RALEIGH, N.C. — If there was ever a moment that captured the energy and evolution of cold-formed steel (CFS) engineering, it was the 2025 CFSEI Expo, held May 19–21 in Raleigh. Engineers, researchers, students and industry professionals from across the world gathered to explore the latest advances in steel framing — through a lineup of sessions that ranged from seismic design and artificial intelligence to a debut segment on emerging technologies.
Hosted by the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), the three-day event was a vibrant mix of technical education, networking and recognition of excellence in the field. From the opening keynote to the final award presentation, this year’s CFSEI Expo delivered not only answers to pressing engineering challenges but also posed bold questions about the future of building with CFS.
Dr. Hari Magarabooshanam and Mahsa Mahdavian of SFIA member Scottsdale Construction Systems share insights on roll forming at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh — part of a program offering up to 14 PDHs/14 LUs for attendees.
Steel Framing Standards and AI
Among the major highlights was a forward-looking session on the state of steel framing standards, where experts outlined recent standards oversight changes and what they mean for design professionals. Another standout: a compelling panel discussion on integrating artificial intelligence into engineering workflows, exploring how AI-driven tools can support — but not replace — the nuanced judgment of structural engineers.
One of the most talked-about sessions was the Emerging Technologies segment, newly introduced this year, which featured groundbreaking research on steel framing applications in modular construction, dynamic seismic testing and sustainable framing systems. Presenters shared both laboratory results and real-world pilot projects, offering a glimpse of where CFS might go next.
John-Michael Wong, Ph.D., S.E., of the NCSEA Foundation’s Innovation in Structural Engineering Grant Team, delivered a well-received CFSEI Expo keynote: “Strategies for Integrating AI into the Structural Engineering Profession.”
A standout session featured Dr. Ben Schafer of Johns Hopkins University, who presented a new, non-proprietary drop-in floor system during the Emerging Technologies segment.
Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., of Nevell Group presented a session on seismic design at the 2025 CFSEI Expo, covering ASCE 7-22 code changes.
Don Allen, SFIA executive director, energized the audience at the CFSEI Expo with SFIA’s unifying vision for the cold-formed steel framing (CFS) industry.
The CFSEI Executive Committee for 2025-2026 (l to r): Daniel Stadig of Salas O’Brien, Josh Garton of McClure, Pat Hainault of raSmith, Karl Schroeder of Devco Engineering, Vice Chair Jeffrey Kreinke (center) of Excel Engineering, Chair Tammy Gleed of ClarkDietrich Engineering Services, Kara Peterman of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Immediate Past Chair Dana Hennis of WSP USA and Madeleine Grimmer of Simpson Strong-Tie Co.
“The quality of this year’s program was exceptional,” said one returning attendee. “It’s rare to see this level of depth across so many disciplines — especially with such openness to new ideas.”
The Expo also served as a platform to honor outstanding achievements in CFS design. CFSEI announced the winners of its 2025 Design Excellence and Creative Detail Awards (see below), recognizing projects that exemplify innovation, structural integrity and problem-solving in CFS applications. The award-winning projects showcased everything from elegant detailing solutions to large-scale structural accomplishments in both commercial and residential work.
Young Engineers
In addition, CFSEI spotlighted its commitment to the next generation of engineers through its Stipend Program for Young Engineers. Five recipients — early-career engineers — were awarded $1,200 travel stipends and free registration to attend the Expo. Their presence added fresh perspective to the sessions and underscored CFSEI’s growing focus on talent development and academic partnership.
In addition, the top winners of the 2025 CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design were handed checks for their designs, which featured their use of creative thinking skills to solve engineering problems.
Ryan McLaughlin of the University of Massachusetts Amherst accepts a $2,000 check for winning the CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design from Immediate Past Chair Dana Hennis (left) and Chair Tammy Gleed at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh, N.C.
Vince Salvador, an engineering student at Marquette University, presents his winning cold-formed steel (CFS) design to the 2025 CFSEI Expo audience. The design was a joint effort with Owen Selle of the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Larry Williams Honored
CFSEI named Larry Williams, former executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), the recipient of its 2025 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service. The honor recognizes individuals who have volunteered their time, talent and resources to advance the CFS industry.
Larry Williams takes the podium to accept the CFSEI Distinguished Service Award at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh, N.C.
After receiving CFSEI’s Distinguished Service Award, Larry Williams reconnects with colleagues Roger LaBoube and Pat Ford.
A Sense of Community
Outside the meeting rooms, the energy was just as strong. Conversations over coffee turned into impromptu brainstorming sessions and new connections formed at nearly every table. Whether you were a veteran engineer or a first-time attendee, the sense of community was unmistakable.
As the 2025 CFSEI Expo came to a close, the message was clear: Steel framing is evolving — and CFSEI is leading the charge, one detail, one discussion and one breakthrough at a time.
CFSEI Design Excellence Awards
CFSEI Design Excellence Awards recognize excellence in using cold-formed steel (CFS) products in the structural design of new or renovated structures. Here are the 2025 CFSEI Design Excellence Award winners — by category:
Commercial
- First Place: Ensign Engineering & Landing Survey. Onset Financial HQ, St. George, UT
- Second Place: McClure. Project Blue Fontainebleau Las Vegas Lobby, Las Vegas, NV
- Third Place: raSmith. Lerner Research Institute, Building CBB Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Municipal
- First Place: McClure. Malachowsky Hall for Data Science and Information Technology, Gainesville, FL
- Second Place: McClure. Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant, Digester Cladding Replacement, San Pedro, CA
- Third Place: Lochsa Engineering. LA Chargers HQ & Training Facility “The Bolt”, El Segundo, CA
Residential/Hospitality
- First Place: McClure. Rancho Monte Alegre, Carpinteria, CA
- Second Place: Excel Engineering. Banner Lane (Formerly Sursum Corda), Washington, DC
- Third Place: McClure. Nine31 Apartments, Gainesville, FL
Explore the winning projects at cfsei.org/2025-cfsei-award-winners-for-design-excellence.
CFSEI Creative Detail Awards
CFSEI Creative Detail Awards recognize a cold-formed steel (CFS) detail that exemplifies creativity or ingenuity to solve a design challenge. Here are the winners:
- First Place: Excel Engineering. Harrah’s NOLA CIP, New Orleans, LA
- Second Place: Salas O’Brien. Confidential Casino Hotel Tower, Eastern United States
- Third Place: ADTEK Engineering. Puller Veterans Care Center, Warrenton, VA
See the winners at cfsei.org/2025-cfsei-award-winners-for-creative-detail.
CFSEI Expo Attendees Unwind
The 2025 CFSEI Expo wasn’t all business. Attendees enjoyed plenty of downtime to connect and unwind, starting with a lively Monday evening welcome reception featuring games, food and casual conversation.
The fun continued Tuesday night with a visit to the Raleigh Beer Garden — home to a Guinness World Record-setting draft selection — where engineers traded understanding the new seismic building codes for miniature golf, conversation and craft brews under the Carolina sky.
Tom Sputo (left) and Ken Charles of the Steel Deck Institute join Kara Peterman of the University of Massachusetts Amherst at CFSEI Expo’s Monday evening welcome reception.
Pat Hainault of SFIA member raSmith, and a member of the CFSEI executive commitee, plays cornhole during the CFSEI Expo’s Monday evening welcome reception.
Jacob Schanz, Nate Mackley and Trevor Thornburgh of McClure enjoy the CFSEI Young Member Group mixer Monday evening.
Alyssa Pease of SFIA member raSmith points young engineers in the right direction — straight to the bar — during the lively Monday evening social at the 2025 CFSEI Expo.
The 2025 CFSEI Expo attendees take a moment to relax and unwind at the Marriott Crabtree in Raleigh, enjoying downtime after the first day’s activities.
A cozy bonus at the 2025 CFSEI Expo — attendees picked up a pair of CFSEI socks to take home (or wear on the spot). Comfort meets cold-formed steel!
CFSEI Expo attendees leave the Marriott Crabtree hotel in style aboard trolleys, kicking off a fun-filled Tuesday evening of drinks, games and good company.
A whole roasted pig — apple and all — sets the tone for a festive evening at the Raleigh Beer Garden, a crowd favorite during the 2025 CFSEI Expo.
CFSEI Expo participants unwind with brews and conversation at Raleigh Beer Garden, home to games, rooftop views and 386+ beers on tap from around the world.
With 220 craft beer taps just on this wall alone, Raleigh Beer Garden wowed CFSEI Expo guests as a Guinness World Record holder for its unmatched draft selection.
Spotlight on Sponsors
The 2025 CFSEI Expo was made possible thanks to the generous support of numerous industry sponsors. Their contributions helped fund not only the robust technical program, but also daily breakfasts, lunches and evening social events — creating valuable opportunities for learning, networking and community building throughout the three-day event. Here are some of the sponsors:
Steve Farkas of SFIA member CEMCO showcased his company’s advanced cold-formed steel (CFS) framing solutions at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
Nader Elhajj of SFIA member FRAMECAD touted his company’s cutting-edge framing solutions at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
Sabrina Steele, Mahsa Mahdavian and Hari Magarabooshanam of SFIA member Scottsdale Construction Systems featured their company’s steel framing technology at 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
Platinum Sponsor ClarkDietrich, an SFIA member, set up a “Tool Time” exhibit at 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh to demonstrate its cold-formed steel (CFS) products.
At the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh, David Boyd and his coworker with SFIA member MiTek highlighted their firm’s insights on cold-formed steel (CFS) framed trusses.
Ed Shelby of SFIA member Super Stud Buildings Products featured DragonBoard and cold-formed steel (CFS) subfloor assemblies at 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) served as a Platinum Sponsor at the 2025 CFSEI Expo, underscoring its commitment to advancing cold-formed steel (CFS) framing through education and industry leadership.
Jaco Brand and Ryan Erickson of SFIA member Alpine TrusSteel showcased its cold-formed steel (CFS) truss systems at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
Nick Crosetto and Kurtis Kennedy of SFIA member The Steel Network (TSN) showcased their company’s innovations at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
Platinum Sponsor USG demo’d Structo-Crete to engineers during “Tool Time” at 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
Max USA Corp. showcased its lightweight, high-capacity power tools to engineers at 2025 CFSEI Expo “Tool Time” in Raleigh.
Rob with Simpson Strong-Tie demo’d his company’s Quik Drive Auto-Feed screw driving solution during “Tool Time” at 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
Hilti showed its tool systems to engineers at 2025 CFSEI Expo “Tool Time” in Raleigh.
Bluepoint Fasteners featured a powder actuated tool — with a silencer — at 2025 CFSEI Expo “Tool Time” in Raleigh.
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) comprises hundreds of structural engineers and other design professionals who are finding a better way to produce safe and efficient designs for commercial and residential structures with cold-formed steel. CFSEI members work together to develop and evolve industry standards and design methods, produce and issue technical bulletins and provide seminars and online training to improve the knowledge and skills base of engineers and design professionals. For more information, visit www.cfsei.org.
Additional Resources
- CFSEI Announces Winners of 2025 Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Bearing Stiffeners
- Ask an Expert: CFSEI Responds to a Question about the Anchored Leg of a Clip Angle