From April 8-10, delegates from the adhesives and sealants industry will come together at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown for the Adhesive and Sealant Council’s (ASC) Annual Spring Convention and Expo. The yearly event features a short course, concurrent session tracks, several keynotes and an expo.

Keynotes

The opening session on Tuesday, April 9, will begin with a breakfast and keynote. Matt Thornhill, founder and managing partner of SIR’s research-based think tank Institute for Tomorrow, will present “Winning Organizations of Tomorrow.” Thornhill is a futurist who is focused on understanding how generational dynamics are impacting trends in the marketplace and the workplace. He has spoken about generations and the future at over 300 conferences and company events in the U.S., Canada, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and Panama, and has delivered insights to Walmart, Google, P&G, General Mills, Hershey Foods, and rocket scientists at NASA.

On Wednesday, April 10, delegates will learn about “The Blockchain Transformation: How Blockchain Enabled Digital Transformation Will Change Your Business, Your Industry, and the World” at breakfast. Jack Shaw, co-founder and executive director, American Blockchain Council, is a leading expert on the strategic business implications of blockchain technology. Shaw has been a technology futurist for over 30 years, helping others to understand the impact of emerging technologies. He has advised Fortune 500 Companies such as GE, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, Oracle, and SAP, as well as hundreds of small- to mid-sized businesses.

The Wednesday Membership Update and Lunch will provide a summary of how the ASC is delivering value to the membership through strategic long-range initiatives. Speakers include ASC Chair Brian McSwigan, vice president, pressure-sensitive adhesives at Henkel Corp.; and Bill Allmond, ASC president.

The conference closes on Wednesday afternoon with a keynote and reception. Joseph Wheeler, co-director, Center for Design Research, and professor of architecture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, will give the talk “Architects and Adhesives—A Perspective on Designing the HAUS of the Future.” Wheeler pursues professional research in environmental and sustainable design and assumes leadership positions in the implementation of design theory and ideas. As co-director of the School of Architecture + Design’s Center for Design Research, he has led multiple interdisciplinary projects, including the 2005, 2009 and 2010 Solar Decathlon house projects, the latter of which won first place overall in international competition in Madrid, Spain.

Short Courses

Two short courses are scheduled for April 8-9. The Caulks and Sealants Short Course will help attendees gain a better understanding of the functions and applications of caulks and sealants. The course is designed for manufacturer, supplier or end-user company employees, and design engineering professionals. A basic chemistry background is assumed; however, no advanced knowledge is required.

The Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs) Short Course presents formulation strategies, based on application and performance requirements for a variety of PSA markets by industry professionals. Attendees can learn how plasticizers, tackifiers and polymers are used for optimized processing and enhanced properties, and gain an insight into the current methods of characterization and the details of PSA production.

Networking Opportunities

Several networking opportunities will allow attendees to meet and share ideas. In addition to a coffee lounge during the conference, attendees can meet at the Welcome Reception on Monday evening, the Expo and Reception on Tuesday afternoon, and on Wednesday at the Closing General Keynote and Reception.

The ASC Give Back Community Service Project also provides a chance for attendees to gather and work on a community service project. It takes place on Monday afternoon.

For more information, visit www.ascouncil.org.