The 2026 Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Summit, taking place September 15–17 in Lombard, Illinois, is now accepting abstracts, with the call for speakers closing April 10. As in past years, the technical program will be built through submitted abstracts and guided by Paint & Coatings Industry’s Editorial Advisory Board, with an emphasis on content that reflects real-world formulation challenges and measurable performance outcomes.

Designed for both liquid and powder coatings professionals, the event brings together formulators, chemists, R&D personnel and suppliers in a setting built around technical exchange rather than presentation alone.

Credit: Robert Levy Photography

Our event has always prioritized technical depth over broad overview, and that expectation carries into this year’s call. Submissions are evaluated not just on novelty, but on applicability. Applicants are encouraged to present how materials, processes or testing approaches perform under current constraints, including regulatory pressures, evolving customer requirements and ongoing raw material variability. The strongest sessions are those that move beyond description and into demonstrated understanding of how coatings behave in use, and where formulation decisions make a meaningful difference. If you would like to participate, submit your abstract before the deadline.

Again this year, the CTT Summit will offer short courses the day before the technical conference begins. This years’ offerings are designed to provide deeper, application-focused learning. Topics include surfactants and rheology, resin chemistry and selection, latex film formation and early performance, and powder coatings designed for harsh environments.

Credit: Robert Levy Photography

In addition to the technical offerings, our packed exhibit hall and networking opportunities are designed to connect formulators with suppliers offering additives, resins, pigments and equipment that support formulation development and optimization. If you are interested in exhibiting, please contact Kristin Johansson at johanssonk@bnpmedia.com.

CTT Summit is also where we recognize the annual winner of the PCI Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor recognizes an individual who has made lasting contributions to the coatings industry over the course of their career. The deadline to submit nominations is June 12. Consider submitting a nomination for someone that has helped shape where coatings technology stands today.

This year, we are excited to add a student poster session to the program. Undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students will have the opportunity to present research in coatings, polymers, inks, adhesives and related materials, with abstracts reviewed by PCI’s Editorial Advisory Board. This initiative creates a direct connection between academic research and industry application, while also providing students with exposure to the professionals shaping today’s coatings technologies.

Credit: Robert Levy Photography

It’s not too early to register and make your plans to attend the CTT Summit. Companies registering under the manufacturer category can take advantage of a “buy two, get one free” full-conference registration offer, encouraging broader team participation and cross-functional engagement within organizations. And for the first time we are offering super early-bird pricing, so make sure to take advantage of this discounted opportunity.

With the April 10 call for speakers deadline approaching, I encourage you to submit your ideas and help define the conversations that will take place this September.