The 54th Turbomachinery & 41st Pump Symposia (TPS) concluded on September 18, 2025, in Houston, Texas. This year’s event hosted more than 4,800 attendees and 320 exhibiting companies from around the globe. Its wide reach and exceptional program further solidified TPS as a premier event in the rotating equipment industry, fostering meaningful exchanges among professionals and businesses alike.
Pioneering Technical Program
The turbomachinery and pump advisory committees curated a diverse program of advanced material, featuring both new and popular returning courses. New offerings this year included the tutorial “Redefining Turnarounds Using Technology,” led by Josh Cowart, Kraig Simpson and Adam Walker. The session explored how advanced technologies, such as precision metrology, virtual assembly and maintenance digital twins, can be used to identify assembly issues in advance.
The case study “Improved Reliability with New High Temperature Gas Seal Technology,” presented by Jamie Cetrone, Robert McManus, and Derrick Ross, described efforts to enhance sealing performance in hot hydrocarbon applications and outlined design improvements that increase performance and long-term reliability.
One delegate noted, “The TPS program is excellent as it addresses practical engineering challenges and offers courses suitable for engineers at all experience levels… highly recommended for those looking to enhance their skills in a collaborative learning environment.”
An Expansive Exhibit Hall
A wide variety of exhibitors attended, including industry leaders such as Ebara Elliott Group, Everllence and John Crane. The exhibit hall featured full-sized equipment and technological demonstrations, enabling attendees and exhibitors to build deeper connections and explore potential collaborations. The show floor represented a diverse range of sectors, including turbomachinery, chemical, petrochemical, water, and pump-related industries.
One company shared, “Being at the center of the turbomachinery and energy world, TPS has routinely shown itself to be a great investment in our time building and continuing our best relationships in the industry.”
Kicking Off with a Call for Efficiency and Optimization
This year’s welcome address, sponsored by John Crane, was delivered by Mr. Nico Schmaeling, John Crane’s Senior Director of Product Portfolios & New Energy Solutions. His address tackled three key pillars of efficient energy: security, sustainability, and affordability. Mr. Schmaeling advocated for decarbonization as a means to build a “better tomorrow,” emphasizing its potential to reduce the effects of climate change and promote more sustainable energy usage worldwide. He expressed optimism that the global energy mix will see an exponential reduction in fossil fuel dependence over the coming decades and concluded by urging attendees to share best practices for optimization in both their personal and professional lives.
Supporting Women’s Growth in the Industry
Rebecca Cameron-White was the featured speaker at the 2025 Women of TPS luncheon. Her presentation, “The Multiplier Effect,” highlighted the crucial role mentorship plays for women in the rotating equipment industry. Mrs. Cameron-White discussed the “leaky pipeline,” a metaphor describing how women enter STEM fields but gradually leave at various stages of their education and careers. She emphasized that mentorship can help counter this trend by creating a ripple effect: when experienced professionals mentor newer ones, knowledge and encouragement spread through the industry. Over time, this practice could create a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment and retention.
Looking Ahead to TPS 2026
With the conclusion of TPS 2025, the Turbomachinery Laboratory and its partners look forward to next year’s symposia, to be held on September 22-24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Prospective exhibitors can secure their space by contacting Exhibitor Services Director Maggie Gariepy at [email protected].
Technical content from TPS 2025 will be made public in March 2026, joining the free archive of proceedings from previous symposia available at turbolab.tamu.edu/proceedings.
###
The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Turbomachinery Laboratory makes a vital impact on turbomachinery and related industries through research, education and professional workforce development. Visit turbolab.tamu.edu for more information.
Media Contact:
Kristen Smith
