Powder Coating Week Reconvenes to Educate, Network and Exhibit

By Lori Beckman

(All photos courtesy of Powder Coating Institute)

Another landmark edition of the Powder Coating Institute’s Powder Coating Week 2026 was assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana, from March 2-4, at JW Marriott Indianapolis. The event brought together powder coaters from all segments of the industry, including end users, OEMs and suppliers to this niche of the surface finishing market.

For many years, PCI has hosted an annual conference with the intent of educating those who use powder coating as well as those who are curious about the technology. As it has in recent years, this year offered four distinct parts: a Powder Coating 101 Workshop, a Technical Conference, a Custom Coater Forum as well as Tabletop Exhibits, all of which focused heavily on education, networking and career development.

“What made PC Week Indianapolis a success wasn’t just the turnout—it was the feedback. Hosting our first PC Week in a new city with a new PCI team meant growth moments, and we welcomed them,” said Teddy Piepkow, PCI president and director of sales, Americas at Nordson Corp. “With insights from nearly 100 attendees and exhibitors, including many end users, we’re committed to turning those voices into action as we prepare for the Business Growth Summit in New Orleans in October this year and PC Week Orlando in 2027.”

Keynote Speaker Derek Deprey, who presented, “Become the Leader You’d Want to Follow,” as well as an AI Intensive Training Workshop by Brett Gajda, were two new highlights at the 2026 edition, creating a buzz among attendees.

This year’s event drew 425 overall attendees including a record number of tabletop exhibitors at 103. The Custom Coater Forum also broke a record with the highest registration number ever, at 59. This number is nearly double the 28 registrants for the Forum in 2025. Overall, 2026 was a strong year for Powder Coating Week, as the annual event continues to perform above pre-pandemic levels.

 Teddy Piepkow, PCI president and director of sales, Americas at Nordson Corp., opened the conference by introducing PCI board members and new PCI staff members. 

101 Workshop

Although most Power Coating 101 Workshops are held at an industry supplier site and occur on a bimonthly basis in different locations, PCI traditionally offers this workshop during Powder Coating Week as well. But like most 101 workshops, this day-and-a-half comprehensive introduction to fundamental powder coating skills included information about materials, application techniques, reclamation, quality control and the manufacturing process.

Taught by industry experts, the workshop was an opportunity for attendees to learn process insights, surface preparation best practices, system design, racking and environmental considerations, ovens, curing, measurement and testing equipment. 

For instance, on Day 1, Tom Whalen from TCI Powder Coatings, presented, “Choosing and Testing the Correct Powder Coating,” and Suresh Patel from BASF spoke about pretreatment, to name only a couple of the talks given that day. Russ Green from Midwest Finishing Systems kicked off Day 2 of the workshop with his presentation, “Introduction to System Design.” The workshop ended that morning with a final exam and certificate distribution.

“Powder Coating Week 2026 was again a solid platform for end users to come and get all their questions answered,” said Ryan Allen, PCI education committee chair, and Gema’s regional manager, Midwest and Canada. “This event gives powder coaters, no matter whether a one-gun batch shop, or a large production line, access to experts in all facets of the process with tabletop time and technical presentations. As a former end user myself I would strongly encourage businesses to look at what they would like to improve in this process and look at attending Powder Coating Week 2027 in Orlando.  I look forward to seeing you all there.”

Custom Coater Forum

Designed specifically for custom coaters, the half-day Custom Coater Forum on Day 1 brought together peers and industry leaders for an expert panel discussion as well as small group roundtable discussions focused on timely business issues, real-world insights and solutions.

The panel discussion opened the forum and was moderated by PCI Technical Director Steve Ladatto. Panelists David Flatten, president at Inland Powder Coating (Ontario, California), and Joe Cochran, V.P. of World Wide Powder Coatings (formerly Thomarios Powder Coating, Copely, Ohio), shared their insights about how to be successful business leaders or managers in the sometimes-challenging environment of a powder shop. Process documentation and standard operating procedures, money-saving tactics, partnerships/relationships with other powder shops, contingency planning, quality and customer service were among the topics discussed with attendee participation.

The importance of PCI certification and the benefits of earning this accomplishment was a large part of the conversation. Flatten, who stated his company was one of the first to be PCI 3000 certified, said the certification holds his shop accountable for maintaining equipment, high-quality standards and specifications as well as creating training documentation and more. He added that the certification instills pride in the staff and the organization, which is an invaluable asset to any business.

The panel discussion was followed by roundtable discussions organized by PCI board member, Sean Hubbard, president and CEO of Rush Powder Coatings Inc. (Indianapolis, Indiana). Each table focused on subjects related to powder coating business management or processes, including heat treating/curing, insurance, PCI certification, staff retention, powder reuse/recycling and customer communication.

"The Custom Coater Forum exceeded every expectation this year, with record attendance and a level of participation that made it hard to keep us on schedule in the best possible way,” Hubbard said. “Seeing four companies leave ready to pursue PCI certification confirmed what I've believed all along: When you give custom coaters the right room and the right conversation, they show up and they act. That’s exactly the kind of real action PCI is driving for our industry."

The Custom Coater Forum had 59 registrants, the largest number yet for that segment of Powder Coating Week. Consisting of a speaker panel and round table discussions, the forum was a prime opportunity for custom coaters to ask questions about business strategies and processes to their more seasoned colleagues while networking at the same time. 

Tabletop Exhibits

On the first night of Powder Coating Week, the exhibit hall opened with industry supplier/OEM tabletop exhibits during the welcome reception, benefiting exhibitors and attendees alike. While exhibitors displayed their product offerings, the opportunity enabled both groups to network, share industry stories and learn from each other.

Day 2 gave exhibitors and attendees two more chances to connect, while the exhibit hall was open again at lunch and during an evening reception.

Casey Cook, sales engineer at Quality Finishing Systems, and an exhibitor, said, “Attending PCW 2026 as an exhibitor helped generate at least 5 to 10 solid leads from others in the industry that I was quickly in contact with the following week, creating business now, and partnerships that I hope will be long-term continued relationships for business.”

“It’s always nice to have the opportunity to greet friends and colleagues, to catch up and connect with the industry,” Pedro Castillo, VP of operations at Therma-Tron-X Inc., and an exhibitor, said about the tabletop exhibit opportunity.

Keynote Speaker Derek Deprey’s leadership presentation encouraged small actions that lead to big results. “Leadership shows up in everyday choices. Holding the standard when it would be easier not to. Sharing what you’ve learned with someone newer to the trade. Taking pride in doing the job right even when no one is watching,” Deprey said. “Small actions over time lead to stronger teams, better cultures and industries that continue to move forward.”

Technical Conference

The day-long Technical Conference on Day 2 kicked off with a breakfast and new PCI team introduction by PCI President Teddy Piepkow. Then, the breakout sessions commenced, as attendees dispersed into three separate rooms depending on the subject matter of interest.

The Powder Coating 101 Workshop was an option for powder coaters new to the industry to get a first-hand look at the process during the event. The day-and-a-half segment included information about materials, application techniques, reclamation, quality control and the manufacturing process. 

Breakout sessions included talks from experts on topics such as “Furthering the Sustainability Story for Powder,” “Powder for the Electrification Market,” “IR Ovens – A Recipe to Drive Profits,” and “Reduce Waste and Increase Productivity.”

To add a theatrical twist to the conference, “Troubleshooting Like a Superhero,” featuring Marty Sawyer from Trimac Industrial Systems, John Cole from Parker Ionics, Jeff Hale from Gema, Michael Wittenhagen from Vitracoat, and Jeff Blain from Circle Prosco, shared a humorous production dressed as “The Avengers of Finish.”

On a similar platform without the costumes, “Herrreee’s Powder—An Advanced Session on Powder,” was presented in an entertaining talk show format featuring Cole from Parker Ionic, Steve Houston from Vitracoat and Brian Korecky from Bulk Chemicals Inc.

The supplier/OEM exhibits, opened several times throughout the event, offered time for connecting with colleagues, learning about powder coating equipment, products and processes, while also enjoying food and beverages.

Networking with Young Professionals

On the evening of Day 2, Powder Coating Week’s young professionals, or those under 40, met at Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery in downtown Indianapolis to network, socialize, enjoy food and beverages and test their knowledge of powder coating with a competitive game of trivia. Despite the stormy evening, the invite-only event attracted about 40 people.

PCI’s Powder Coating Week provided a professional and supportive network of knowledgeable industry experts and end users striving to learn more about their trade all in one location. The positive energy and educational focus hopefully triggered action for most attendees, like it did for Cook from Quality Finishing.

“This event motivated me to continue my growth and development in the industry and made me want to connect more with others in the association,” Cook concluded. “I am interested in joining a PCI committee and contribute any way I can while also learning more. I would love to be a part of PCI further in order to have a strong support in the field that is well rounded, from all different backgrounds.”

Thank you to all PCI Powder Coating Week 2026 sponsors for a successful event!

AI Workshop

With AI top of mind for most people these days, an enlightening workshop on AI best practices for business engaged attendees on Powder Coating Week’s final day. Brett Gajda’s immersive 3.5-hour workshop, “AI Training & Tools for the Future,” served as a fitting finale to the conference. Focused on practical applications of AI, Gajda introduced a range of platforms while demonstrating many tips and tricks that both surprised and energized the audience. The workshop sparked lively discussion afterward, with many participants eager to implement what they had learned in their own operations.

“The New Immersive Workshop: AI Training & Tools for the Future,” presented by Brett Gajda, intrigued the crowd for 3.5 hours on the final day. Gajda shared tips and tricks on optimal use of AI for business management. “Brilliant group! Big respect to the high level of engagement and openness to learning in the room. Thanks for having me,” he said about the workshop attendees.

Future Events

Whether you were unable to attend this edition of Powder Coating Week or are interested in attending again next year, mark your calendars for Powder Coating Week 2027, April 12-14, 2027, in Orlando, Florida. And, as an extension of this year’s PCW, the first-ever PCI Business Growth Summit is scheduled for Oct. 5-7, 2026, at the Higgins Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. This new non-technical conference is designed to address the most pressing business challenges facing the industry. Sessions will focus on leadership development, strategic growth, operational efficiency, sales, optimizing and workforce dynamics, with content tailored specifically for owners, executives and decision makers from powder coating job shops, OEMs and supply chain partners.

Attendees, who can be PCI members and non-members, can expect insights from nationally recognized experts in economics, leadership, pricing and marketing, along with interactive breakout sessions and peer roundtables that encourage collaboration.

Marty Sawyer from Trimac Industrial Systems, John Cole from Parker Ionics, Michael Wittenhagen from Vitracoat, Jeff Hale from Gema, and Jeff Blain from Circle Prosco, presented a comedic yet informative production of “The Avengers of Finish: Battling Dr. Defect with the Power of Troubleshooting.”