Deadline for submissions: October 24, 2025

Thank You For Your Interest in Presenting

We are excited to build a strong program for stakeholders across the Building Enclosure Industry. You are invited to share your expertise and help educate the community on a wide range of enclosure-related topics. A list of suggested topics, drawn from previous attendee feedback, is provided below as a guideline—but you are welcome to submit abstracts beyond these areas.

Emerging Professionals Track

The 2026 conference will feature a dedicated track for emerging professionals who are building a strong foundation in Building Science and Building Enclosure. We invite abstracts at the foundational level that will resonate with a wide range of stakeholders—including architects, consultants, contractors, and manufacturers—who are early in their careers or have less than five years of experience or education.

Abstracts should focus on key learning topics drawn from the job task analysis and knowledge areas of the Certified Air Barrier Specialist (CABS) credential. Submissions must include topic overviews and learning objectives that align with the CABS knowledge criteria. A detailed list of these knowledge areas can be found in Appendix A.

Topics for Technical Presentations

• Case studies of projects with unusual or challenging design or construction conditions
• Climate-specific design guidance, including wall assemblies and vapor permeability of air barriers
• Troubleshooting common issues during construction
• Solutions to recurring challenges in design, construction, or inspection
• Research impacting air barriers or other building enclosure components
• Methods and details for typical conditions (e.g., roof/wall, window/wall, curtain wall and storefront, below grade, floor-to-floor transitions)
• Product durability and long-term performance
• Glazing, windows, and curtain walls
• Below-grade waterproofing
• Roofing systems and roof air barrier assemblies
• Overall building enclosure coordination
• Shop drawing submissions and reviews

Acceptance Guidelines

The Conference Committee will review all proposed topics and select courses for inclusion in the program. Presenters must be recognized industry experts and are expected to deliver unbiased, educational content in a classroom-style setting. Submissions that promote a specific product, company, or service will not be considered.

All presentations must comply with AIA standards, be 60 minutes in length, and include clear learning objectives. Please review the AIA Guidelines on Writing Learning Objectives before submitting. Panel discussions may also be proposed as part of your abstract submission.

If your abstract is accepted, you will be required to submit your completed presentation by April 14, 2026. The Conference Committee will review your materials and provide any feedback at that time.

When completing the submission form, please have your presentation titles, descriptions, and session objectives ready. The deadline to submit abstracts is October 24, 2025.

Presenters will be notified of final decisions shortly after the submission deadline. Each presenter (up to two session submissions allowed) will receive a complimentary conference pass, which includes access to all educational sessions, the exhibit hall, and the Board Meet & Greet.

Please note that travel and hotel expenses are not reimbursed.

Speaker Guidelines

• Speakers must provide an electronic copy of their handouts, using ABAA’s presentation template, for distribution to attendees enrolled in their session(s).
• Handouts and presentations must be free of self-promotion or product endorsements.
• Speakers must adhere to all conference deadlines.
• A copy of the presentation, using ABAA’s presentation template, must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the conference date.
• Failure to submit the presentation by the deadline will result in removal from the program.
• Speakers acknowledge that ABAA may make presentations publicly available (e.g., uploaded to the website) and distributed at ABAA’s sole discretion.