Industry Events Calendar

2026

March

MAR
11

2026 SME Midweek Member Mixer virtual networking event

Community Event
Online
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM MT
The SME Midweek Member Mixer (MMM) is a bi-monthly, 1/2 hour virtual networking event. MMM is held the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am MT. Join each month to discuss industry topics and SME programs. Register once for this event series, then attend any of the monthly events. You will be sent a reminder from Zoom each month with your unique access link.
MAR
11

UT Section Meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Local Section - Invite
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM MT
Join us on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 for a talk by Mick McCaslin!  *PLEASE NOTE: this meeting is the 2nd Wednesday of the month vs the 3rd!* Topic: Maximizing the Benefits During MINEXCHANGE Schedule: Social hour and dinner: 6:00 to 7:00 pm Technical Presentation: 7:00 to 8:00 pm Dinner Costs: We will be offering $5.00 dollars off the meeting price when you prepay before the meeting. Please use the following links to make the payment: Members & Nonmembers: $25.00: https://square.link/u/ugk8QWqh Students: $10.00: https://square.link/u/dmrMKqS1 Please note: Cash or credit card payment will still be accepted at the door at the time of the meeting, and pricing is as follows: Members & Nonmembers: $30.00 Students: $15.00 Location: FLSmidth, Inc. Please park in the West parking lot and enter through the atrium door between the two buildings. Add a tag
MAR
17

Under Pressure: Extreme Medical Risks and OSHA Mandates in TBM Operations

UCA Webinar
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM MT
This webinar addresses the critical intersection of hyperbaric medicine and underground construction during Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cutterhead interventions (CHI). When high groundwater conditions necessitate balancing hydrostatic pressure with compressed air, personnel are subjected to extreme physiological environments. This session provides a professional overview of the medical risks inherent in these operations—including decompression sickness (DCS), barotrauma, and arterial gas embolism—and the mandatory regulatory framework required to mitigate them. Focused on OSHA 1926.803 compliance, the presentation outlines the essential role of the hyperbaric physician and the necessity of site-specific emergency protocols. Dr. Howton will detail how medical readiness must be integrated into operational planning, from pre-employment fitness-for-duty examinations to the strategic utilization of medical locks on-site. Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap for bridging the gap between heavy engineering requirements and medical safety, ensuring project compliance and the long-term well-being of the crew.
MAR
19

March 2026 General Meeting - Exploring the intriguing world of Water Spiders.

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: Frank Palmer Sweet III Operational Excellence, FMI Accomplished Value Stream Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management. Strong qualifications in product profitability, value stream KPI management, business strategy development, and business metrics management. Presentation: Exploring the intriguing world of water spiders and examining the relationship between cost and efficiency. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements (Salad bar will be available during session) 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner
MAR
31

Offshore Technology Conference (OTC Asia)

Conference
Tuesday, March 31 - Thursday, April 2, 2026
Kuala Lumpur Convention CenterKuala Lumpur City Center, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The biennial Offshore Technology Conference Asia (OTC Asia) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. Founded in 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually in Houston. OTC is sponsored by 15 industry organisations and societies, who work cooperatively to develop the programme each year. OTC has expanded technically and globally with other flagship events including OTC Asia.

April

APR
14

SME Minnesota Section Conference

Conference
Tuesday, April 14 - Thursday, April 16, 2026
The SME Minnesota Conference focuses on the developments, technology, trends, and innovations directly affecting the heart of the Iron Ore region. Featuring a wide variety of technical sessions and speakers combined with interactive networking opportunities, the SME Minnesota Conference is a professional event you will truly enjoy and remember.
APR
16

April 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner
APR
20

The Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals

Conference
Monday, April 20 - Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals (FGIM) is an international meeting of geologists and mining professionals interested in industrial minerals. For over half a century the Forum’s focus has been on the geology of industrial minerals with an emphasis on the promotion of the knowledge and organization of mining, mineral processing, regulation and reclamation through the forum meetings, presentations and field trips.

May

MAY
04

Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)

Conference
Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7, 2026
The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.  Founded in 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually in Houston. OTC has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil, and OTC Asia. OTC ranks among the largest 100 trade shows held annually in the United States and is among the 50 largest meetings. OTC is a collaboration of *15 non-profit organizations that support the global energy sector. *15 non-profit organizations: 12 sponsoring, 1 regional sponsoring, and 2 endorsing organizations.
MAY
13

2026 SME Midweek Member Mixer virtual networking event

Community Event
Online
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM MT
The SME Midweek Member Mixer (MMM) is a bi-monthly, 1/2 hour virtual networking event. MMM is held the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am MT. Join each month to discuss industry topics and SME programs. Register once for this event series, then attend any of the monthly events. You will be sent a reminder from Zoom each month with your unique access link.
MAY
21

May 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner

June

JUN
15

UCA North American Tunneling Conference

UCA Conference
Monday, June 15 - Thursday, June 18, 2026
The North American Tunneling conference (NAT) is the premier biennial tunneling event for North America, bringing together the brightest, most resourceful and innovative minds in the tunneling and underground construction industry.
JUN
18

June 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner

July

JUL
08

2026 SME Midweek Member Mixer virtual networking event

Community Event
Online
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM MT
The SME Midweek Member Mixer (MMM) is a bi-monthly, 1/2 hour virtual networking event. MMM is held the second Wednesday of every other month at 9:00 am Mountain Time. Join each event to discuss industry topics and SME programs. 
JUL
16

July 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner

August

AUG
10

45th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining

SME Meeting - External
Monday, August 10 - Tuesday, August 11, 2026
 International Conference on Ground Control in Mining August 10-11, 2026 | Charleston, WV Participate in achieving practical ground control solutions in mining at the 45th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining. By attending, you will experience two days of highly focused technical programs that you can put into practice at your organization, get access to the type of industry research and insights you need from today’s thought leaders, and connect with other professionals in the industry. Learn more here: groundcontrolmining.org
AUG
20

August 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, August 20, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner

September

SEP
17

September 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner

October

OCT
15

October 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner

November

NOV
09

Cutting Edge Conference

UCA Conference
Monday, November 9 - Wednesday, November 11, 2026
From the East to the West Coast, North America’s tunneling industry is flourishing. The annual Cutting Edge Conference examines the latest advances in tunneling technology, its methodology and how they can be harnessed to assist the nation’s major upcoming underground projects. You’ll find cutting edge perspectives on a range of topics, including meeting industry challenges, developments in materials technology, and methodologies in sustainability.
NOV
19

November 2026 General Meeting

SME Section Meeting/Event - Full Registration
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM MT
Speaker: to be announced. Presentation: to be announced. Sponsor: to be announced. Schedule: 6:00 - 6:30 Bar Social 6:30 - 6:45 Announcements 6:45 - 7:15 Presentation 7:15 - 7:30 Q&A 7:30 - 8:30 Dinner

December

DEC
06

SME Arizona Section Conference

Conference
Sunday, December 6 - Monday, December 7, 2026
The SME Arizona Conference is the leading conference for regional collaboration and growth in the mining industry in the southwest, specifically Arizona. The conference focuses on the development, technology and innovations used in local area projects.

2027

January

JAN
19

UCA George A. Fox Conference

UCA Conference
Tuesday, January 19, 2027, 06:00 AM - 06:00 PM ET
An intensive one-day conference where you can keep up on project updates, learn strategies for overcoming challenges, and discuss surrounding critical industry issues.

February

FEB
28

MINEXCHANGE 2027 SME Annual Conference & Expo

Conference
Sunday, February 28 - Wednesday, March 3, 2027
At MINEXCHANGE, you’re surrounded by people as excited and passionate about the mining industry as you. Join leaders from around the industry where you’ll learn the latest on today’s critical topics from innovation to responsible mining.

June

JUN
27

Rapid Excavation & Tunneling Conference (RETC 2027)

UCA Conference
Sunday, June 27 - Wednesday, June 30, 2027
Every two years, industry leaders and practitioners from around the world gather at the Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference (RETC), the authoritative program for the tunneling profession, to learn about the most recent advances and breakthroughs in this unique field. This comprehensive conference helps practicing professionals keep up with the ever-changing and growing tunneling industry. Stay on top of new trends and technologies as well as innovative concepts, new equipment, materials, management, financing, and design challenges.

2028

January

JAN
08

UCA George A. Fox Conference

UCA Conference
Saturday, January 8, 2028, 06:00 AM - 06:00 PM ET
An intensive one-day conference where you can keep up on project updates, learn strategies for overcoming challenges, and discuss surrounding critical industry issues.

February

FEB
27

MINEXCHANGE 2028 SME Annual Conference & Expo

Conference
Sunday, February 27 - Wednesday, March 1, 2028
At MINEXCHANGE, you’re surrounded by people as excited and passionate about the mining industry as you. Join leaders from around the industry where you’ll learn the latest on today’s critical topics from innovation to responsible mining.