Early Bird Registration ends September 28 | NAFA's Hotel Discount Rate ends September 21
Speakers
Randi Braun
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A member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Randi Braun is a highly-regarded speaker and ICF-certified executive coach, who has worked with 50+ organizations including Microsoft, Uber, Accor Hotels, Cox Communications, and Anthem Insurance, among others. Her insights have been featured in CNBC, The Washington Post, Forbes, Talk Radio Europe (broadcast by The BBC), and The Chicago Tribune, among others. She is also the author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling book, Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work (New Degree Press, 2023).
Reimagining Productivity
Tuesday, October 13 | 0:00 pm - 0:00 pm
In a world obsessed with “hacking productivity” WSJ best-selling author, Randi Braun will help participants reimagine their relationship with productivity: inspiring them to build new work habits that increase wellbeing and decrease burnout. Based on content from Braun’s best-selling book, participants will learn tools to:
- Identify the common productivity traps: high-performers insidiously fall into that keep them hemorrhaging time and energy, instead of reclaiming it
- Reimagine new frameworks on productivity: that inspire employees to spend less time on “performative” tasks and more time on “impactful” tasks
Keynote Speaker
Alex Chausovsky
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Alex Chausovsky is a highly experienced market researcher and analyst with more than twenty years of expertise across subjects, including economics, industrial manufacturing, automation, talent and workforce issues, and advanced technology trends. For the last two decades, he has consulted and advised companies
throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia, and his insights and analysis have been featured on NPR, the BBC, and in the Wall Street Journal. Alex will kick off and conclude the convention with bookend keynotes and lead a roundtable discussion.
Back by Popular Demand – A Fresh Perspective on Today’s Economy
Wednesday, October 14 | 0:00 pm - 0:00 pm
We’re excited to welcome back a highly acclaimed speaker from last year’s convention—now returning with updated insights and a renewed focus on the economic shifts shaping our industry. This year’s program will feature two dynamic sessions designed to inform, engage, and equip you with the tools to navigate an evolving marketplace. Keynote: Economic and Policy Update Join us for a data-driven, forward-looking analysis of the current economic landscape. This session will break down key indicators—like tariffs, inflation trends, interest rate expectations, labor market dynamics, consumer behavior, and business investment patterns—and provide clear, actionable guidance on how businesses can adapt to and prepare for ongoing economic developments.
From Insight to Action: Navigating What’s Next
Wednesday, October 14 | 0:00 pm - 0:00 pm
Following the keynote, continue the conversation in an interactive roundtable led by Alex Chausovsky. This session will explore the real-world implications of the economic trends discussed earlier and offer practical strategies for staying agile and resilient in a rapidly changing environment. Bring your questions and insights for what promises to be a lively, solutions-focused discussion.
Mike Gause, RBC
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Mike Gauss is a business executive, strategic advisor, and wealth management leader with a passion for helping business owners create exceptional results in both their companies and their personal financial lives. Prior to entering wealth management, Mike served as President of a multi-billion-dollar manufacturing and consumer products business, where he led significant growth initiatives, operational transformations, acquisitions, and strategic planning efforts across multiple divisions and facilities. Mike has always led with a results-first mindset, grounded in data, systems, and the discipline to turn insights into action.
Today, Mike dedicates his expertise to helping business owners and high-net-worth individuals build not just financial wealth, but the operational clarity and strategic infrastructure to get there. An engineer by training, an operator at heart, and an early adopter of artificial intelligence, Mike has become known for translating AI from a buzzword into a practical business tool. His work with artificial intelligence focuses on helping leaders use it as a strategic advantage to analyze financial performance, improve operational effectiveness, challenge strategic thinking and assumptions, increase personal productivity, and make better decisions. He is a trusted advisor, a hands-on leader, and an increasingly sought-after voice on how emerging technology, specifically artificial intelligence, can serve as a genuine competitive advantage for the business owners he serves. His presentations are known for being highly practical, engaging, and immediately actionable.
AI as a Force Multiplier for Business Owners
How to Use AI as Your Analyst, Advisor, Coach, and Executive Assistant
Tuesday, October 13 | 0:00 pm - 0:00 pm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful tools available to business owners, but most leaders still struggle with a simple question: “What can I actually do with it?”
This session cuts through the hype and goes straight to practical application. Mike Gauss, a former President of a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, will demonstrate how business owners are using AI today as a financial analyst, strategic advisor, executive coach, and productivity engine to improve decisions and drive business performance. Through live demonstrations and real-world examples, attendees will learn how to leverage AI to analyze monthly and annual financial results, uncover the story behind the numbers, identify operational opportunities, pressure-test strategic decisions, create virtual advisory boards, document processes, build SOPs, develop presentations, summarize communications, and lead their teams more effectively.
Whether you have never opened an AI tool or you already have advanced workflows in place, you will leave with practical frameworks, proven prompts, recommended platforms, and an implementation guide you can begin using that same night.
This is not a theoretical discussion about the future of AI. It’s a tactical playbook for business owners who want to use AI to make better decisions, save time, and drive stronger business results today.
Walk in with curiosity. Walk out with tools you can use before your flight home.
Steve Griffiths, CAFS
NAFA President
General Manager
Independent Filter Service P/L
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NAFA President’s Update
Tuesday, October 13 | 0:00 pm - 0:00 pm
Join NAFA’s President for a brief update on the association’s current priorities, recent progress, and what’s ahead for the NAFA community. This session will provide members with a quick look at key initiatives, opportunities for engagement, and the continued work being done to support the air filtration industry.
Jake Redenbaugh
Senior Account Manager
MegaCorp
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Shipping Air
Thursday, October 15 | 11:20 am - 11:55 am
Moving freight efficiently requires more than simply booking transportation—it requires strategic planning, carrier selection, and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. This session will provide attendees with a practical overview of the freight management process, including carrier vetting, pricing strategies, shipment visibility, and tracking best practices.
Participants will explore the advantages, limitations, and common pitfalls associated with various transportation modes, including full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), international imports and exports, and drayage/intermodal solutions. The discussion will also examine how market dynamics influence transportation costs and service levels, helping attendees make more informed logistics decisions.
Finally, the session will highlight emerging technologies that are transforming supply chain operations, including transportation management systems (TMS), vendor portals, and artificial intelligence tools that are driving greater efficiency, visibility, and cost savings across the freight lifecycle.
Business Owners Panel: Leading Through Change – Strategies for Growth, Innovation, and Long-Term Success
Thursday, October 15 | 9:40 am - 10:40 am
Running a successful business today requires balancing immediate challenges with long-term opportunities. From workforce development and emerging technologies to economic uncertainty and changing customer expectations, business leaders are constantly making decisions that shape the future of their organizations. Join a panel of experienced NAFA business owners and executives as they share candid insights on the opportunities and obstacles facing the air filtration industry. Through an open discussion, panelists will explore how they are approaching growth, investing in their businesses, developing their teams, leveraging technology, and positioning their companies for long-term success. Attendees will gain practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and valuable lessons learned from industry leaders who are navigating many of the same challenges and opportunities. Bring your questions and join the conversation as we explore what it takes to lead, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Moderator
Keith Jordan, CAFS, NCT
NAFA Secretary and Conference Chair
President
Colorado Air Filter LLC
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Corporate and Finance Investments
Thursday, October 15 | 10:40 am - 11:20 am
Skyler Sandry
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Keith Ryan
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