PHOENIX, AZ
OCTOBER 17-20
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge
Saturday, October 17
7:30 am – 5:30 pm
ILMA Base Camp / Registration
ILMA Base Camp is your Engage meeting hub to check in or register, grab a refreshment or snack, network with attendees and browse sponsor tabletop displays.
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Global Affairs & Trade Committee Meeting
If your company does or is considering doing business internationally, this is the forum for you. Come get the latest information on shipping, sanctions compliance, global chemicals registration and more. All are welcome.
2:25 pm – 3:25 pm
Engine and Transmission Committee Meeting
Engine oil and transmission fluid stakeholders will meet to discuss the most pressing issues for this industry segment. All are welcome.
3:35 pm – 4:35 pm
Innovative Business Council Meeting
Are you ready to help spread the word about our industry among young people across the world? Dive into ILMA’s new global social media initiative to promote the lubricants industry, which this committee will help succeed. All are welcome.
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
New Member and First Time Attendee Reception
Calling all newbies! Wondering how to make the most of your first ILMA meeting experience? Take advantage of the opportunity to mix and mingle with ILMA Board members, committee chairs and top tier sponsors to find out what ILMA and ILMA meetings are all about.
Sponsored by Functional Products
5:45 pm – 7:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Celebrate the start of #ILMA2026 with some networking, drinks and light fare while watching the sun set over Phoenix.
Sponsored by Italmatch
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
ILMA Base Camp / Registration
ILMA Base Camp is your Engage meeting hub to check in or register, grab a refreshment or snack, network with attendees and browse sponsor tabletop displays.
7:00 am – 8:00 am
ILMA Boot Camp
New this year, ILMA's Boot Camp combines strength, cardio and core training through instructor-led stations and timed rotations designed to get you moving, energized and ready for the days ahead. Whether you work out every day, take the occasional walk or simply want to shake off your travel day, every exercise can be modified and every fitness level is welcome.
7:30 am– 1:30 pm (shotgun start at 8:00 am)
ILMA Foundation Golf Tournament (SOLD OUT – Contact Tim Mack to be placed on the waitlist.)
Designed by Sir Nick Faldo, the Faldo Championship Course at Wildfire Golf Club offers a unique take on Arizona desert golf. Rather than a traditional target-style desert layout, Faldo drew inspiration from the famous Australian Sandbelt courses, creating a course with wide fairways, large greens, and strategic bunkering that rewards thoughtful shot-making. Registration includes greens fee, practice range, sleeve of golf balls, boxed hot breakfast, bottled water and two drink tickets per person.
Co-sponsored by Calumet and Vertex Energy
8:00 am – 12:00 pm (play begins at 8:30 am)
Croquet Tournament
Break out your best all-white activewear and get ready for a good time. The Croquet Tournament is a long-time ILMA Annual Meeting favorite. Continental breakfast is provided, along with mimosas and bloody marys.
Co-sponsored by Grace Matthews & Idemitsu Lubricants
9:00 am – 11:30 am (play begins at 9:30 am)
Pickleball Tournament
Beginner, intermediate and experienced players are welcome in this round robin tournament. Racquet rental plus a refresher clinic before play is included, along with refreshments.
9:00 am - 12:00 pm (shuttle departs at 8:15am)
Clay Shooting
Clay shooting is a form of clay pigeon shooting often referred to as "golf with a shotgun" because a course typically includes different shooting stations laid out over natural terrain. Each participant will shoot up to 50 targets under the supervision of an NRA certified instructor. Transportation and continental breakfast will be provided. Experience is not necessary.
3:00 pm – 4:45 pm
SHERA Committee Meeting
Make sure you’re up to date on the latest regulatory proposals affecting our industry. The information shared among members in this forum helps ILMA speak to regulators with authority. All are welcome.
5:45 pm – 7:00 pm
Opening Reception
Mingle, sip, and savor as we reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
ILMA Base Camp / Registration
ILMA Base Camp is your Engage meeting hub to check in or register, grab a refreshment or snack, network with attendees and browse sponsor tabletop displays.
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Breakfast of Champions Sports Awards & Video
Start your day with a breakfast buffet and find out who won Sunday’s sports tournaments. Check out your colleagues’ sharp shots and crazy antics in the video of events.
Co-sponsored by Novel Reliable Technologies and RichardsApex
9:15 am – 10:45 am
General Session with Keynote Speaker Suneel Gupta
The Game of Now: The Energy to Lead Through Uncertain Times
The pace of change has outgrown our ability to plan, and it's draining the people doing the work. So what if, instead of waiting for certainty to give you the courage to act, you took action and let courage catch up? In this timely keynote, Suneel Gupta reframes uncertainty as something to engage with, not eliminate, and shares how to protect your energy, and your team's, when the world no longer waits until you're ready. You'll leave steadier, with practical ways to take your next step and bring your people with you.
11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Sustainability Committee Meeting
With sustainability and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations becoming increasingly important for business success, this group aims to help ILMA members leverage sustainability to meet their long-term goals and objectives. All are welcome.
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Plated Lunch Session: Navigating the Future of Base Stocks: Demand Shifts, Supply Realities, and Strategic Choices
As global economic growth, evolving vehicle technologies, and increasing industrial activity continue to shape lubricant requirements, base stock selection remains a critical strategic decision for lubricant manufacturers. This presentation examines long-term demand trends across lubricant applications, highlighting the growing role of Group II, III, and IV base stocks. It also explores the implications of global supply-demand imbalances, expanding trade dependencies, and supply chain risks, offering perspectives on how industry participants can position themselves to meet future performance requirements while improving supply resilience.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Perk Up! Speciality Coffee Break
Perk Up! with an artisanal specialty coffee from our Base Camp barista and head into the next session refreshed.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
CEO Meet & Greet
connect with ILMA's chief executive officer, Holly Alfano. Stop by to ask questions, share feedback, or simply say hello – whether about ILMA, your membership, or the industry at large.
2:45 pm – 4:30 pm
MWF Committee Meeting
The Metalworking Fluids (MWF) Committee follows issues concerning manufacturers and suppliers in the metalworking lubricants sector. All are welcome.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
ILMA Base Camp / Registration
ILMA Base Camp is your Engage meeting hub to check in or register, grab a refreshment or snack, network with attendees and browse sponsor tabletop displays.
8:00 am– 9:00 am
Manufacturing Member Business Meeting & Breakfast (ILMA Manufacturing Members only)
Grab a bite to eat and get the lowdown on all of ILMA's activities and where your membership dollars are going. Ask ILMA leadership your questions about Association operations and leadership.
8:00 am– 9:00 am
Breakfast Buffet
Enjoy the most important meal of the day as you plan your time ahead with your colleagues or take advantage of a networking opportunity.
9:00 am – 11:00 am
ILMA Book & Film Club
We'll be serving light bites while diving into engaging conversations about our selected books and films. Whether you're a movie buff, a bookworm, or simply curious, there's something for everyone. Don't worry if you haven't had the chance to read every book or watch every film. We'll provide a summary of all the selections, so you can still join in the conversation and see if any pique your interest. Stop by to relax, make new friends and explore the world of books and films together.
Book & Film List: The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods, Diva by Daisy Goodwin, Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda, Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, The Residence (Netflix), The Sirens (Netflix), My Father's Violin (Netflix)
9:15 am– 10:30 am
LubeTrends Live! Competing in a Volatile Global Market: Smarter Supply Chains for Lubricant Manufacturers
Global disruption, logistics pressure and emerging supply chain technologies are reshaping how lubricant manufacturers compete. This ILMA LubeTrends Town Hall will bring together a varied panel of industry experts for a focused discussion on how manufacturers can build more resilient, efficient and responsive operations. Panelists will share practical perspectives on today’s toughest business challenges, from supply chain risk and global market uncertainty to the technologies changing how companies plan, source, produce and deliver.
10:40 am– 11:40 am
What’s Next in Lubricant Manufacturing: Emerging Technologies and Market Shifts
From 3D printing and immersion cooling fluids to AI-enabled plant operations and formulation tools, new technologies are beginning to reshape how lubricant manufacturers think about production, product development and future growth. This panel discussion will explore the trends gaining momentum across the industry and what they could mean for lubricant manufacturers in the years ahead. Panelists will discuss where innovation is already creating opportunity, where adoption challenges remain and how companies can evaluate which technologies are most relevant to their business.
7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
ILMA President's Dinner and After Hours: Disco in the Desert 🕺🏻 🪩 🌵
Get ready to boogie the night away at the ILMA President’s Dinner and After Hours: Disco in the Desert! We’re turning up the sparkle for an unforgettable evening filled with great food, a live disco band, a dazzling dance floor, groovy décor, and plenty of fun photo-worthy props. Dust off your bell bottoms, shine up those platform shoes, and channel your inner disco diva or dancing king in your best '70s-inspired look. Think sequins, fringe, bold prints, oversized shades, and plenty of flair. Come ready to dance, laugh, celebrate, and make a few fabulous memories with your ILMA friends. It’s the perfect way to close out the conference, so dress to impress, bring your best moves, and get ready for some serious Disco in the Desert, because Stayin’ Alive has never looked this good!
Dinner sponsored by Penthol, Wine sponsored by Motiva, Dessert sponsored by Soltex, Entertainment sponsored by Battenfeld, Table Signs sponsored by Forsythe Lubrication, After Hours sponsored by Tulstar, After Hours Photo Booth sponsored by Aorun