Oatey Co. recently held its fifth annual Ambassador Fest in Cleveland, bringing together a diverse group of plumbing professionals and content creators for its largest influencer event to date.

Part of the company’s broader Ambassador Program, Ambassador Fest is a three-day event designed to support the development of skilled tradespeople while amplifying their voices in product innovation and digital outreach. This year’s event emphasized both technical training and opportunities for Ambassadors to provide direct feedback to Oatey’s teams.

Held June 8–10 at Oatey University, the company’s education and training facility, the event featured hands-on sessions such as solvent welding instruction, culminating in the popular Burst Test Challenge, where participants competed to see whose assembly withstood the highest pressure. In-depth product workshops and engineering demonstrations rounded out the program, giving Ambassadors a behind-the-scenes look at product design and manufacturing.

The 2025 cohort included plumbing professionals from across North America include: Tucker Baney, Nick Hotujec, Keith McGillivary, Leon Garrett, Zachary Emond, Jose Lopez, Alan Carlson, Mike Caruso, Grant Blundell, Rob Lupton, Shay Lorette, Thomas Young, Danielle Browne, Germaine Nelson, and Robert Broccolo.

Participants brought a range of experience and perspectives, reflecting the evolving face of the skilled trades.

Ambassador Fest continues to serve as both a platform for peer-to-peer learning and a reflection of Oatey’s investment in building long-term partnerships with tradespeople across the industry.

Beyond training, Ambassadors took guided tours of Oatey’s manufacturing and distribution facilities for an inside look at daily operations and the craftsmanship behind the product. They also received an exclusive preview of Oatey’s latest innovations during a Product Expo. 

The experience concluded with the first-ever Oatey Amazing Race—a fast-paced, citywide scavenger hunt. Ambassadors tackled a series of plumbing and physical challenges across multiple locations, culminating in a relay-style toilet rebuild that showcased their teamwork, problem-solving and pride in the trade. 

“Ambassador Fest is a celebration of partnership, passion and purpose,” says Katherine Lehtinen, senior vice president of brand and digital marketing at Oatey. “It’s an honor to bring together such talented individuals who care deeply about their craft, while also learning from one another, championing the trades and working together to strengthen the future of our industry.” 

“Connecting with fellow Ambassadors in Cleveland gave me a real sense of camaraderie and pride in my profession,” said Zachary Emond, a first-year Oatey Ambassador based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “From seeing how the products are made to giving feedback on what we use every day, the whole experience felt worthwhile. It’s not every day you get to make a lasting impact on the trade alongside a company that genuinely values your perspective.” 

For additional information about Oatey’s Ambassador Program, visit oatey.com.