Tuesday 12/1 – Activity Day, Networking and Certified Professional Dinner
The week begins Tuesday afternoon with two optional excursions. The Dallas Cowboys Golf Club will host us for lunch followed by 18 holes. We introduced this format last year and it proved to be a great way to start Showcase. We will again play a scramble with eight foursomes. Those who prefer to play their own ball are welcome to do so and we will place those groups toward the back of the field. The Cowboys Golf Club is a premier experience with excellent food and drink (soft) that is included in your fee! Their range is also top notch so arrive early!
For those looking for a little more excitement, we will spend the afternoon at Texas Gun Experience, a premier indoor shooting range located in Grapevine. Participants will have the opportunity to become better acquainted with a variety of pistols in a safe, professionally supervised environment. Beginners will receive a detailed safety briefing followed by private instruction using a single pistol type, providing a controlled introduction to firearm operation, handling and safety. More experienced shooters will have access to eight lanes featuring a variety of pistols and shooting experiences. Texas Gun Experience is conveniently located just five miles from the hotel, making for an easy afternoon excursion.
Several social gatherings will also take place Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, providing additional opportunities to reconnect with longtime colleagues, meet new people and enjoy some informal time together outside the conference program. The Certified Professional Program will kick off on Tuesday night with a networking pizza night at 6 PM. All past and present certified professionals are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday 12/2 – PE Showcase ’26 Day One
N1 12/2/26 8 AM Networking Light Breakfast
Stop by Showcase Hall for a light breakfast and coffee to get the day started.
W1 12/2/26 8:30 AM Showcase Hall Demos & Network
W2 12/2/26 8:30 AM Industry Resources “Bring Your Coffee”
There has been a lot of work done by those that have come before us. Knowing where to go to find answers to questions is half the battle. In this 25-minute “coffee drop in session,” you will earn about standards and notes so you can become the go to person in your company. This session is devoted to exposing you to a variety of resources in a fast paced 25-minute session.
W3 12/2/26 9:00 AM – 10:20 AM Water System Basics: How Municipal Systems Work – Deep Dive
Developed and refined by civil engineers Alan Ambler, PE and Brian Swanson, PE this highly rated session offers a clear, accessible introduction to municipal water and wastewater systems. It begins with an overview of how local governments are structured and how they govern, budget and procure infrastructure products. From there, the session covers the key components of water and wastewater systems, including water sources, transmission, treatment, disinfection, distribution, wastewater collection, force mains and treatment processes. Perfect for those new to the industry or anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of how municipal systems operate.
W4 12/2/26 9:00 AM – 10:20 AM Concepts & Vocabulary: HDPE 101 and Beyond – Deep Dive
A long-standing favorite, this highly rated session is the industry’s go-to introduction to HDPE; built and refined over 14 years. Covering both basic and intermediate concepts, this long form session gives attendees the vocabulary and foundational knowledge needed to confidently navigate the HDPE world. Through the use of engaging videos and visuals, key topics are clearly illustrated to help newer professionals get up to speed and seasoned attendees reinforce core principles. Whether you’re just getting started or need a refresher, this is the HDPE fundamentals course not to miss.
N2 12/2/26 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Networking
Stop by Showcase Hall for a cup of coffee and some networking. Raffle #1 Hosted by Footage
W5 12/2/26 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM Bypass: Know Before It Fails
HDPE pipe is the most commonly used material for sewer bypass projects. For many municipal owners, a bypass project may be their first opportunity to see HDPE operating in their community. Because bypass systems are temporary and often installed under demanding conditions, proper planning, design and execution are critical. This session will explore real-world bypass projects, including lessons learned from successful installations and system failures. Whether you work with contractors, municipal owners or engineers, this session will provide practical knowledge to help you ask better questions and understand what a properly designed HDPE bypass system looks like.
W6 12/2/26 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM Municipal Perspectives
The Annual edition of “Municipal Perspectives” returns with fresh insights as two municipal HDPE users share their HDPE stories. One is an experienced HDPE user while the other is newer to the technology. Together, they’ll offer practical, real-world perspectives from two different points along the HDPE adoption curve. What convinced them to move toward HDPE, what have they learned along the way and what would they tell a utility considering the same move?
N3 12/2/26 Noon – 1:20 PM Plenary Awards Lunch
Take time to celebrate achievement. The Alliance’s annual award lunch sheds a light on some of the great work being produced in North America. Hosted by Infra Pipes
W7 12/2/26 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM Inspection with Testing
Understanding the basic principles of HDPE pipeline construction observation will benefit all industry professionals who spend time in the field. Topics covered in this fast-paced session include butt fusion and electrofusion observation, fusion technician training requirements, DataLogger report review and the three types of testing conducted. This brand-new class offers practical insights from the field and is ideal for anyone involved in contractor/owner communication, project oversight, quality assurance or construction management.
W8 12/2/26 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM Specialty HDPE Products
Under the theme “You don’t know until you know,” the Alliance highlights some of the most innovative and practical HDPE products from our members; tools, gear and specialty products that make job sites safer, more efficient and more productive. Once you learn about these products, you’ll be able to talk competently to your customers about them. Featured products include HDPE sweeps, mechanical couplings, the DataLogger (Cloud) squeeze tools, bead trimmers, MJs, mechanical transitions, repair fittings and unique molded and electrofusion fittings.
W9 12/2/26 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM FEATURED SESSION Data Center Pipes, Machines & Cases
The data center opportunity continues to impress. This panel session by Andy McElroy of McElroy Manufacturing, who has been leading the company’s efforts to educate engineers, data center developers and Big Tech on how HDPE, PE-RT and PPR-CT are improving data center operations, particularly the cooling of high-value equipment. Joining Andy will be Chris Lofton (Ferguson) and Ben Rigsbee (Nupi) two industry professionals with significant experience over the past five years selling into and working directly with data center projects.
N4 12/2/26 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM Networking
Stop by Showcase Hall sponsored by WL Plastics for a cup of coffee, the raffle and some networking. Raffle #2 Sponsored by R&L Mfg.
W10 12/2/26 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM McElroy: Let’s Build It!
The market impact of the McElroy products and technology continues to impact HDPE projects in significant ways. Learn more about fusion machines, DataLogger, Vault, side bend testing, pipe stands and where and when they are needed on the jobsite.
W11 12/2/26 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM Transmission Mains
This session has never been presented at a Showcase. It will cover what transmission mains are, the role they play in a modern water system, what materials have traditionally owned this market and why HDPE is made to order for this pipe application.
N5 12/2/26 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Craft Beer in Showcase Hall
Join all delegates in Showcase Hall for a craft beer, raffle #3 and some networking. Hosted by WL Plastics. Raffle #3 Hosted by Footage
N6 12/2/26 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM California vs Oregon Wine Dinner
Sponsored by Improved Piping Products, Inc.
N7 12/2/26 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Whiskey Dinner
Sponsored by Integrity Fusion
Thursday 12/3 – PE Showcase ’26 Day Two
N8 12/3/26 8:00 AM Networking Breakfast
Stop by Showcase Hall for a hot breakfast and coffee to get the day started. Sponsored by AGRU.
Th1 12/3/26 8:15 AM Showcase Hall Demos & Network
Th2 12/3/26 8:15 AM – 8:50 AM Profile Wall Makes a Move: Bring your coffee!
Profile wall HDPE uses engineered wall geometry to provide large-diameter strength with less material, offering municipalities corrosion resistance, durability, easier installation and competitive costs. Its proven performance, lighter weight and long service life in non (low) pressure applications is allowing it to gain broader acceptance for stormwater, sewer and drainage applications. Bring your coffee!
Th3 12/3/26 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM DEEP DIVE HDPE vs DIP & PVC
This session is a variant of the annual talk comparing the major pipe types. This session provides a practical comparison of HDPE, PVC and ductile iron pipe, examining material properties, installation methods, common failure mechanisms and misconceptions to help attendees better understand the strengths, limitations and appropriate applications of each system, while providing practical insights for evaluating pipe materials and making informed project decisions.
Th4 12/3/26 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM OPEN
Th5 12/3/24 10:30 AM – 11:50 AM FEATURED SESSION Major Markets Defined
Developing an understanding of how HDPE is used across the nine major pipe markets is valuable for three key reasons. First, HDPE pipe dominates in more than half of the markets where pipe is used in North America and around the world. Second, recognizing which materials HDPE competes with helps engineers make informed pipe selections during design. Finally, examining how and why HDPE is chosen reveals the features and benefits that make it stand out; longevity, ease of installation and overall cost-effectiveness. This session will present each market, highlight competing pipes by those markets and present real-world case studies that illustrate these advantages in action.
N9 12/3/26 Noon – 1:00 PM Annual Meeting Lunch Meeting
Join the Alliance Board of Directors and Executive Director Peter Dyke for this important luncheon session featuring the annual Alliance meeting & update. Dyke will highlight key accomplishments from the past year, unveil plans for 2027 and share progress on several initiatives that reflect the Alliance’s continued growth and evolution. This session is included with basic registration and will be conducted in accordance with Alliance Anti-Trust guidelines.
Th6 12/3/26 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM L to XXL HDPE Pipe – This Market Should Be Ours
This session dives into the many facets of 48″ and larger HDPE pipe including XXL pipe. Becoming conversant in the vocabulary, the design considerations and the successful projects will make you a more qualified HDPE professional. Special focus will be given to the strategic value of showcasing our capabilities in Big Pipe—because when the user community sees we can handle large diameters, it builds confidence in our solutions across the board, particularly in smaller sizes.
Th7 12/3/26 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM Contractor Perspectives
What better way to learn about HDPE projects than through the unique lense of a contractor. In a panel format the Alliance will talk with open cut and trenchless contractors about bidding, plan sets, fusion ops, owner issues and construction challenges.
Th8 12/3/26 2:00 PM – 3:10 PM Texas Growth Cycle – DEEP DIVE
Last year was the first time we explored HDPE use in a single state. Now in its second year, this popular session reviews what is the state of the Texas HDPE market. Texas, being the second largest HDPE market for HDPE pipe, deserves study because other states could become the next Texas. This Deep Dive session will look at cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas as well as some of the smaller cities and where they are on their use of HDPE pipe. Let’s learn together how and why these cities make the decision to use HDPE.
Th9 12/3/26 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM OPEN
N10 12/3/26 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM Networking
Stop by Showcase Hall for a cup of coffee, a raffle and some networking. Raffle #4 Hosted by R&L Mfg.
Th10 12/3/26 4:00 PM – 5:10 PM Case Studies 9 x 7 PM FEATURED SESSION Real Projects, Real Insights
Now in its fourth year, this fast-paced and popular session features nine real-world HDPE projects, each presented in just seven minutes by the people who worked on them. These case studies showcase unique applications that highlight the distinct advantages of HDPE over legacy materials. From design to execution, each example reveals how and why HDPE was chosen and how it performed. If you want a rapid-fire look at HDPE in action across multiple sectors, this is the session to attend.
