TAPPICon® 2026 delivered on its promise—bringing people, ideas, and innovation together under one vision.
TAPPICon® 2026 delivered a powerful and unifying experience for the global forest products community, bringing together more than 1,400 attendees from 27 countries. With a dynamic blend of technical insight, industry leadership, and meaningful connection, this year’s conference fully embodied its theme: “Uniting the Industry. Powering the Future.” From the moment the event began, it was clear that TAPPICon 2026 had raised the bar—bringing together global perspectives, cutting-edge innovation, and a renewed sense of industry unity.
From the outset, the State of the Industry presentation by Matt Elhardt of ResourceWise set the tone for the entire week. Widely regarded as a standout session, its insights resonated deeply with attendees and became a frequent topic of conversation throughout the event, reinforcing its significance in shaping dialogue across the conference.
The exhibit floor featured 130 leading suppliers, showcasing the latest innovations and technologies shaping the future of the industry. Across the conference, 12 key forest industry segments were represented, including Engineering, Paper & Board, Pulp, Tissue, PIMA Management, Coating/Printing/Surface Enhancement, Process Control, Advanced Renewable Materials, Recycled Paper, Process & Product Quality, Women in Industry, and Young Professionals—reflecting the breadth and diversity of the sector.
TAPPI President and CEO Lawton C. Roberts commented, “TAPPICon is unique—you can come from any part of this industry and feel welcome.” “You see giants in the industry who have been here for decades alongside students attending their first TAPPICon. It’s amazing to see those groups come together.”
This year also introduced a refreshed program structure designed to enhance engagement and learning. The new format—Mill Monday, Technical Tuesday, and Workshop Wednesday—provided a clear and focused flow for attendees to dive deeper into content tailored to their interests and expertise.
With more than 230 expert speakers sharing insights across a wide range of technical presentations and panel discussions, TAPPICon 2026 delivered exceptional opportunities for professional growth. Popular sessions such as the Executive Panel, Standards Hack-A-Thon, Hot Topics, and Paper Roundtables drew strong attendance and lively discussions.
Networking remained a cornerstone of the TAPPICon experience, with more than 40 opportunities for attendees to connect, collaborate, and build lasting relationships. These interactions reinforced the event’s role as a hub for knowledge exchange and community building.
Recognition and celebration of industry excellence were also central to this year’s event. Eleven distinguished leaders were inducted as Fellows (Class of 2026), while more than 35 individuals received Association and Division awards. Among the top honors, Dr. Douglas W. Coffin received TAPPI’s highest distinction, the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award, and Margaret Gorog was honored with the prestigious Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award.
Take a look at the TAPPICon 2026 Highlight video.
This year’s event not only highlighted the current strength of the industry but also set a clear vision for its future. By bringing together global perspectives, cutting-edge ideas, and a shared commitment to advancement, the event proved once again why it remains a cornerstone gathering for professionals across the forest products sector.
TAPPICon 2027 will be held on April 24-28 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Visit tappicon.org for more information.
