Meeting Agenda

ACD's ChemEdge 2026 Conference and Trade Show is Now Open!

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Registration

12:45 - 2:30 PM

Trade Show Open/Lunch

2:45 - 4:15 pm

Opening General Session - Grow Your Leaders & Culture
Erin Hatzikostas, Keynote Speaker

You love the idea that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” but when it comes to actually doing something about it, it feels like you’re trying to steer a cruise ship with a pool noodle. There are a million directions you could go, but it feels daunting, complicated, and overwhelming. When former CEO Erin Hatzikostas took over a struggling company, she felt the same way—until she stumbled upon the strategy she’d unknowingly been using her entire career: authenticity. And not the fluffy, feel-good kind, but a deliberate, strategic, bottom-line-boosting approach that transformed her company’s culture, skyrocketed trust, and tripled earnings. Now, after years of research, two best-selling books, and a whole lot of real-world testing, Erin has cracked the code on how to make creating authentic cultures and leaders as simple, tangible, and satisfying as floating on a pool noodle.

4:15 - 4:30 pm

Break

4:30 - 5:30 pm

Concurrent Sessions:

Compliance 101
Rosalee Del campo, ACD

Chemical distributors face a fast?moving and highly interconnected regulatory landscape shaped by agencies such as EPA, OSHA, DOT, FDA, and DHS. This Compliance?101 session introduces the fundamentals of what compliance means in chemical distribution and the core responsibilities every company must manage. Participants will gain a clear overview of today’s regulatory environment and the practical realities of keeping pace with frequent changes, while highlighting essential tools, government resources, and support available to help businesses understand new rules, track updates, and build strong, sustainable compliance programs. By the end of the session, attendees will understand the foundational elements of compliance and how to leverage ACD and federal resources to stay aligned with 2026 regulatory expectations.
From Chaos to Control: How ERP & AI Are Transforming Chemical Operations
Ray Bouhlel and Richard Gardner, Bryant Park Consulting

In this interactive session, you’ll explore how modern ERP and AI can automate chemical manufacturing by replacing siloed, disconnected systems. This discussion-driven session focuses on uncovering and mapping real industry challenges, including batch traceability, recipe and formula control, raw material variability, hazardous material handling, quality and lab data integration, production visibility, inventory accuracy, and compliance documentation. Insights gathered in real time will shape practical automation use cases and improvement opportunities throughout the session. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to reduce manual work, strengthen compliance readiness, and improve operational control with a unified, intelligent platform.

6:00 - 7:00 pm

Opening Reception on Expo Hall Floor

Thursday, August 13, 2026

7:00 am - 3:00 pm	Registration Open
7:45 - 9:30 am	From D.C. to Distribution: Federal Activity and What It Means for Your Business Eric R. Byer, ACD Get an inside look at the federal landscape and its potential impact on the distribution sector. Join ACD's Policy Team for a high?level update on federal activity, recent policy wins, and the evolving regulatory and political landscape. This session will explore the key issues shaping the operating environment for chemical distributors and highlight the emerging risks and opportunities that industry leaders should be watching.
9:45 - 11:30 am	Brunch on Trade Show Floor
11:30 am -12:30 pm	Concurrent Sessions: From Conformance to Compliance Pete Downing, Environment and Safety Solutions This session will focus on what is required to take a conforming Responsible Distribution or ISO program and drive your facility to compliance with applicable EHS requirements. You Got a Permit, Now What Sarah Bibilonisambolin, Braun Intertec Corporation Understanding air quality requirements and maintaining ongoing compliance can be challenging for small to medium-sized terminal operators. The number of acronyms alone – NSR, PBR, AEI, TRI, LDAR, NSPS, NESHAPs, etc. – along with the breadth of applicable air quality requirements and regulations can feel overwhelming. Specifically, there are at least fourteen federal regulations under the New Source Performance Standards and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants that are potentially applicable to terminal operations. Additionally, operators must consider potential Best Achievable Control Technology (BACT) requirements and applicable state-level regulations. This presentation will discuss decomposition of an air permit for the purpose of developing a robust and representative air compliance and recordkeeping program. Particularly, the presenters will discuss implementation and analysis of air quality recordkeeping and compliance programs.
12:30 -12:45 pm	Break
12:45 -1:45 pm	Concurrent Sessions: DEA's Chemical Controls Overview Kenya Howery & Amy Peacock, DEA Part of DEA's mission is to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of listed chemicals from legitimate sources while ensuring an adequate and uninterrupted supply for legitimate medical, commercial, and scientific needs. We would like the opportunity to provide a presentation to conference attendees outlining the regulations that pertain to listed chemicals. Building Sustainability into Daily Operations Nadya Avanesova, Houghton Chemical Corp. At Houghton Chemical Corporation, sustainability is embedded in how we operate every day, from production and logistics to energy use, waste management, and inventory practices. In my talk, I will share how we turn sustainability into practical action by working closely with our employees, vendors, and customers to optimize processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency across the supply chain. I will go over real examples of smarter logistics, more sustainable production, and continuous improvement initiatives that balance environmental responsibility with strong business performance.
1:45 - 3:00 pm	Ice Cream Social on Trade Show Floor
3:00 - 4:00 pm	Concurrent Sessions: Inside the Hot Zone: A First Responder’s Guide to Chemical Incident Tactics at Fixed Facilities and During Transport Adam McFadden & Chris Pfaff, Firehouse Training This interactive and visually engaging session provides awareness-level insight into how emergency responders—hazmat technicians, firefighters, and health & safety officers—approach chemical incidents across the supply chain. Attendees will gain a tactical perspective on chemical emergency recognition, containment, and mitigation strategies at both fixed facilities and during transportation emergencies involving bulk and packaged dangerous goods. Whether you’re managing a warehouse, dispatching tankers, or storing specialty chemicals, this session helps bridge the gap between industrial preparedness and emergency response execution. Session TBD Session Description TBD
4:00 - 4:15 pm	Break
4:15 - 5:15 pm	Concurrent Sessions: Understanding the Steps of a DOT Safety Audit Kyle Hummel, Brenntag North America DOT audits can happen with little or no notice. How stressful the process becomes depends on how well your company follows DOT regulations, keeps accurate records, and maintains compliance. Understanding what a DOT audit is, the different types, and how to prepare for a DOT audit through proper planning is key to passing successfully. Fishbowl Roundtable Each roundtable will feature a fishbowl brimming with a variety of challenges, questions, crucial industry topics, regulatory concerns, HR dilemmas, and more. Dive in and reel in a topic to engage in vibrant discussions with your tablemates. Let's cast our lines and embark on this intellectual fishing expedition together!
6:00 - 8:00 pm	Networking Event at TopGolf Atlanta Midtown (registration required)* Join us for a relaxed evening of networking at Topgolf, where attendees can connect and take a few swings in a fun, social setting. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a first-timer, Topgolf’s interactive games make it easy for everyone to participate while building new professional connections.
Friday, August 14, 2026
8:15 - 9:00 am	Continental Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30 am	General Session: The First 15 Minutes – Five Steps That Separate Media Success from Media Failure Gerard Braud, Situation Hub Our egos tell us we run a safe business and the likelihood of a crisis happening is small. But reality tells us that an employee’s momentary lack of judgement, an unlikely mechanical failure, or a transpiration incident beyond our control, can rock us to our core. One minute all is well, and the next minute you simultaneously have a business crisis and a media crisis. As you manage your crisis, are you also ready to manage the media as they descend upon you? In this in-depth, interactive program, you’ll do a deep dive on the five steps you need to complete and all the decisions you’ll need to make in the first 15 minutes of your crisis. In an all-new presentation, media and crisis communications expert Gerard Braud will get your heart racing as the clock is counting down. We’ll show you what it takes to go from the flashpoint of your crisis to your first media statement in as few as 15 minutes.
10:30 am	Meeting Adjourn