Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit 2026: Formulators Focus on Performance

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit 2026 will take place from September 15–17, 2026 at The Westin in Lombard, Illinois, in the Chicago area. The American Coatings Association describes it as an annual Midwest conference for liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers to discuss innovations in coatings technology. 

This is not a broad public trade fair; it is more valuable as a technical industry meeting. For suppliers of coating raw materials, that can be an advantage. The audience is closer to R&D, formulation and technical decision-making, which makes it suitable for introducing additives, resin technologies, pigment systems, curing solutions and performance enhancers.

In 2026, coatings companies are likely to keep focusing on PFAS alternatives, low-VOC systems, durability, powder coatings, corrosion resistance and sustainable formulation. A technical summit gives suppliers room to explain not only what a product is, but how it performs inside real formulations.

For companies selling to North American coatings manufacturers, this event is a useful platform for credibility-building.