Schedule at a Glance
Tentative Schedule for the 2020 World Adhesive & Sealant Conference
Preliminary Program Now Available (see below)!
Explore the “Windy City” of Chicago Before and After WAC2020
Chicago is an amazing city to explore! Tours and attractions are available HERE.
Confirmed Keynote Addresses
Connecting What Matters: The Future of the Adhesives and Sealants Industry
Jim Owens, President & CEO
H.B. Fuller Company
Adhesives and sealants enable advances in nearly every consumer or durable good imaginable. As CEO of the largest pure-play adhesives company in the world, Mr. Owens will review the future of the industry and how technologies and bonding applications that were originally quite unrelated are becoming more closely integrated and even unified as they develop and advance. This growing trend presents both challenges and opportunities in the adhesives industry to develop technologies that solve a range of performance challenges, including harsh environmental conditions and consumer preferences for lighter, safer, stronger, and more sustainable products. The session will highlight how critical people and ideas are in our industry and how important it is to develop innovative thinking at every level of the organization to elevate the value creation and importance of the adhesives industry.
3M State of Science Index
Dr. Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate
3M Company
Science matters to us – at 3M we care about science. We wanted to understand the public’s perception around science, so we conducted a global third-party study called the ‘3M State of Science Index’ and what we found is that science is largely underappreciated, invisible or taken-for-granted. People don’t seem to understand or acknowledge the role of science in their daily lives but have huge expectations for what it should deliver in the future. It is clear science needs advocates, especially since 4 out of 10 surveyed said that if science didn’t exist their lives wouldn’t be any different!
It is also apparent that the relationship of science with people is complex. In fact, 85% of people surveyed admit they know little to nothing about science, but the same percent wish they knew more. Moreover, 87% of the global community believes we need science to solve the world’s problems. Nearly 60% of people interested in science say that they believe scientific advancements will benefit future generations. It was also interesting and perhaps not surprising to see that women trail men in the positive sentiment of science and almost 60% view scientists are elitists.
Jayshree was appointed as 3M’s first-ever Chief Science Advocate and she will be sharing the results of this multi-year survey, what 3M is doing about it, and a call for action for all of us.
Adhesives and Sealants Facing the Rising Trend of Sustainability: Risks and Opportunities
Vincent Legros, Chairman & CEO
Bostik
We will review during this presentation how the rising concerns around sustainability throughout the world can challenge the adhesives industry and can question the technologies which are in place. We will see how sustainability should be a key lever to increase the overall penetration of innovative solution in the adhesive industry and how we should increase even more the intimacy with our customers to take advantage of this rising trend.
Competing in an Age of Digital Disorder: Technology, Turbulence and Transformation
Erik Peterson, Partner and Managing Director
A.T. Kearney Global Business Policy Council
Fasten your seatbelts. Soon, nothing associated with what we now call business or operations will be remotely the same as what we now understand. A confluence of economic, technology, social and environmental dynamics are disrupting our global business and the coming transformation will be end-to-end. Demand, production, operations, procurement, logistics, supply chain management, gig economy and the role of subcontractors, workforce development, and consumption – for starters – are all being redefined by key technologies now exploding on the market and influenced by the economic climate we face. Companies across the board – from manufacturing to retailing – will be tested as never before all of which have significant implications for the Adhesives business.
Trends Shaping our World and Accelerating Opportunity for the Adhesives Industry
Mike Olosky, Corporate Senior Vice President, Head of Global Adhesives Electronics and Industrials Division, Regional President
Henkel North America
Megatrends in mobility, connectivity, and sustainability present unparalleled opportunity for the Adhesives Industry to create value for society and drive future innovation. Based on his global leadership and market experiences in adhesive technologies, Mr. Olosky will share insights on the market potential that can be created by the powerful waves of societal and technology changes influencing our industry. Mobility trends including alternative energy vehicles, autonomous driving and the increasing need for light-weighting are driving global innovations and transforming the industry. Consumers are more connected than ever, while infrastructure expansion, increasing data storage and processing capacity requirements are creating a connectivity evolution for materials suppliers.
Companies, regulatory bodies, industry alliances and NGOs are coming together to invest and innovate to support a circular economy and enable breakthrough solutions in sustainability. The session will highlight how meeting these challenges with the right approach and resources to innovate for the future is crucial for the industry and for the advancement of science and society.
Preliminary Program Now Available!
Your Exclusive Sneak Peek at this Year's Incredible Program!
Including:
- Speakers and Schedule
- Exclusive Networking Events
- Adhesive Science Short Course
- B2B Training Workshop
- WAC EXPO
Sunday April 19th:
Explore Chicago
Registration & Speaker Ready Room Open
Attendee Orientation
International Association Heads Reception & Dinner
Monday April 20th:
Registration & Speaker Ready Room Open
Adhesive Science Short Course
MORE INFO
B2B Training Workshop
MORE INFO
ASC Board of Directors Meeting
International Association Heads Lunch & Meeting
Opening Ceremony
Welcome Reception & Dinner
Shedd Aquarium
Tuesday April 21st:
Registration & Speaker Ready Room Open
Networking Breakfast
SPONSORED BY: EASTMAN CHEMICAL
Adhesive Science Short Course
MORE INFO
General Session Opening Keynote
8:00 – 9:15 a.m.
SPONSORED BY: H.B. FULLER
Sponsored Coffee Lounge
*Tuesday Morning Education Sessions (9:15 - 11:45 a.m.):
Feedstocks, Polymer and Additives
Circular Economy
Polyurethanes & Reactives
Building & Construction
SPONSORED BY: TIB CHEMICALS
General Session Lunch KEYNOTE
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
2020 Innovation Awards
Sponsored Coffee Lounge
*Tuesday Afternoon Education Sessions (1:15 - 3:00 p.m.):
The Art of Successful Global M&A - Value Creation, Risks, Enabling Insights
Sustainable Value Chain
Innovation Awards & Sustainable Markets
Trends & Market Drivers
Wednesday April 22nd:
Registration & Speaker Ready Room Open
Networking Breakfast
ASC Gives Back Community Service Project
SPONSORED BY: KRATON
Located on-site. Join us as we network and assemble care packs for local veterans and assemble storytime kits for children.
General Session Keynote
8:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Sponsored Coffee Lounge
*Wednesday Morning Education Sessions:
Key Market Trends
Global Regulations
Formulating Materials & Methods
Wood, Walls & Floors
General Session Lunch Keynote
11:45 – 12:45 p.m.
Regional Updates
12:45 – 1:15 p.m.
Sponsored Coffee Lounge
*Wednesday Afternoon Education Sessions:
Business Transformation Strategies; Digitization and Generational Workforce
Automotive & Structural Applications
Packaging Hot Melt Adhesives, Styrene Copolymers & Polyolefins
Hybrid Adhesives
Closing Ceremony & Gala Dinner
Countdown to WAC2020
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The World Adhesive & Sealant Conference in 2020 is the most important INTERNATIONAL event for stakeholders in the Adhesive and Sealant industry worldwide. WAC takes place only once every four years alternating between the United States, Europe and Asia.
In 2020 the event is being organized by The Adhesive & Sealant Council (United States) and takes place in Chicago, Illinois, April 20 – 22, 2020
DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE
(includes schedule)
Conference
The WAC Conference will feature exclusive keynote addresses and educational sessions featuring subject matter experts from around the world. Speakers will share their knowledge and expertise on the latest business and technology developments and innovations and opportunities in the adhesive and sealant markets.
EXPO
The World Adhesive EXPO is the adhesive and sealant industry's WORLD trade show, held only once every four years. Meet FACE to FACE with raw materials and service suppliers, distributors, and equipment manufacturers from around the world to discuss your needs and discover new products and services. EXCLUSIVE sponsorships are also available!
View a current list of exhibiting companies HERE.
Networking
Held only once every four years, WAC is the premier international event to meet and network with industry professionals from around the world. NO OTHER event brings together this many adhesive and sealant suppliers, manufacturers, equipment companies, and end users in one place. WAC is indeed the place to be in 2020!
Don’t Miss This Opportunity to Connect in 2020
with the Global Adhesive & Sealant Industry!
A Grand Opening Reception & Dinner
High Impact Keynotes
Educational Programming for Technical & Business Staff
World Adhesive & Sealant EXPO
Exclusive Networking Events
2020 Innovation Awards
Incredible SPONSORSHIP Opportunities for Companies
Chicago Entertainment & Fun Themed Activities
Sign Up for the Mail List
WAC 2020 Organizer:
“On behalf of The Adhesive and Sealant Council, our co-hosts and co-promoters, and the U.S. adhesive and sealant industry, we are extremely honored to welcome the global community to Chicago for the World Adhesive and Sealant Conference (WAC) April 20-22, 2020. We are diligently working to deliver a world-class event that will be memorable for all participants for years to come.”
Bill Allmond
WAC 2020 Co-Organizers:
WAC 2020 Co-Promoters:
ASMAC
JAIA
KAIA
TSRAIA
CATIA
BAMA
(301) 986-9700
WAC 2020 ORGANIZER
The Adhesive & Sealant Council
510 King Street Suite 418, Alexandria, VA 22314
