Take Advantage of the GFA's Early Bird Registration Discount by August 6th!
Registration Deadline: August 27th
Attending the GFA’s semi-annual meetings is one of the most valuable benefits of membership, and it provides priceless opportunities to connect with top-quality fabricators and suppliers, learn from industry experts, solve problems, and have fun doing it. With meeting highlights, including the Supplier Expo, presentations, and multiple discussion forums, attending GFA meetings is a must.
Program Highlights
Presentations are open to all attendees, including spouses and guests.
Tuesday, September 28th
13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi 
Kris “Tanto” Paronto, Inspiring Hero of the 2012 Benghazi Attack & Subject of the Book and Major Motion Picture,13 Hours
Kris Paronto tells the insider account of the attacks in Benghazi. The 13 hours of assault dramatically impacted the lives of those serving in Benghazi and resulted in the loss of an American diplomat, Ambassador Stevens. Paronto shares the details of the moments, decisions and results of the historic day.

Kris Paronto—“Tanto” as he is affectionately known in security contracting circles—is a former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and private security contractor who has deployed throughout South America, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa. He also worked with the U.S. Government’s Global Response Staff conducting low profile security in high threat environments throughout the world.

For more than 10 years, Paronto has been involved in security operations in hostile environments and his team’s involvement with the September 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. special mission in Benghazi, Libya was paramount in the saving of U.S. lives and assets. He is a proven leader, teammate and friend to those who have deployed with him, and a devout father to a loving wife and two remarkable children.
Wednesday, September 29th
Moving Forward
Taylor St. Germain, ITR Economics
2021 is well underway with all the normal challenges and ongoing uncertainties. There are also opportunities ahead. We will explore all the risks and the opportunities stemming from the pandemic, government responses, consumer trends, market opportunities, and lagging sectors. These forces will shape the trends ahead and drive our tactics and strategies. We will also:


  1. Assess business demand for the rest of 2021 and into 2022.
  2. Look at a system of key leading indicators that are proven to signal cyclical turns in the economy and markets.
  3. Present market outlooks and discuss issues that have an impact on your profitability via resource allocation, budgets, expectations, and strategic planning.
  4. Present the unintended consequences of the massive stimulus programs that will impact businesses in the years ahead.
  5. Assess interest rate and other financial market trends, including the latest information on stock market performance. 
Discussion Sessions
Welcome Breakfast and Orientation
Tuesday morning will begin with a Welcome Breakfast and Orientation, open to all meeting attendees, to kick off a day of committee meetings and discussion sessions. New members and first-time attendees, along with their spouses, are encouraged to attend this orientation for a brief overview of the GFA, and for a chance to meet a few people before the general meeting.
CEO Luncheon
On Tuesday, we will again have a CEO Luncheon Meeting, featuring a roundtable discussion of items that would be of interest to 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 $65 per person fee in addition to the meeting registration fee to attend this session.
Fabricator Forum
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 Tuesday afternoon session is required, but there is no additional fee. Attendance will be limited to Fabricator members of the GFA.
Breakfast Roundtable Discussion
On Wednesday morning, participate in a lively discussion of timely and relevant topics with other GFA members, and learn what they are doing to address the issues that are keeping them up at night. All attendees, including spouses and guests, are welcome!
Registration Fees

Early Bird Member Registration Fee: $495 per person
Early bird registration ends August 6th, when the price will increase to $545 per person.

Reduced Member Registration Fee: $295 per person
To be eligible for this rate, at least 2 other representatives from your company must be paying the full fee.

Spouse Registration Fee: $225 per person
Spouses who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.

Table Top Fee: $200
Meeting Location
Dallas Marriott Downtown
The Dallas Marriott Downtown is located in downtown Dallas, and is approximately 20 miles (30-minute drive) from DFW International Airport.

Address:
650 North Pearl Street
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 979-9000

At the Dallas Marriott Downtown, attendees are treated to eye-popping views of the Downtown skyline, and can experience the radiant energy of their well-appointed guestrooms. 

The Downtown Dallas area is continuously growing with a beautiful art scene, urban green spaces, fine dining, and luxurious shopping. See the hustle and bustle of professionals by day, and experience nightlife and entertainment after dark. Click here for more information on Dallas.
Accommodations
Make yourself at home in one of the guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and desks.

Our discounted group room rate is $229 plus state and local taxes per night.

The check-in time is 3:00pm and the check-out time is 11:00am.
Optional Activities
Golf Tournament
Thursday, September 30th at 8:00am

The Golf Tournament will begin at 8:00am on Thursday, September 30th at the Cowboys Golf Club, located just outside Dallas.

Etched into the rolling hills of Grapevine, Texas, the Cowboys Golf Club is distinguished as the first and only NFL-themed golf club in the world, and one of the region's only all-inclusive world-class resort golf properties.

Designed by award-winning architect Jeff Brauer, the Cowboys Golf Club's spectacular championship golf course blends seamlessly with its pristine natural setting.

Cost Per Person: $200*
Club Rental: $65*

*Price includes transportation to and from the course. The golf fees are non-refundable as of September 10th.
Sports Complex Tour
Thursday, September 30th at 8:15am

Join us for an exciting day of sports and fun on Thursday, September 30th beginning at 8:15am.

The tour starts with a stop at the brand new Globe Life Field. Once you arrive, you will tour the stadium that is home to the Texas Rangers and was built with tradition and intimacy in mind.

From Globe Life Park, it is off to a sporting fan's delight - the AT&T Stadium, home of the multiple World Champion Dallas Cowboys. Attendees will enjoy a guided tour of this impressive facility (the largest domed facility in the world) and its various features.

Attendees will return to the hotel by 1:00pm.

Cost Per Person: $150*

*The tour fee is non-refundable as of September 10th.
Activity Fees
CEO Luncheon: $65 per person*

Golf Tournament: $200 per person*

Golf Club Rental: $65 per person*

Sports Complex Tour: $150 per person*

*The activity fees are non-refundable as of September 10th.
Spouse Activities
The spouse registration fee includes admission to all sessions unless otherwise noted on the program. This includes all general sessions and presentations, continental breakfasts, lunch on Wednesday, and all cocktail receptions. Please note that spouses who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.
GFA Committees
All the committees will meet from 10:00am to 11:30am on Tuesday, September 28th. 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 for the recruitment of new members, reviews and recommends for approval the applications of potential members, and encourages participation in GFA activities.

The Program and Locations Committee selects future meeting programs, speakers, and locations for the GFA’s semi-annual meetings.

The Technical Committee develops technical content of interest to GFA members for delivery through webinars, newsletter articles, and meeting programs.
Ground Transportation
Hotel Parking: The hotel offers valet parking at a rate of $30 per night. The cost for daily parking is $18.

Airport Shuttle: The hotel does not offer shuttle transportation. Private transportation can be arranged through Premier Transportation.

Taxi: Taxi services are available at the hotel and airport. Taxis offer a $37 Flat Rate for each trip either originating at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and terminating within the Dallas Market Center area or originating within the Dallas Market Center area and terminating at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

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.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I go to the meetings?

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.
What is the proper attire?

For all committee meetings and general sessions, the attire is casual. The cocktail receptions are informal.
What will the weather be like?

The daytime temperature in Dallas is expected to average about 84°F.

Evening temperatures are expected to average about 63°F.
If you have any questions, please contact Pete Lance or James Wolfington in the GFA office at 610-971-4850 or info@gasketfab.com