5 Reasons to Attend the 2026 RPM Symposium

July 8, 2026

Reliability improvements rarely come from theory alone. They come from seeing real applications, hearing practical lessons learned, and connecting with professionals facing the same operational challenges. That’s the focus of the RPM Symposium.

Hosted by HECO, RPM stands for Reliability, Process & Maintenance and brings together industrial professionals, reliability leaders, and equipment experts for two days of educational sessions, hands-on learning, and networking focused on improving uptime, reducing downtime, and strengthening plant reliability.

The 2026 RPM Symposium will take place Sept. 22–23, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan.

If you’re looking for practical value you can bring back to your industrial operation — and reasons to convince your leadership to approve the trip — here are five reasons to attend RPM 2026.

1. Practical Educational Sessions & Speakers Focused on Reliability

The RPM Symposium is designed around real-world maintenance and reliability challenges, not sales pitches.

This year’s event features educational sessions covering topics such as:

Electric motor repair.
Vibration analysis.
Root cause analysis.
Bearings and lubrication.
Ultrasound technologies.
Motion amplification.
Controls and automation.
Equipment management.
Reliability strategy and planning.

Sessions are led by experienced industry professionals and designed to provide actionable information you can apply directly in your facilities.

The kickoff presentation, “Reliability Reconsidered: History’s Lessons and Tomorrow’s Demands” by Bob Latino of Prelical Solutions, will explore the human side of reliability engineering and why many of the same failures still exist despite decades of technological advancement. The keynote presentation, “Insight Is Good. Action Is Better,” presented by HECO President Justin Hatfield, will focus on connecting predictive monitoring, maintenance activity, repair history, and asset management into a more unified reliability strategy.

These sessions set the tone for an event centered around practical reliability improvements and actionable operational insight.

2. Access to Industry Experts and Exhibitors

The RPM Symposium offers attendees direct access to leading manufacturers, technology providers, and reliability experts.

Exhibitors this year include companies specializing in:

Predictive maintenance technologies.
Condition monitoring.
Bearings and power transmission.
Motors and drives.
Ultrasound systems.
Asset management software.
Reliability consulting.

This gives attendees the opportunity to see technologies firsthand, ask questions, and discuss real operational challenges with experts in the field.

3. Reliability-Focused Networking

One of the biggest benefits of RPM is the opportunity to connect with professionals facing the same reliability and maintenance challenges.

In 2025, the symposium hosted:

327 attendees.
136 participating companies.
27 educational presentations.

From maintenance managers and reliability engineers to plant leadership and technicians, RPM creates an environment built around collaboration and practical problem-solving.

4. Expanded Training Opportunities

In addition to the symposium itself, RPM 2026 also includes a five-day Vibration Analysis Category I certification course running Sept. 21–25, with an optional certification exam on Sept. 26.

The course covers:

Vibration fundamentals.
Data collection techniques.
Bearing defect analysis.
Imbalance and misalignment detection.
Pump and motor vibration analysis.
Reliability-based maintenance principles.

For facilities investing in predictive maintenance and condition monitoring, this course provides valuable foundational training.

5. Convenient Midwest Location

The RPM Symposium and associated accommodations return to the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The venue offers:

Walkable downtown restaurants and entertainment.
On-site dining and amenities.
Reserved room blocks for attendees.

Kalamazoo remains a convenient drive from many industrial regions across Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, while also offering access through nearby airports.

All Systems Go

The RPM Symposium continues to grow because it focuses on practical reliability education, real industry challenges, and meaningful networking opportunities.

Whether you’re focused on motors, pumps, predictive maintenance, reliability strategy, or plant uptime, RPM 2026 offers valuable insights you can bring back to your operation immediately.

Posted in Equipment Management, Field Service, Predictive, Product Sales, Repair