ACD Press Release

ACD Celebrates 2026 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona

Arlington, VA –Today, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) welcomed over 600 members and industry leaders for its highly anticipated 2026 Annual Meeting held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event brings together chemical distribution industry thought leaders, suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers for three days of strategic conversations, business connections, and valuable insights that move our industry forward.

This year’s theme, “Create Value, Together,” captures the power of our united industry, where meaningful connections spark new ideas, candid conversations open doors, and shared experiences drive our collective progress.

“Every year, leaders in the chemical distribution industry gather to exchange ideas, discover new ways to lead, and better understand the challenges facing our industry with a program that features highly qualified subject-matter experts,” said Matthew Fridley, ACD Annual Meeting Chair and Vice President of Government Affairs at Brenntag North America, Inc. “But the best parts of these meetings aren’t always the educational sessions, it’s the connections we make. ACD’s Annual Meeting provides our members with an important opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, and build lasting relationships that strengthen and advance the chemical distribution industry for years to come.”

Highlights of the 2026 Annual Meeting agenda include:

• BE UNBREAKABLE: The Leadership Edge in Uncertain Times with former Senator Martha McSally: Leadership today moves faster than ever. The margin for error is thinner. Markets shift overnight. AI is reshaping industries in real time. Teams are navigating uncertainty, burnout, and constant change. In this session, Martha McSally introduces the WEDGE framework, a practical system for self-leadership. Audiences will walk away with practical strategies to lead with clarity under pressure and make faster, better decisions.
• Election Analysis with NBC Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki: Kornacki is renowned for breaking down complex data into understandable points to pinpoint key developments and trends. In this presentation, he pulls back the curtain on how elections are really won and lost — diving into voter trends, polling data, and the county-by-county dynamics that determine outcomes on Election Day. With the 2026 midterms just wrapping up, Kornacki brings his signature analytical lens to bear on what the results reveal about the American electorate and what they signal for the road ahead.

• Global Perspectives: What's Ahead for Major Economies in 2026 and Beyond with Economic & Financial Markets Expert Rebecca Patterson: After living, researching, and investing across three continents for more than 25 years, Rebecca Patterson brings a unique perspective to global macro forces and their impact on major regions of the world. Some of the questions she will address include:
  • Can the global economy escape a recession in the year ahead, and where will inflation settle?
  • Will intensifying political polarization across countries have significant economic consequences?
  • What countries are best positioned to push back against demographic trends and why? What happens if they fail?
  • How will the U.S.-China conflict flow through to economies and markets from here?

For more information on ACD’s Annual Meeting, click here.

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The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) partners with our more than 400 chemical distribution industry members to provide the education, connection, standards, and advocacy they need to responsibly move the essential products our world depends on. As leaders in the $27B+ chemical distribution industry, ACD member companies commit to the highest standards in quality, safety, sustainability, and performance through ACD Responsible Distribution^TM. For more information, visit www.acd-chem.com.