To stay competitive in the fast-evolving adhesives and sealants market, industry leaders must navigate a landscape defined by rapid digitization, shifting economic currents, and increasing pressure for sustainable solutions. The upcoming 2026 Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) Annual Convention & EXPO, scheduled for April 20-22 at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville, Tennessee, aims to provide the tools necessary to meet these challenges.

Under the theme "Connecting Industries: Innovations in Adhesives & Sealants," the 2026 convention and expo is a must-attend event for professionals in the adhesives and sealants industry. The program features a robust lineup of keynote speakers designed to help formulators and end-users move from intuition-based operations to data-driven, sustainable success.

Charting a Course Through Volatility

The convention kicks off on Tuesday morning with an opening keynote by Kaiser Yang, CEO and co-founder of Platypus Labs. In his presentation, "Positive Disruption: How to Lead Growth Through Joyful Innovation," Yang will address the reality that "the business you're running today isn't the business you'll be running next year."

Yang's session focuses on leading with decisiveness and creativity during moments of radical uncertainty. He will offer an actionable framework to help attendees leverage existing skills while moving into uncharted market territories.

Celebrating Marketplace Impact

Tuesday's lunch session will transition from leadership theory to practical industry excellence with the State of the Association Address and Innovation Awards Presentation. ASC President Bill Allmond will recognize companies that have shown excellence in technical innovation with the ASC Innovation Awards. This session offers attendees a direct look at the year's most impactful technologies, as award recipients will provide short presentations on the development and application of their innovations.

Economic and Digital Transformation

Wednesday's programming shifts the focus toward the external forces shaping the industry's bottom line. The morning begins with an economic outlook from Dr. Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group. Basu will discuss the economy and give insights on the future. Using data-driven trends in employment, housing, and financial markets, he will characterize the present economic climate and offer his thoughts for the remainder of 2026.

On Wednesday afternoon, Professor David Simchi-Levy of MIT will take the stage to discuss "Manufacturing and Supply Chain Digitization: From Intuition to Data Drive Decision Making." Simchi-Levy will explore how disruptive technologies such as large language models (LLMs) can democratize manufacturing and supply chain technology. His presentation will highlight how LLMs can reduce complex decision-making times.

The Small Component with a Big Footprint

The convention will conclude on Wednesday afternoon with a closing keynote from Elizabeth Staab, global packaging sustainability manager at H.B. Fuller. Her session, "Invisible But Indispensable: How Adhesives Drive Product Sustainability Across Industries," will discuss how adhesives contribute to sustainable design, recyclability, and repairability. She will present real-world examples to illustrate how modern formulations empower brands to meet rising consumer expectations and evolving environmental goals.

A Hub for Professional Growth

Beyond the keynote presentations, the 2026 ASC Convention & EXPO offers deep technical value through its concurrent sessions and two technical short courses. Featured topics include digital tools for adhesive and sealant development, supply chain and feedstocks, new product introduction, additives for high-performing adhesives and sealants, trends in sealants technology, new developments in the EV market, end-use applications, developments in PSAs, and regulatory trends and global outlook. Additionally, the EXPO itself will serve as a central hub for formulators and end-users to discover new raw materials and equipment.

By bringing together global experts in innovation, economics, AI-driven supply chains, and sustainability, the ASC Nashville event aims to equip the industry with the insights needed to remain indispensable in a changing world. For more information on the full schedule and registration, visit the ASC website.