The pressure-sensitive tape industry will gather for PSTC Tape Week 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, May 4-7, 2026. The event, hosted by the Pressure-Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC), remains a key event for knowledge sharing and networking within the industry, including tape manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users.

Held at the Omni Louisville Hotel, Tape Week 2026 will feature a mix of technical presentations, market-focused sessions, professional development opportunities, and collaborative networking. Sessions and events are designed to help industry professionals stay up to date on evolving technologies, regulatory requirements, and the latest end-use applications.

Educational Program

The programming structure of Tape Week 2026 reflects an increasingly complex landscape for PSA tapes. Attendees can choose from a number of focused tracks, including a Technical Track and a Markets and Applications Track, as well as a Sustainability & Regulatory Track. Each track will offer insight for people working in different roles within the tape industry.

The Technical Track will explore developments in PSA tape design, materials, and performance characteristics. Sessions are designed to appeal to a wide audience, including engineers, product managers, R&D specialists, and executives. The sessions will offer practical insight into emerging adhesive technologies.

Running concurrently with the Technical Track, the Markets & Applications Track will examine industry trends and emerging opportunities. Discussions will focus on growth areas such as medical devices, automation and robotics, and energy-related applications. It will also provide information about broader market drivers influencing PSA tape demand.

New this year, the Sustainability & Regulatory Track will address one of the industry's most pressing challenges: the evolving environmental and regulatory landscape. Presentations will examine how manufacturers are reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and adapting adhesive formulations to meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.

Business Insights and Industry Keynotes

The event's keynote programming will bring additional strategic perspective to the week's technical discussions. Among the featured speakers is Alex Chausovsky, director of analytics and consulting at Bundy Group. Chausovsky will deliver the general lunch keynote. Additional keynote speakers include Jason Bader, the principal of The Distribution Team, which specializes in providing strategic business coaching, inventory management training, and technology utilization to the wholesale distribution industry. Bader will deliver a keynote address for the Ascend Program, a new opportunity for professionals under 40 that is launching at this year's Tape Week.

Training and Professional Development

Educational offerings at the event include the Tape Academy course, "Adhesive and Advanced Technologies of PSA Tapes." For 2026, the course will feature an expanded program and separate lunches.

The new Ascend Program is a professional development initiative designed for senior-level decision makers who are looking for education and high-level networking opportunities. It will focus on strategic business meetings, industry insights, and building relationships with key partners. Objectives of the forum include identifying common barriers to communication, learning effective listening techniques, diffusing conflict, and understanding how different generations perceive the workplace. Attendees participating in this program can attend an Ascend Reception on Monday at 4 p.m., right before the Members Only Reception. At this special reception, participants in the Ascend Program can meet other future industry leaders. Also included in Ascend Program activities during Tape Week is a keynote with Jason Bader that will include special discussion tables offering education, inspiration, and practical skills. The new program will also offer collaborative corners and other online engagement opportunities.

The annual Poster Session will take place Tuesday, May 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. This part of Tape Week allows exhibiting companies to introduce new technologies, products, or best practices to event attendees. Participants can browse the poster displays and chat with experts about the featured technologies in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Networking Opportunities

In addition to the education opportunities, Tape Week offers several events for collaboration and networking. The event's Showcase allows attendees to engage directly with suppliers and technology developers in a setting that encourages discussion and relationship building. Companies participating in the Showcase will highlight emerging products and innovations from across the value chain.

For more information about Tape Week 2026, visit https://pstc.org/events/2026-tape-week.