RECAP: Hill Group Opens Its Doors for the 2026 SMACNA Fab Forum

The 2026 SMACNA Fab Forum got off to a memorable start in the Chicago area, thanks to SMACNA Greater Chicago member The Hill Group. The Franklin Park-based contractor hosted a full campus tour as part of the national event in April, giving nearly 275 attendees an inside look at its operations.

A third-generation, family-owned company with more than 80 years in the industry, The Hill Group has completed more than 100,000 projects and fabricated over 4 million pounds of ductwork. Its operation spans five companies across three states and employs 1,200 people — making an event of this scale no small feat.

Throughout the day, contractors rotated through more than 20 stations in 15-minute sessions, with teams demonstrating processes, technology and workflow across the facility. According to Dave Pikey, VP of Corporate Technology, the preparation behind the scenes was extensive, but it paid off for many employees who got a fresh perspective on the work they do every day.

“When you have a group listening for an entire day, it reminds people that what they do is pretty special,” Pikey said. “When it’s all over, everybody’s pumped up. It’s kind of electric.”

That sense of shared learning and collaboration is exactly what the Fab Forum is designed to foster.

“There are wrinkles in varieties — from custom sheet metal to industrial to architectural — but we’re all in the same general space,” Pikey said. “This event is all about exploring different ways people solve similar problems.”

Pikey made sure to shoutout Hill Group Operations Manager Anthony Camasta, who handled most of the logistics, and the many team members whose planning and coordination helped make the event a success.

Thank you to The Hill Group, SMACNA and everyone who traveled to take part in the 2026 Fab Forum.