GF Building Flow Solutions
GF Building Flow Solutions

May 27, 2026

Building North America’s Future: Industry Leaders Unite at GF Flow Symposium 

By Courtney Hieb

The inaugural GF Flow Symposium in early May welcomed 700 attendees at the historic Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Builders, developers, contractors, engineers, and executive leaders in North America gathered to explore the future of flow solutions across residential, commercial, infrastructure, and industrial markets.  

As the first flagship industry event hosted by both company divisions—GF Building Flow Solutions, home of the Uponor brand, and GF Industry and Infrastructure Flow Solutions—Flow Symposium was designed to address real-world challenges and bring forth solutions that make projects faster, smarter, and more reliable. 

The multi-day gathering featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and nearly 40 breakout sessions focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping construction, infrastructure, water, energy, AI, data centers, workforce development, prefabrication, and building systems. The event also included a hands-on Product Showcase, giving attendees the opportunity to experience GF tools, systems, services, and innovations up close. 



Featured speakers and topics included:   

  • Elliott Eisenberg, Ph.D., of Graphs and Laughs, LLC: 2026 Economic Forecast Fun: An Entertaining Look at the Current Economy and the Impact on Future Business   
  • Hosted Panel with Fred Mills of B1M: Megaproject Construction Trends: Harnessing Opportunities, Anticipating Challenges, and Maximizing Results   
  • Dustin Demetriou, Ph.D.: The Twin Engines Driving the AI Era: Innovation and Impacts of Semiconductors and Data Centers  
  • Panel Discussion with Senator Joe Manchin: Working Together to Build the Future of America: How Government, Manufacturing, and Construction Partnerships are Propelling Purposeful Growth  
  • Catherine Hunt Ryan of Bechtel: Enabling AI Infrastructure  
  • Adam Tarr of Hoffman Construction: The New Productivity Paradigm: Offsite Prefabrication with Onsite Construction Coordination  
  • Michael Beatty of Nalco Water: Maintaining AI Amid Major Challenges: Water Treatment for Data Centers and Chip Fabrication  

Other session topics included:  

  • Contamination of Our Potable Water Supplies: What Does Our Future Hold?  
  • Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: Tackling Labor Shortages and Retaining Skilled Tradespeople  
  • Water-Energy Nexus 101: The Push, Pull, and Interconnectedness of Water and Energy  
  • From South Texas to North Dakota: What a Data Center Boom Reveals About Our Readiness  
  • Offsite Trends: Integrating Kitting and Prefabrication with PEX to Accelerate Productivity and Gain a Competitive Advantage  
  • Meeting Modern Building Systems Demands: Emerging Applications for High-Performing Piping Solutions  
  • Protecting Cycle Times While Reducing Risk: Creating Intelligent Single-Family Plumbing Designs  

Shaping the Future of Flow 

A prevalent theme throughout the event was working together to discuss the challenges being faced in the built environment from labor shortages to compressed timelines and reduced budgets. 

GF Building Flow Solutions Americas President John Reutter stated that regardless of the industry challenges, meeting complex stakeholder dynamics and delivering projects that will drive long-term value is essential. By leaning on the right tools, solutions, and partners, the industry can overcome these challenges and set a new standard for the future of North America. 

“One company isn’t going to single-handedly solve the challenges we are facing in the built environment,” Reutter declared. “This event was about building relationships, celebrating innovation, and coming together as one to move the industry forward.” 

Relationship Building 

Beyond the educational sessions, GF Flow Symposium created meaningful opportunities for connection. Attendees joined networking receptions, explored the Product Showcase, and closed out the event with a Nashville-inspired “Hoedown Flow Down” celebration featuring live music and activities. 

“It was our goal to bring together some of the best minds in the North American construction industry to collaborate on how the future of North America will be built,” said James Jackson, Head of Americas, GF Industry & Infrastructure Flow Solutions. “It exceeded our expectations, and we’re so proud to have hosted this fantastic event.” 

Chris Hartwick, General Manager of Canada at GF Building Flow Solutions Americas echoed the sentiment, affirming that events like this are crucial, as construction leaders are managing complex projects with fewer resources. 

“GF Flow Symposium reinforced the power of connection and offered proven real-world examples of how success can be driven with the right products and solutions,” he said. 

For more insight and takeaways from the event: 

  • Watch the recap video below
  • Read this article from Plumbing & Mechanical 
  • ​Hear from Mechanical Hub and John Reutter, President of GF Building Flow Solutions Americas (beginning at 1:42) 

GF Flow Symposium 2026