It has been a long wait for the return of the American Coatings Show and Conference. The upcoming show on April 5-7 marks four years since the industry gathered in Indianapolis for the largest coatings show in North America. The opportunity for colleagues and friends to reconnect in person is long overdue.
After four years, there is much to celebrate, says ACA President and CEO Andy Doyle.
“I’m looking forward to being together with everyone for the first time in four years,” he says. “It will be exciting to walk the show floor and look at all the technology and innovations our industry has produced. I am very proud of the way our industry has thrived during these difficult times.”
Cheryl Matthews, ACA vice president of events, agrees.
“I fully expect the coatings industry to show up in a big way,” she says. “The pandemic did not hinder innovation in this industry. It has been four years since our participants have had an opportunity to demonstrate the many advancements in coatings. The show gives participating companies a captive audience.”
Additionally, this year also marks the first time the ACC, which Doyle notes is “a first-rate technology conference,” will be held concurrently with the ACS in adjoining areas of the hall, making attendees’ transition from sessions to the show floor a seamless part of navigating the event.
“I believe this change will add a new dimension to the event,” Doyle says. “And I’m excited to see the outcome.”
Matthews echoes those sentiments.
“The new ACC schedule will allow conference attendees numerous opportunities to visit the show floor,” she says. “Many of the conference breaks and luncheons will be held on the show floor, as well as the poster session and reception.”
The ACC promises to provide attendees with an in-depth look at breakthroughs in coating formulations as well as major technological advancements. Exploring the theme “Strong and Resilient: Innovation in Coatings Technology,” the conference will officially kick of the afternoon of Tuesday, April 5 with a keynote speech from Chris Killian, senior vice president and CTO at Eastman.
Killian’s message, “The Role of Innovation in the Coatings Industry When Every Color Must Be Green,” will discuss how creativity and the resilience of technology innovation enable the coatings industry to lead customers to a more sustainable future. The American Coatings Award, given for best conference paper, will also be presented during this session.
Following the keynote, conference attendees can begin to immerse themselves in the full technical program. This year, 90 scientific presentations are scheduled to run concurrently in a multi-track format.
“I am always impressed by the quality of research that is presented,” Doyle says. “It is a testament to the level of innovation in the coatings industry and the talented professionals who work in it.”
Altogether, the ACC scientific presentations, tutorials, and the interactive poster session will provide industry professionals with the opportunity to explore crucial research results as well as many networking opportunities.
For conference attendees who want to get an early start on the first day, 10 pre-conference tutorials are scheduled for 8 a.m. on April 5. Designed for learning in a small-group setting, the in-depth workshops will focus on specific areas integral to coatings technology. In the afternoon, the poster session, a longstanding ACC highlight that often features student work, will offer contributors and conference attendees the opportunity to discuss the research in the relaxed atmosphere of the welcome reception on the show floor.
For the duration of ACS/ACC 2022, the show floor will be home to exhibitors demonstrating their newest products, developing new business relationships, and reconnecting with customers face-to-face.
“I believe the industry is looking forward to resuming an in-person experience with their peers,” Matthews says. “Virtual events have been well received during a time of necessity, but many people have ‘virtual fatigue’ and want to resume business in a more personal manner.”
As attendees explore the exhibition floor of the ACS, they will be sure to notice a new feature: the Powder Coatings Pavilion.
Although the ACS has always provided a platform for the full range of industry products, Matthews says the Powder Coatings Pavilion is a unique opportunity for eight exhibitors to showcase the latest innovations in powder coatings technologies before an international audience.
Originally set to debut in 2020, the Powder Coatings Pavilion is the result of the ACA Powder Coatings Committee, which works on projects related to powder coatings issues and promotion. The committee, formed in 2019, focuses on matters pertinent to this growing segment of the coatings industry, and promotions such as the pavilion are key.
In addition to the Powder Coatings Pavilion, the show features a wide product range that includes coating raw materials; laboratory, production and packing equipment; testing and measuring equipment; environmental protection and safety at work; and services. Attendees can expect an array of product presentations.
“The product presentations have always been an important and extremely popular aspect of the ACS,” Matthews says. “This year is no exception: all 57 slots are secured and confirmed, with a small wait list! Exhibitors are excited about presenting their newest products and technologies to a live audience.”
Beyond the show floor, presentations, and technical sessions, the ACS will also feature an online Career Center—a resource to connect companies with qualified professionals and promising students. Another popular activity is the Fun Run that kick-starts Day 2 at White River State Park. Runners will take their marks at 7:15 a.m. on April 6 to enjoy some early-morning exercise. Sponsored by BYK, the good-natured competition also provides a unique networking experience along a picturesque route.
“We have incorporated additional activities for professional development and enhanced networking,” Doyle says. “Whether through the conference poster session, the Fun Run, or the online resource dedicated to career enhancement, opportunities have increased with each event since the inception of the show in 2008.”
The activities will continue through April 7, the third and last day of the event, and Matthews says she expects the hustle and bustle of the ACS/ACC 2022 to last until the very end.
“I believe the new schedule will create a more seamless, integrated event that will keep the show floor busy until the doors close on Thursday afternoon,” she says.
Once the conference presentations conclude and the exhibitors break down their booths, Doyle says he hopes attendees will return home energized and enriched, and with renewed feelings of community and connection.
“I want attendees to experience a sense of commitment and collaboration,” Doyle says. “I want them to feel the conference and the exhibitors provided them with an exceptional exchange of knowledge and a showcase of innovation. I want them to take away the sense of vibrancy and the continued resilience and contributions they make to society.”