Hotbels 2025
We are happy to announce that The 38th Hotbels Seminar will take place on
April 22nd and 23rd, 2025!!
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Held at:
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Marriott Griffin Gate
1800 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY
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​Planning is already under way to secure the best speakers and topics as well as provide the best agenda for you!
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We look forward to seeing everyone in April!!
A GLASS
TECHNOLOGY
FORUM
presented by Fosbel® & Hotwork®
Sharing Innovations to
Educate & Inform
The Glass Industry
Agenda & Speakers
Monday, April 21st
Location: Bar
7:00 pm–10:00 pm: Meet and Greet
Tuesday, April 22nd
Location: Salons A-C
11:00am – 1:00pm: Registration
1:00pm – 5:00pm: Presentations
1:00pm – 5:00pm ~ Presentations: Tuesday
5:30pm: Reception, Terrace Ballroom
7:00pm – 11:00pm: Dinner, Terrace Ballroom
2025 BTU Award Presentation
Wednesday, April 23rd
Location: Salons A-C
8:00am – Noon ~ Presentations: Wednesday
12:00pm: Keeneland Park Racetrack (dress code required of jacket and tie or no admittance)
~OR~
Kentucky Horse Park
5:30–9:00pm: Reception, Mansion
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Presenters and Topics (in no particular order)
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ZW's Disruptive AI / ML Solutions for the Glass and Ceramics Industry
Robert Fu & Mitch Odinak, ZW LLC.
From microstructure to performance – a deep dive into characterization techniques for refractories
Erick Estrada Ospino, RHI Magnesita
Lesson learned from retrospective furnace failures
Adam Tomaino, Owens Illinois
Tempered by Change: How the Glass Industry is Navigating Economic, Policy, and Workforce Pressure
Scott Cooper, CelSian
Next Generation Ceramic Welding
Sean Gilbride, Fosbel
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GFL Research and Collaboration Platform
Aston Fuller, Glass Futures
A Challenging Repair
Jeff Remson, REMSCO
Hot Repairs and Challenges in India
Zsolt Erdosi, Fosbel
Ensuring Safety and Compliance in Glass Furnace Rebuilds: Strategies for Risk Mitigation and Efficiency
Dragan Savic, SCT
Venue & Events
Click on images to learn more!
Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
1800 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY 40511
Keeneland Race Track
is a favorite.
Try your hand at betting and winning!
​
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Pike
Lexington, KY 40511
Hotbels History
Hotbels has an extensive history, beginning with the first seminar held in 1977; it officially became "Hotbels" in 1998 when Hotwork became a division of the Fosbel Group. Though Hotwork and Fosbel are independent today, we still collaborate to present information on the advancement of innovation and technology to the Glass Industry.
​
Bob Chambers, Managing Director for Fosbel, said, "Hotbels' purpose is to present topics that are of interest to glass makers. Every year, Hotwork and Fosbel are challenged with the task of finding experts to present on relevant topics, allowing for Q&A, and creating the opportunity for collaboration of technical exchange, expansion of knowledge and the movement towards resolution."
Hotbels is held in Lexington, Kentucky, and attracts all levels of the glass industry, not only in North America, but also worldwide. Our 2019 event attracted representatives from 40 glass production facilities, in addition to delegates from 23 different organizations that supply essential services & products to the glass industry.
13
BTU
Awards Presented
199
Presentations Given
1977
Year Established
Previous BTU Award recipients
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C Philip Ross, Glass Industry Consulting International (2007)
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Michael A Nelson, Corhart Refractories (2008)
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Dr Douglas H Davis, Toledo Engineering Co (2009)
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John T Brown, Corning Inc and GMIC (2010)
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Michele Blackburn, Saint-Gobain SEFPRO (2011)
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Kevin Lievre, Formerly Air Products (2012)
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Matthew Wheeler, RHI US Ltd (2013)
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The Verallia Group (2014)
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George Kopser, Hotwork-USA (2015)
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Roberto Cabrera, Vitro Vidrio Y Cristal (2016)
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David Boothe, Allstates Refractory Contractors (2017)
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HarbisonWalker International (2018)
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Brian Naveken, TECO (2019)
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Chuck Mace, Ardagh (2022)
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Neil Simpson, Simpson Combustion and Energy Ltd. (2023)
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Jan Schep, Owens-Illinois (2024)
Contact
Fosbel Inc.
20600 Sheldon Road
Brook Park, OH 44142
​
Tel: +1 216 362 3900
Hotwork-USA LLC
Sponsored By
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