition and product identity amongst competitors. Our events bring in qualified professionals interested in welding trade right to you. This provides a valuable enabling your business to increase sales and forge new partnerships. Participating in AWS conferences allows you to network with industry peers, find the best solutions for business growth, and obtain broader access to lenders within different fields in the welding industry.
For More Info on Exhibiting
Sarai Claveria
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sclaveria@aws.org
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(*Exclusive)
Benefits Include:
- Company logo on tote bag* given to each attendee. Production is not included.
- Company recognition on “Thank You” signage at the conference
- Company recognition in the Final Program (confirmation by September 6, 2021).
- Company name and link displayed on conference “Welcome” Web page and included on all promotional emails
(*Exclusive)
Benefits Include:
- Company name on lanyards*. Production is not included
- Company recognition on “Thank You” signage at the conference
- Company recognition in the Final Program (confirmation by September 6, 2021)
- Company name and link displayed on conference “Welcome” Web page and included on all promotional emails.
(*Exclusive)
Benefits Include:
- Opportunity to provide a giveaway item* to each attendee at the registration desk
- Company logo on one easel sign by the registration desk
- Company logo on each Attendee’s Name Badge
- Company recognition on “Thank You” signage at the conference
- Company recognition in the Final Program (confirmation by September 6, 2021)
(*Exclusive)
Benefits Include:
- Company name on pens*. Production is not included
- Company recognition on “Thank You” signage at the conference
- Company recognition in the Final Program (confirmation by September 6, 2021)
- Company name and link displayed on conference “Welcome” Web page and included on all promotional emails.
(*Limit of 3)
Benefits Include:
- Company name and logo on signage placed at refreshment break area for duration of the break (sponsor’s choice of days available on a first come, first served basis)
- Company logo on napkins during break
- Company recognition on “Thank You” signage at the conference
- Company recognition in the Final Program (confirmation by April 2022)
- Company name and link displayed on conference “Welcome” Web page and included on all promotional emails
(*Limit of 2)
Benefits Include:
- Company name on drink tickets given to each attendee
- Branding on login page
- Acknowledgement during the Happy Hour as the sponsor(s) of the event
- Company name and logo on signage at the Happy Hour
- Recognition as sponsor on “Thank You” signage at event and Final Program (confirmation by April 20, 2022)
- Company name displayed included on all promotional e-mails
For More Info on Sponsorships
Sarai Claveria
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sclaveria@aws.org
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Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside
+1 619 224.3621
4875 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
Enjoy the best of Southern California at this bay front hotel. The Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside is located in the popular Point Loma neighborhood, directly across from the Point Loma Naval Base. Take the stress out of getting to and from the hotel with complimentary shuttle service to San Diego International Airport and the Cruise terminals. Whether your trip to San Diego is for business or leisure a typical day here is atypically refreshing.
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