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Heat Treat 2025, the 33rd Heat Treating Society Conference and Exhibition, will take place October 21–23, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, bringing together professionals, researchers, and suppliers from across the industry. In this guest column, Benjamin T. Bernard, president of Heat Treat Society and VP of International Sales at Surface Combustion, discusses what attendees can expect — from an expansive exhibit floor and technical program to new introductory coursework and student competitions.

This insightful piece was first released in Heat Treat Today’s September 2025 Annual People of Heat Treat print edition.

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Preparations are in full swing for the 33rd Heat Treating Society Conference and Exhibition, taking place October 21–23, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan. Organized by the ASM Heat Treating Society, the event remains a key gathering for professionals working in thermal processing and heat treating technologies.

This year, Heat Treat 2025 will once again be co-located with three major events: the International Materials, Applications, and Technologies (IMAT) Conference & Expo and ASM’s Annual Meeting; the 12th International Conference on Residual Stresses (ICRS-12); and the AGMA Motion + Power Technology Expo (MPTE). Together, these events deliver unmatched value, offering attendees access to expanded technical content, broader networking opportunities, and a combined exhibit floor of more than 600 companies.

Two keynote speakers have already been confirmed, representing both industrial and academic leadership. Dr. Sridhar Seetharaman, CEO of EPIXC, Professor at Arizona State University, and Joint Affiliate at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Justin Persinger, Senior Manufacturing Engineer of Manufacturing Process Analysis at General Motors, will share insights from their respective sectors.

The technical program will cover a wide array of important topics, including atmosphere technology, microstructural development, green/low-carbon processes, residual stress, quenching, surface engineering, vacuum processing, and simulation and modeling. The conference continues to emphasize the integration of cutting-edge research with real-world industrial applications.

New in 2025, the Heat Treating Society is launching Heat Treat 101: An Introductory Course on the Fundamentals of Heat Treating. This foundational course is designed for those new to the field or those seeking a refresher on the basics. Topics include principles of steel heat treating, heat treating of aluminum alloys, heat treatment furnace design and operation, and an introduction to the metallography of heat-treated components. Attendees will gain essential insight into materials behavior and processing techniques used across the industry. The course is open to all registered attendees of IMAT 2025, ICRS 2025, and Heat Treat 2025.

Student engagement continues to be a focus. The Fluxtrol Student Research Competition provides an opportunity for students to present research to panels of industry professionals, while the HTS Strong Bar Competition challenges them to optimize heat treatment for strength and ductility. These initiatives help foster the next generation of heat-treating experts.

The event also features several opportunities for community building, such as the Women in Manufacturing and Engineering Breakfast, co-hosted by HTS, ASM International, and AGMA. Open to all attendees, this popular event highlights and celebrates the contributions of women in the field. Other networking highlights include the ASM Leadership Luncheon, the Awards Dinner, and the Evening Networking Event at the Waterview Loft.

The exhibit hall will showcase more than 600 companies through the co-located conferences. Activities on the show floor include a VIP industry tour, Solutions Center presentations, a Welcome Reception, and dedicated programming for students and early-career professionals. With its rich technical content, strong industry partnerships, and inclusive community events, Heat Treat 2025 promises to be a must-attend event. To register and learn more, visit heattreatevent.org.

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For more information: Contact Heat Treat 2025 at heattreatevent.org.