Convention Schedule
Continuing Education Units
SSIA's convention has been approved for 6.75 CEU credits by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics toward the CO, COA, Cped, CPO, CPOA, CTO and CTPO credentials.
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. Leaders from Landis International will join us via Zoom. 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. – 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
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 - Maintaining High-End Shoes
A shoe care master class from the representatives of Boot Black. High-end shoes require top-notch maintenance. Learn to give your customers the care they need to keep them coming back for more.
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.