2025 Marine Fabricators Conference offers lively education
The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) held the 2025 Marine Fabricators Conference Jan. 9–11, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Despite unseasonably cold temperatures in the state and travel delays or cancellations due to nationwide snowstorms, the conference was full of high energy, friendly camaraderie and knowledge sharing.
Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed a week of industry education. Roughly one-third of all those present were first-time participants.
Educational events included the annual Fabricator Olympics, an upholstery-based Showoff Showcase, various small-group seminars, the Tools, Tips and Tricks contest and roundtable discussions. In-depth presentations covered topics such as zippers, scissors, dodgers, high-end enclosures, selling the professionalism of a fabrication business and moving a shop from traditional to digital.
As in previous years, the conference opened with a costumed welcome party. This year’s theme was “Cartoon Characters,” and attendees enjoyed a fun evening on the USS Lexington. The top three costumes, as voted by partygoers, earned prizes.
The conference closed on a high note at the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards dinner. There are 11 categories under which fabricators won an Award of Excellence or an Outstanding Achievement, and one Award of Distinction was given in two categories: Upholstery and Exterior. Those winners were “Fisherman & Fishes Love Diamonds Also!” from Southern Stitch Canvas & Upholstery LLC and “ZAR Formenti 75” from Bootssattlerei Hallier, respectively.
The 2026 conference will be Jan. 8–10, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga.