IAPMO

Following a week of intensive hands-on installations and testing, the Plumbing and Heating competition at has officially concluded!

Congratulations to the official podium finishers: Matthias Steiner, from Switzerland (Gold medal); Marcel Riener, from Austria (Silver medal); and Xiaorui Zhang, from China (Bronze medal). Medallions for Excellence were also awarded to 13 standout international competitors, including Team USA’s Charles Goede.

IAPMO was represented on stage during the Closing Ceremony medal presentations by Seán Kearney— International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation Managing Director—awarding Plumbing and Heating medallists together with Ms. Adele Tao, Leader for LIXIL Water Technology in Greater China. We are also proud to have supported the journey of Charles Goede alongside our US-based industry partners: the PHCC Educational Foundation, the United Association, Milwaukee Tool, and SkillsUSA.

Swipe through to see the international lineup, the podium winners’ circle, and highlights from the medal presentations in Shanghai!

At the 2026 IAPMO Conference, the IWSH Foundation hosted a panel reflecting on 10 years of delivering safe water and sanitation to communities around the world. The discussion focused on the measurable outcomes of IWSH programs since its creation, and the volunteer & sponsor networks that make the work possible.

Attendees also got an inside preview of the 10th Anniversary Community Plumbing Challenge at the Los Angeles Mission, joined on stage by L.A. Mission President Rowan Vansleve.

Thank you to session leader Robyn Fischer and panelists Jed Scheuermann, Randy Lorge, Adam Koenigs, and Iggy Contreras for sharing their perspectives, field experience, and continued commitment to IWSH projects!

IAPMO sends best wishes to all Competitors, Experts, Trainers, and industry partners from across the globe about to embark on the experience of a lifetime at !

Together we are not only building the next generation of skilled professionals, but we’re demonstrating the essential roles our trades play in protecting public health, advancing sustainability, and building stronger, more resilient communities.

Through IAPMO’s ongoing WorldSkills Global Partnership, we continue to support industry, education, and government in developing a skilled workforce for the future. Best of luck to everyone taking to the in Shanghai this week! 🌏

View the event teaser here: https://youtu.be/NI66KHsFuak?si=QzYh4YPWuwQxMAcK

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: Hello Shanghai, Hello Skills The city of Shanghai is ready to welcome the world to the largest g...

The stakes for public health, consumer trust, and brand integrity have never been higher. This week, moderator John Watson was joined by a powerful lineup of industry executives: Cindy Sheridan (PHCC National Association), David Gans, Dave Viola (IAPMO), Kerry Stackpole (Plumbing Manufacturers International), and Tim Brink (Mechanical Contractors Association of America).

For Panel 2: "Protecting the Next 100 Years," they delivered a masterclass on combating the growing threat of substandard and knockoff products in the global marketplace. This was an incredible discussion on the future of product certification and global market defense.

The blueprint for the next century of the plumbing industry is being drawn this morning in Universal City. Following a highly anticipated opening keynote from Tools & Tiaras' Judaline Cassidy, our former CEO, Russ Chaney, takes the stage to moderate a convergence of global leaders: Gurmit Singh Arora (Indian Plumbing Association), Shayne LaCombre (Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre), and Tom Bigley (United Association).

In Panel 1: "100 Years Forward," they are breaking down the skills, workforce strategies, and global competencies required to lead tomorrow's industry.

Here are some highlights from our Roscoe King Memorial Golf Tournament as attendees set the perfect tone for our centennial conference week! 🏌️

Thank you to every player, sponsor, and committee member who joined us for a full day of networking and competition ahead of the week’s business and educational sessions.

Today, we spotlight Joseph Boeger, an emerging leader serving on IAPMO's Young Professionals Committee and as Vice Chairman of the Southern Nevada Chapter. As the Full-Time Instructor and Curriculum Coordinator at UA Local 525 JATC, he dedicates his career to ensuring apprentices step onto jobsites prepared, confident, and proud of their craft.

With nearly a decade in the industry, Joseph’s path from apprentice to educator demonstrates the purpose, stability, and upward trajectory available in the trades.

Thank you, Joseph, for your service to the Southern Nevada Chapter, your leadership within the Young Professionals Committee, and your commitment to workforce development.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting emerging leaders shaping our community and driving the plumbing and mechanical industry forward for the next 100 years.

The countdown is on! In less than three weeks, plumbing and mechanical professionals from across the industry will gather in Universal City for IAPMO's 2026 Annual Education and Business Conference.

Join us September 13 – 17 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, California, for five days that bring together education, industry connections, memorable experiences, and a once-in-a-century milestone.

If you’ve been thinking about attending, now is the time to make your plans. See the full schedule here:

2026 Annual Education and Business Conference Schedule | IAPMO Conference Browse the 2026 Annual Education and Business Conference schedule.