ASNT 2026 Conference Preview

Title image: Columbus puts ASNT 2026 in “the heart of it all“—Ohio’s own slogan, and a fair description of a capital city that is in the state’s geographic center and is also its largest, with roughly 944 000 residents.

ASNT’s annual conference, the premier gathering for nondestructive testing (NDT), is headed to Columbus, Ohio. ASNT 2026 will take place from 12–15 October at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, in the heart of downtown. More than 2200 attendees are expected for four days of technical sessions, keynotes, short courses, and special events—including the celebration of ASNT’s 85th anniversary—along with unmatched opportunities to connect with the global NDT community.

Eighty-five years after its founding, ASNT returns to the Midwest with a program focused on how NDT skills are proven, how the profession attracts and retains its next generation, and how emerging tools are changing inspection work. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a newcomer to NDT, ASNT 2026 is the place to explore what is new and what is ahead, experience the latest inspection tools firsthand, and expand your skills and professional network—all within the world’s largest NDT community.

Conference Program

This year’s program centers around the theme “Together We Lead,” focusing on the following areas:

• Leading innovation: Advancing methods, technologies, and ideas shaping the future of NDT

• Leading people: Developing the workforce, strengthening expertise, and empowering the next generation

• Leading with integrity: Upholding safety, quality, ethics, and standards that protect the public and the profession

• Leading together: Strengthening collaboration across industries, disciplines, and global communities

The schedule features more than 80 expert-led technical sessions, on topics including innovation and technology, professional development, industry applications and data, and leadership and ethics.

Sessions cover all major methods and industries, with updates on the standards that govern them. A sampling of the presentations includes: “Lessons Learned from Rebuilding an NDT Certification Program in the Age of AI,” with Katya Bostaph; “CT Scan Is Changing Aerospace Manufacturing—Is NDT Ready?” with Michael Rivera; and “Metadata Management Infrastructure Made Easy,” with Kelly Merrell.

Two special general sessions will take place on the Main Stage:

• “Together We Lead: Redefining How NDT Skills and Performance Are Proven,” Tuesday, 13 October at 9:00 a.m. ASNT Chief Global Strategy Officer Paul Lang and Board of Directors member (and ASNT Past President) Clyde May explore ASNT’s modernization of SNT-TC-1A, the shift toward demonstrated competency, and how the NDT community can shape the outcome through the current discovery phase. A Q&A session will follow the same day at 1:30 p.m. in Ballroom C.

• “Strengthening Workforce Pipelines and the Skilled Workforce,” Wednesday, 14 October at 9:00 a.m. This session will be a panel moderated by ASNT Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs Garra Liming.

  The conference is approved for six recertification points (Category D), 18 contact hours toward ASNT NDT Level II and Level III certification, and 18 IACET continuing education units (CEUs) and professional development hours (PDHs). Details on how to submit for these points and hours will be shared after the conference. In the meantime, questions may be sent to Certification.

A First-Timers Welcome and Orientation will be held in Ballroom C from 2:30–3:30 p.m. on Monday, providing newcomers with guidance, tips, and the opportunity to meet fellow new attendees.

Volunteer Summit

The ASNT Volunteer Summit 2026 takes place on Saturday, 10 October, ahead of the main program. The summit brings together section leaders, council members, and committee volunteers for an in-person experience focused on collaboration, shared learning, and meaningful connection. This can be added as a session when you register for the conference, or the summit can be attended separately. Visit the Volunteer Summit 2026 page for details.

ASNT Foundation Golf Tournament

Before the conference officially begins, attendees are invited to tee off for a great cause at the 4th Annual ASNT Foundation Golf Tournament on the morning of Monday, 12 October, at the Golf Club of Dublin, in Dublin, Ohio. The four-person scramble includes 18 holes, carts, lunch, drink tickets, and contest entries. Entry is $900 for a foursome or $225 for an individual (and open to non-conference attendees as well). Learn more and preregister by 9 October.

Established in 2022, the ASNT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of ASNT and relies on the generosity of industry partners and individuals who recognize the importance of NDT in creating a safer world. The Foundation supports current and future generations of NDT professionals through scholarships, grants, research, and workforce development. The tournament is a fantastic way to have fun with NDT colleagues and friends while contributing to this important work.

Career Corner

Whether you’re actively job hunting with a resume in hand or just curious about what’s out there, Career Corner is open to all attendees. Located in the exhibit hall and open during exhibit hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, 13–14 October, the space connects attendees with NDT employers and recruiters. This is especially useful if you’re a student, an early-career professional, or pondering your next move in NDT. There is no cost, and no signup or appointment is needed—just stop by. For more information, contact Events.

Keynote Speakers

The conference will officially kick off on Monday, 12 October, at 4:00 p.m. with an opening keynote by Jason O. Harris titled “Elevating Trust: Leading Together When the Stakes Are High” and sponsored by Carestream NDT. Harris, a decorated combat veteran and airline captain, will speak about the two dimensions of trust—functional and relational—that drive high-performing teams in the NDT industry. Attendees will leave equipped with practical tools to build trust, lead effectively, and strengthen organizational performance in safety-critical environments.

ASNT 2026 will conclude with a closing keynote and luncheon on Thursday, 15 October, at 12:00 p.m., featuring Jennifer Mass with “Fakes, Forgeries, and Disappearing Paintings: NDT Case Studies in Connoisseurship.” Mass, an inorganic chemist and President of Scientific Analysis of Fine Art LLC, will show how the same methods used to qualify welds and airframes are used to authenticate paintings and diagnose the deterioration of cultural heritage.

Short Courses

In addition to the technical program, ASNT 2026 will feature four ASNT Short Courses—instructor-led sessions designed to be interactive and application-oriented to ensure job relevance. Each course runs for four hours, is priced separately from conference registration, and any conference attendee may enroll. Courses are approved for NDT Level III recertification points, CEUs, and PDHs.

• Short Course A: “Effective Scan Plan Development for Phased Array Inspections,” held on Sunday, 11 October, at 12:00 p.m. and taught by Luis Montoya, covers mastering the fundamentals of phased array scan plan design, including active element calculation, sectorial and composite weld scans, and multigroup configurations for pipe accessory inspections.

• Short Course B: “AI in Digital Radiography,” held on Monday, 12 October, at 7:30 a.m. and taught by VisiConsult CEO Lennart Schulenburg, explains how AI-assisted defect recognition can improve accuracy, speed, and reliability in digital radiography, with practical guidance on implementation, validation, and workflow integration.

• Short Course C: “Digital Twins and Portable NDE 4.0,” held on Monday, 12 October, at 12:00 p.m. and taught by PRAGMA CEO François Mainguy, shows how NDE 4.0 is transforming portable inspections through 3D digitization, data fusion, and cloud-enabled reporting, with practical insight into building digital twins for modern asset integrity programs.

• Short Course D: “Leading for Performance,” held on Thursday, 15 October, at 7:30 a.m. and taught by Kyle Payne, an NDT Level III specializing in soft skills for engineers and technicians, will strengthen your leadership toolkit with practical techniques for feedback, coaching, and team engagement. This course is built for Level III managers and small-business owners looking to build accountability and a more motivated workforce.

Those interested in attending who did not register by the deadline can contact ASNT staff at Education to see if spaces are still available.

Exhibit Hall

Featuring the largest NDT-specific exhibit floor, with more than 210 exhibitors, ASNT 2026 is the place to see the newest products and service innovations.

Be sure to stop by ASNT’s booth, where attendees can chat with ASNT staff about new products and services for members and take part in interactive demos and activities throughout the week, including:

• Booksigning with Eddie Pompa, Monday, 12 October, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Meet author, illustrator, ASNT Fellow, and NDT enthusiast Eddie Pompa. Readers who followed the NDT Hero Adventures series in Materials Evaluation from January through last month can now get a signed copy of all nine stories collected in a single volume, titled Guardians of Infrastructure. Created by ASNT and Pompa, the comic book celebrates the real-world impact of NDT through characters and adventures inspired by the methods NDT professionals use every day.

• Build yourself in LEGOs, Tuesday, 13 October, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Unleash your creativity at the ASNT LEGO minifigure bar and build your own minifigure to take home! At 3:00 p.m., stop by for ice cream from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, a franchise that got its start locally at the North Market, just steps away from the convention center.

Exhibit Hall hours are 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. on Monday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Battle of the AI Agents

ASNT’s “Battle of the AI Agents” challenge returns, running 12–14 October under the direction of AI expert Dr. Gleb Tsipursky. Each participant creates a custom AI agent to address a real-world industry issue. The hands-on workshop and guided agent development session take place on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with team demos on Tuesday and final judging on Wednesday. Participation costs $50 and is limited to 40 people, with separate registration required.

Shortly after announcing the battle winners on Wednesday, Tsipursky will give a presentation, open to all, titled “Beyond Experimentation: Practical AI Applications for NDT Professionals,” on the Main Stage at 1:30 p.m. He will share lessons from this year’s and last year’s AI Agent Battles, including how participants and winning teams transformed their technical expertise into working solutions, and discuss how AI agents can create value in NDT, what makes these tools effective, and how to begin building solutions that support your own work.

ASNT Celebrates!

Attendees have more to commemorate this year at ASNT Celebrates!, as the Society marks 85 years. This anniversary party runs from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 14 October, in the Battelle Grand at the convention center, and is open to all registered conference attendees at no cost. Expect an open bar, birthday cake, and dueling piano entertainment from Cleveland Keys, whose set list is shaped entirely by requests from the crowd. Whether you dance, sing along, or just find a quiet corner to compare notes on the week, it’s a fitting way to close out the conference with the NDT community.

EWI Facility Tour

ASNT 2026 attendees can go behind the scenes at EWI, the advanced manufacturing and materials joining institute, on Tuesday, 13 October, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The tour of EWI’s Columbus facility offers a look at advanced manufacturing and NDT capabilities in an applied research setting. Whether you work in R&D, engineering, quality control, or inspection, the tour offers fresh insights and professional connections. Cost is $50, space is limited to 40 participants, and guests must register one week prior to the tour. For more details, visit the ASNT 2026 activities and events page.

Registration

Standard registration for the full conference is $899 for Professional and Pro Plus members, $999 for Associate members and nonmembers, and $399 for students. On-site rates, which take effect 10 October, rise to $999 and $1099, respectively, with student registration unchanged. An exhibit hall pass is $199 in advance and $249 on-site. Speaker registration is $599 for Professional and Pro Plus members and $699 for Associate members and nonmembers. Find out more about registration.

Conference Venue

ASNT 2026 will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, on North High Street in downtown Columbus. The center sits at the north end of downtown, steps from the Short North Arts District and within walking distance of the conference hotels, with easy access to dining and entertainment on foot.

ASNT has negotiated conference rates at four hotels within walking distance of the convention center: the Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center, Sonesta Columbus Downtown, Hilton Columbus Downtown, and Hyatt Regency Columbus. Book through the official links to get the conference rate. Watch out for “hotel pirates,” unauthorized companies that may contact you claiming to be ASNT’s official housing provider. ASNT will never ask for your credit card information by phone or email, so book only through the ASNT website.

Around Columbus

Columbus packs more into walking distance of its convention center than most host cities can manage. The Short North Arts District begins at the building’s front door and runs north along High Street for about a mile, a corridor of galleries, independent boutiques, restaurants, and bars strung beneath a series of lighted arches. Martini Modern Italian sits directly across from the convention center, and Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse and Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse are both adjacent to it. A short walk up High Street brings you to Marcella’s Ristorante for Italian, The Pearl for a gastropub menu and classic cocktails, and The Guild House for seasonal American cooking. For a view with dinner, Astra sits atop the AC Hotel Downtown Columbus, and Goodale Station offers rooftop patios overlooking the city. Reservations are recommended for the table-service restaurants during conference week.

For a quick bite between sessions, the North Market is two blocks from the convention center. Open since 1876, it gathers more than 30 independent merchants under one roof—butchers, bakers, produce stands, and prepared food from around the world, including the original Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams counter. It is the fastest way to eat well downtown without a reservation.

Attendees with time to explore will find much of Columbus’s cultural life close at hand. The Short North’s galleries are open throughout the week, and the Columbus Museum of Art is a short ride east. The Ohio Statehouse, one of the oldest working statehouses in the country, offers free guided tours of its Greek Revival chambers and grounds. West of downtown, the Scioto Mile runs along the riverfront with parks, fountains, and walking paths, and is home to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. It’s an easy walk from the convention center for anyone who wants to stretch their legs between sessions. Just across the river sits COSI, the Center of Science and Industry, with more than 300 interactive exhibits—a worthwhile stop for anyone who enjoys watching physics explained to a crowd.

A short drive or rideshare opens up more. German Village, immediately south of downtown, is a restored 19th-century neighborhood of brick streets, wrought iron, and historic homes, anchored by Schiller Park and the Book Loft, a rambling 32-room bookstore. Northeast of downtown, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens holds the world’s largest collection of Dale Chihuly glass in a botanical garden. Further out, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Easton Town Center shopping district are both worth the trip for attendees who are extending their stay.

Marking 85 years of the Society and offering a full week of sessions, demonstrations, and connections, ASNT 2026 is sure to be unforgettable.