When you teach the industry the way a building is actually constructed, everything suddenly connects,” said John Zalepka, STI’s Director of Training & Industry Engagements, the architect and host of the Summit. “My goal was to create a collaborative day where experts don’t just present, they build on each other, literally and conceptually. This Summit wasn’t about products. It was about people, partnerships, and designing better walls.

That theme of alignment carried through each session.

“The best part was structuring the presentations to mirror the actual construction of a wall,” said Brad Vrana of ClarkDietrich. “When sessions build on each other instead of competing with each other, every speaker becomes more impactful.”

The day began with Brad’s session on steel framing specifications and IBC compliance, followed by Owens Corning’s Kevin Herreman with a deep dive into building acoustics. After lunch, attendees joined STI for a behind-the-scenes tour of the company’s fire testing lab before transitioning into National Gypsum’s exploration of fire and sound solutions by building type.

“Having the hybrid format (and online audience) was great,” said Thad Goodman of National Gypsum. “But having people in the room gave the sessions real energy. The questions were sharp, and I picked up tips from every presenter.”

Kevin Herreman echoed that sentiment: “My favorite part was the tour of STI’s fire testing capabilities, especially because I’m currently building out full-scale E119 and E2307 systems in our own lab. Learning more about studs, drywall, and the details behind these assemblies and making new friends along the way was a highlight.”

The Summit closed with STI’s own segment, a collaborative session led by Zalepka and Dave Augello, Director of Interior Finish & Curtain Wall.

Zalepka guided attendees through the code requirements, tested systems, and common field pitfalls involved in interior finish firestopping. Augello followed with a look at construction joints and perimeter conditions, connecting the day’s earlier discussions to real-world installation challenges.

“Events like this are where the industry gets better together,” Augello said. “Presenting alongside John is always fun, and the collaboration across manufacturers today is exactly what moves specifications, construction, and compliance in the right direction.”

The Summit also offered up to four AIA LU/HSW credits, with STI issuing a consolidated four-hour certificate for participants who attended in-person and online.

With strong engagement both in-person and online, the Interior Finish Summit underscored the value of aligning design intent with field constructability and reinforced STI’s commitment to education as a cornerstone of life-safety performance.