PROGRAM SCHEDULEPROGRAM SCHEDULE
Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, October 20
ASC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (includes lunch)
Del Prado Room, 5th Floor Conference Level
5:45 to 6:15 p.m. SPOUSE/GUEST MEET AND GREET RECEPTION
South Terrace Room, 5th Floor Conference Level
This event is designed for spouses/guests to network and plan out the next two and half days.
6:15 to 9:30 p.m. OPENING RECEPTION & DINNER
South Terrace Room, 5th Floor Conference Level
All registered guests are invited to attend.
Tuesday, October 21
6:15 a.m. MORNING WELLNESS: ASC YOGA CLASS – Exercise Studio, Ground Level
Instructor: Megan Gluth, Leadership & Motivational Speaker
Stretch out your day with some morning yoga. Registered guests are welcome.
7:30 a.m. REGISTRATION – Del Prado Room Foyer, 5th Floor Conference Level
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. NETWORKING BREAKFAST – South Terrace Room, 5th Floor Conference Level
All attendees, including registered guests, are invited to this breakfast.
ALL SESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE DEL PRADO MEETING ROOM, 5TH FLOOR CONFERENCE LEVEL.
8:30 to 8:45 a.m. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
8:45 to 10:00 a.m. INNOVATION LEADERSHIP: PERSPECTIVE FROM THE TRENCHES
Fireside chat with Dr. Jayshree Seth, Chief Science Advocate & Corporate Scientist at 3M
A corporate innovator with 80 patents and over three decades of experience developing innovative products and technologies at 3M, Jayshree provides a unique and practical viewpoint on the topics of innovation, leadership, culture and careers. In 2025, Jayshree was named to the prestigious Thinkers50 Radar that lists thought leaders whose ideas are most likely to shape the future of organizations and management. In this session we will be discussing some of these ideas, actionable frameworks and mental models, useful for corporate innovators, managers, executives and leaders as they navigate the current business landscape.
10:00 to 10:15 a.m. BREAK & BOOK SIGNING – Del Prado Room Foyer, 5th Floor Conference Level
10:00 a.m. to SPOUSE/GUEST EXPLORE & RESTORE
2:30 p.m.
Put your detective skills to the test! First, embark on a scavenger hunt for Don CeSar trivia to win a prize. Then, it’s time to unwind and rejuvenate with a relaxing afternoon at the spa (10% off all spa treatments).
10:20 to DISRUPT BEFORE YOU’RE DISRUPTED: THE CASE FOR 11:20 a.m. INTENTIONAL REINVENTION
Stephan Liozu, Ph.D., Founder, Value Disruption Advisors
Disruption is no longer an occasional storm—it’s the climate for the next few years. After five years of supply chain shocks, geopolitical instability, digital acceleration, and shifting customer expectations, the challenge for industrial leaders is not just to adapt but to evolve proactively. In this keynote, we will explore why leading through disruption now means mastering the art of self-disruption. We’ll examine the major forces reshaping the adhesives and sealants industry—from technology to sustainability to new business models—and why traditional strategy tools fall short in today’s fractured and dynamic landscape. More importantly, we’ll outline what it takes to build an organization that is agile by design and resilient in practice. This includes shifting from linear planning to dynamic navigation, fostering a growth mindset that embrace experimentation, and rethinking leadership to prepare teams for the next inevitable disruptive break—not just the one they’ve just weathered. Whether you’re facing macroeconomic headwinds or breakthrough innovation challenges, this session will equip you with a leadership lens for building businesses that don’t just survive disruption—but grow through it.
11:25 a.m. to ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS M&A UPDATE – VALUE
12:25 p.m.
CREATION CONSIDERATIONS
Alain Harfouche, Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Securities, LLC. In this presentation, we will provide an update on the Adhesives and Sealants M&A market, including recent sector and valuation trends. We will highlight drivers of M&A activity, the role of financial sponsors in scaling platforms, and share perspectives on various value enhancing strategies.
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. NETWORKING LUNCH
South Terrace Room, 5th Floor Conference Level All attendees, including registered guests, are invited to this lunch.
Sponsored by:
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. THE AI
IMPERATIVE: REIMAGINING SUPPLY CHAIN, PROFIT MARGINS, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Lisa Yu, Founder & President, American Gold Standard
AI is no longer optional - it’s a strategic imperative for executives seeking competitive advantage in today’s rapidly evolving adhesive and sealant industry. This session will explore how AI is leveraged to predict supply chain disruptions, optimize inventory management, significantly reduce manufacturing costs, and deliver highly personalized customer experiences. Drawing from real-world examples, attendees will gain actionable insights into some of the most profound disruptors to our industry.
2:30 to 2:45 p.m. DAY ONE WRAP UP
2:45 to 5:45 p.m.
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT – Grab your team and meet on the Sunset Beach Deck for an afternoon of team building & networking! TIME ON YOUR OWN
CHAIR’S RECEPTION & DINNER WITH HALL OF FAME AWARD PRESENTATION
South Terrace Room, 5th Floor Conference Level
Join us to celebrate the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees.
Wednesday, October 22
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. NETWORKING BREAKFAST – South Terrace Room, 5th Floor Conference Level
8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
All attendees, including registered guests, are invited to this breakfast.
RESILIENCE UNDER PRESSURE: LEADING THROUGH INDUSTRY DISRUPTIONS WITH VISION AND INSTINCT
Megan Gluth, Leadership & Motivational Speaker
The chemical industry faces constant change economic shifts, regulatory pressures, and supply chain disruptions create an unpredictable landscape. Yet, the best leaders don’t just react, they anticipate, adapt, and stay committed to their long-term vision. Meg will share how leaders can develop pattern recognition learning to spot early signals of industry change and make bold moves before disruption hits. She’ll discuss the role of gut instinct in decision-making, balancing data-driven analysis with the intuition that comes from experience. How do you know when to pivot and when to stay the course? Drawing from her own journey of overcoming personal and professional adversity from financial struggles to addiction recovery, Meg will illustrate how resilience is built in moments of uncertainty and how setbacks, when framed correctly, can become a competitive advantage.
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. OUTLOOK FOR THE ECONOMY AND ADHESIVE & SEALANT INDUSTRY
Kevin Swift, Managing Director, Swift Economic LLC
Dr. Swift will examine how the US and global economy has performed and what we should expect. After examining the macroeconomic landscape, he will then examine the prospects for building & construction, automotive, other OEM, and consumer markets. Dr. Swift will then assess the outlook for adhesives and sealants in the United States and beyond. Finally, he will review megatrends shaping long-term adhesive and sealant markets.
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. NAVIGATING TARIFF & TRADE IMPACTS: OPEN FORUM ON CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND APPROACHES
Moderator: Bill Allmond, President, ASC
The global trade war is reshaping supply chains and directly impacting costs and competitiveness for the adhesives and sealants industry. This executive-level session will provide attendees with an understanding of implications across the value chain. Participants will be invited to share their experience navigating through the difficult business environment caused by tariffs along with strategies companies are using to mitigate risks.
11:30 to 11:45 a.m. DAY TWO WRAP UP
Noon to 5:30 p.m. AFTERNOON ON YOUR OWN
• Golf Outing – Bardmoor Golf Club
Bardmoor was founded in 1971 by Oliver Bardes, a wealthy Ohio industrialist who was an avid golfer. Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club is one of the premier public golf courses in the Tampa Bay area. For more than a dozen years, the Club was the host site for the PGA and LPGA JCPenney Classic, as well as many prestigious local tournaments. Registered attendees should meet at the South Entrance at 11:30 a.m. for a 11:45 a.m. departure. Lunch will be provided.
• Egmont Key Island Tour with Lunch
Egmont Key Island boat ride offers great chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and sometimes even manatees! Scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Includes lunch. Registered attendees should meet at the South Entrance at 11:45 a.m. for a noon departure. Lunch will be provided.
6:00 to 9:00 p.m. HAVANA NETWORKING RECEPTION & DINNER
South Beach Pavilion, Ground Level
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
ALAIN HARFOUCHE
Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Securities
Alain is a Senior Managing Director in the Industrial Investment Banking Group of Guggenheim Securities. He has over a decade of experience advising Chemicals and Materials companies on growth and value creation strategies. Prior to joining Guggenheim, Alain served as Managing Director and Head of Chemicals at KeyBanc Capital Markets. Throughout his tenure at Guggenheim and KeyBanc, Alain was involved in over 50 M&A assignments and 60 DCM and ECM transactions for companies in the Chemicals and Materials sector. He has strong domain expertise spanning commodities, intermediates, and specialties, with notable experience in engineered materials, additives, fine chemicals (Electronics, Personal Care, Lifesciences). Prior to his investment banking career, Alain worked in transaction advisory services at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte. Alain graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Finance and Accounting from CSU and holds several designations including a CPA license (inactive).
MEGAN GLUTH, Leadership & Motivational Speaker
Meg Gluth is the owner and CEO of Catalynt Solutions, Inc., one of the largest certified women-owned chemical distributors in North America. She is the First Female Chair of the Board of the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), driving industry innovation and leadership. Under her guidance, Catalynt was named to the 2023 Middle Market Fast 50 list by Puget Sound Business Journal, where she was also honored as a Fast 50 Leader. Meg is a winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023, recognizing her impact on business growth and innovation.
STEPHAN LIOZU, PH.D.
Founder,
Value Disruption Advisors
Stephan M. Liozu, Ph.D.(www.stephanliozu.com) is an organizational scientist and a renowned “Agent of Disruption.” He is the Chief Value Officer of Zilliant (Stephan.liozu@ zilliant.com). Stephan has 30 years of experience in the industrial sector with companies like Owens Corning, Saint-Gobain, Freudenberg, Ardex, and Thales. Stephan specializes in organizational transformations, innovative business models, and value-based strategies. Stephan holds a Ph.D. in Management from Case Western Reserve University (2013), an MS in Innovation Management from Toulouse School of Management (2005), and an MBA in Marketing from Cleveland State University (1991). Stephan authored eight books: Valuebased Pricing: 12 Lessons to Make your Transformation Successful (2024) The Industrial Subscription Economy (2022), B2G Pricing (2020), Monetizing Data (2018), Value Mindset (2017), Dollarizing Differentiation Value (2016), The Pricing Journey (2015) and Pricing and Human Capital (2015). He also co-edited seven books: Monetizing and Pricing Sustainability (2023), Digital Pricing Strategies (2023), Pricing: The New CEO Imperative (2021), Pricing Implementation (2019), Pricing and the Salesforce (2015), The ROI of Pricing (2014), and Innovation in Pricing – Contemporary Theories and Best Practices (2012 &2017). Stephan sits on the Advisory Board of the Professional Pricing Society.
JAYSHREE SETH
Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate, 3M
Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and currently holds 80 patents for a variety of innovations. She joined 3M in 1993 after an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York. Jayshree was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science and the importance of STEM-based innovation and a robust talent pipeline to drive it. Jayshree is also a member of Carlton Society, the 3M science and innovation “Hall of Fame.” In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award and in 2025, she was named to the prestigious Thinkers50 Radar spotlighting thinkers whose ideas are most likely to shape the future. Jayshree is a TEDx speaker and was also featured in a docuseries titled Not the Science Type. She is the author of The Heart of Science trilogy published by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and all sales proceeds go to a scholarship for women in STEM. She is a sought-after speaker on a multitude of topics such as innovation, leadership, careers and STEM advocacy and has featured in local, national and international media.
KEVIN SWIFT
Managing Director, Swift Economic
LLC
Dr. Swift is managing director of Swift Economics, a consultancy specializing in the interaction of the economy and specialty & fine chemical markets. He also is an economic advisor at ICIS where he is responsible for quarterly thought pieces addressing key market dynamics and is demand advisor for long-term supply demand balances. He joined ICIS after retiring as chief economist at the American Chemistry Council. Prior to joining ACC, Dr. Swift headed market research and forecasting at two consultancies.. He started his career at Dow Chemical. Dr. Swift is a Fellow and former president of the National Association for Business Economics and a member of the Harvard Discussion Group of Industrial Economists and National Business Economics Issues Council. He is a member of The Wall Street Journal Forecasters’ Survey panel and other forecast survey panels. Author of A History of American Business Cycles.
LISA YU
Founder & President, American Gold Standard
Lisa Yu is the founder and president of American Gold Standard, an AI-forward next generation business growth consulting firm. She also serves as Managing Partner and Practice Lead for Growth Acceleration and M&A at Pepper Foster Consulting. With over 20 years of experience as a C-suite advisor, Lisa has collaborated with numerous clients to tackle critical growth challenges. Previously, Lisa held leadership roles at TCS’ Manufacturing M&A Practice and Accenture Strategy Practice. She is renowned for championing next-generation technologies to propel business growth and developing innovative strategic approaches to amplify business growth. Her expertise is showcased in various publications, including “AI for M&A - Hype or Substance?” Lisa holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business and is a graduate of Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management’s “Leading with Analytics Powered Strategy” executive program.
THE DON CESAR
All Sessions
Opening Reception & Dinner (Monday)
Hall of Fame
Reception & Dinner
Breakfast/Lunch
Bus Departure
BOD Meeting
Closing Reception & Dinner
Cornhole Tournament