Convention Schedule
Continuing Education Units
SSIA will be submitting its schedule the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics to be approved for CEU credits toward the CO, COA, Cped, CPO, CPOA, CTO and CTPO credentials. Check back later to see if it was approved.
Friday, July 24, 2026
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Meet & Greet
Reconnect with old friends and make new at this social gathering to launch the convention weekend.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
7 a.m. – Exhibitor Set-Up
In order to give exhibitors the proper time needed to set up, wholesalers, repairers, and retailers will not be permitted in the exposition hall during set-up. The SSIA thanks you in advance for your cooperation.
7 a.m. – Registration Desk Opens
8 a.m. -Seminar - Cup Sole Replacement
Cup sole repairs continue to grow in demand — are your systems keeping up? This session focuses on proper removal, preparation, bonding, finishing, and creating clean, repeatable results that protect both quality and efficiency. Learn techniques that reduce rework, increase speed, and improve consistency so cup sole jobs become a dependable profit center in your shop. Modern repair requires modern systems — don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen one of today’s most requested services.
9 a.m. - Seminar - Machinery Maintenance
Machines are the backbone of your shop — and they either make you money or quietly cost you money. This session focuses on real-world maintenance habits, common failure points, and practical systems that prevent downtime before it happens. We’ll talk about what wears out, what gets ignored, and what separates reactive shops from disciplined ones. Protect your workflow, protect your margins, protect your future.
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. - SSIA Annual Business Meeting
SSIA members only. If you are not an SSIA member, click here to join.
11:15 a.m. - Seminar - Adhesives / Bonding Techniques
Bonding failures cost time, money, and reputation. This session will break down adhesive selection, surface preparation, and bonding techniques that separate average repairs from professional-level results. Learn when to use specific systems, how to avoid common failure points, and how to build repairs that last. Mastering bonding is one of the fastest ways to elevate quality and protect your shop’s reputation — this is foundational knowledge from one of the industry’s most respected craftsmen.
12 p.m. - Seminar - Store Workflow / Valuing Your Work
Are hidden bottlenecks quietly limiting your profits? Get creative suggestions and real-world examples that have helped expand shop profitability and grow customer bases. Learn how to streamline workflow, implement pre-pay systems, confidently set repair pricing, and properly value your expertise so your time translates directly into stronger margins. Small operational adjustments can dramatically increase throughput and revenue — this is the kind of session that pays for itself.
12 p.m. – Wholesaler Exhibit Preview
In order to give manufacturers/suppliers the proper time needed to spend with your wholesalers, repairers will not be permitted in the exposition hall until 1 PM.
1 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Opens to All
3 p.m. - SSIA Shine Off
The three finalists in SSIA's 2026 Shine Off will compete live on the show floor to see who takes home the top prize.
5 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Closes
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Reception and Awards Presentation
Meet the winners of SSIA's Shine Off and the Creative Cup competition.
Sunday, July 26, 2026
8 a.m. - Seminar - Working on High-End Shoes (Installation of Red Bottom Soles)
Luxury clients expect precision — and they pay for it. This session dives into the technical execution of installing premium and red bottom soles, from prep to finish, along with how to present that work so it commands higher pricing. Clean lines, confident finishing, and understanding the details that matter separate everyday repairs from reputation-building work. If you want to attract higher-end clientele, this is essential.
9 a.m. - Seminar - Building a Mail Order Business
The shops growing fastest aren’t limited by geography. They’ve built systems that bring in work from everywhere. This session breaks down how to structure pricing, shipping, communication, and workflow so mail order becomes a real revenue channel — not chaos. If you want predictable growth, this is where it starts.
10 a.m. - Exhibit hall opens to all.
11:30 a.m. - Seminar - Health & Safety Considerations
This session covers practical health and safety strategies including solvent management, dust control, airflow, and ergonomic workflow improvements. Protect your team, reduce risk, and build a work environment that supports long-term productivity and professionalism.
2 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Closes
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Exhibitor Break Down
The SSIA reserves the right to change or cancel any seminar, presenter, or re schedule any other events without notice at the discretion of the SSIA board of directors.