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LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM
LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM
1st Symposium: July 27-30, 2025
2nd Symposium: November 6-9, 2025
The American Welding Society’s (AWS) Leadership Symposium is designed to help strengthen the skills and abilities of rising leaders who commit to taking action to lead and drive impact at their Section and District level, or even more so, the Society.
Since its inception in 1999, over 700 AWS volunteers have participated in this annual event at our World Headquarters in Doral (Miami), FL, and many have moved on to hold prominent committee roles within AWS and have served on the AWS Board of Directors.
To ensure participation is a representation of the Society’s diverse membership, there are several ways in which AWS Members can partake in this experience and are as follows: As an AWS District Representative, Student Representative, Section-Sponsored Representative, Future Leader Participant, or Board of Directors Participant.
Nominations can be put forward by anyone, such as peers, instructors/educators, and even from the candidates themselves (self-nomination) by use of the form provided in the specified representative section below.
Student representative candidates must apply even if a nomination has been submitted to support their participation.
AWS District Representatives
Each of the 22 Districts selects one individual to represent their District at the AWS Leadership Symposium for each cohort. Candidates must be a current AWS Member.
District Representative Nomination Forms must be submitted by February 28, 2025 for both Leadership Symposium cohorts. If you have questions about the Symposium, please contact your AWS Section Chair and/or District Director.
Click here to complete the AWS District Representative Nomination Form
AWS Student Representatives
The AWS Membership Committee selects five AWS Student Representatives for each AWS Leadership Symposium cohorts. Students whose activities have produced outstanding school and community achievements and have exhibited exceptional leadership skills are encouraged to apply. Applicant qualifications and eligibility requirements can be found on the AWS Student Representative application link provided below.
Student Representative application must be submitted by February 28, 2025.
Click here to complete the AWS Student Representative Application
Each student candidate must have an application submitted. Although not necessary, student nominations can be put forward by peers, instructors/educators, or AWS Chapter Advisors by using the nomination form below.
Click here to complete a Nomination Form for a Student Applicant
AWS Section-Sponsored Representatives
A limited number of slots is reserved for members whose AWS Section has committed to sponsoring their participation. Section-Sponsored slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please connect directly with your Section leadership to express your interest in participating in the AWS Leadership Symposium and explore the possibility of serving as an AWS Section-Sponsored Representative.
If a Section commits to sponsoring one of its members, the Chair or dedicated Section leader must contact Lori Ortiz at lortiz@aws.org to confirm an open spot or get placed on the waitlist.
AWS Future Leader Participants
AWS initiated the Future Leaders Program to develop the next generation of leaders and to aid in the continuing efforts to ensure a diversity of viewpoints reflective of the entire membership, especially the next generation of welding industry professionals. The AWS Future Leaders Program offers opportunities for Early Career Members of the welding community to interact with industry leaders and contribute to AWS at the highest level of governance.
Click here to learn more about the AWS Future Leaders Program
AWS Board of Directors Participants
If an incoming AWS Board of Directors member has not participated in the AWS Leadership Symposium experience, they are invited to join the annual event.