Canadian Coatings Conference
Coatings for the Future: Shaping What's Next
The Canadian Coatings Conference is the flagship event for the CASE industry, proudly hosted by the Canadian Coatings Association (CCA). This must-attend event delivers leading technical, regulatory, economic, political, and trade intelligence, while providing members with opportunities to engage and network with colleagues, customers, and suppliers.
The conference will take place May 20–21, 2026, in downtown Toronto at the iconic OMNI King Edward Hotel, offering a premier setting just steps from Union Station, with direct UP Express rail service to and from Pearson International Airport.
This year, for the first time, CCA is excited to introduce an expanded format that includes a half-day technical conference and a table-top trade show, designed to deliver enhanced value and deeper engagement across the industry. This enhanced format offers targeted programming for executives, sales and business development leaders, regulatory, scientific, and R&D professionals.
In recent years, Canadian companies have navigated rising regulatory complexity, unprecedented trade tensions, and sustained global economic uncertainty. Yet the landscape is still rapidly shifting, and in response, Canada is charting a forward-looking course, driven by strategic investments in infrastructure, productivity and competitiveness, defence and security, and housing. These commitments are poised to energize the many sectors powered by the CASE industry, unlocking growth and supporting the country’s broader economic transformation.
Join CCA this May for a conference designed to help industry leaders shape what’s next. Gain timely insight into emerging opportunities, engage in meaningful dialogue with peers and industry leaders, and leave better equipped with the knowledge and connections needed to succeed in an evolving marketplace. This is where the industry comes together to navigate complexity, seize opportunity, and help define the future of coatings in Canada.
Technical Excellence Delivered
Thank you to our platinum sponsors!
Thank you to our silver sponsors!
Conference at a Glance
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Registration desk open 12:00pm - 5:00pm
- Location: Foyer of Windsor Boardroom.
Board of Directors Meeting - 1:00pm - 5:00pm
- Location: Park Lane Boardroom.
- For Board members and staff only
Technical Conference Plenary Sessions - 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Windsor Boardroom.
Runs concurrently with the Board meeting, open to all registered attendees
- Keynote: Scientific Balance: Exploring the synergy between fundamental chemistry and empirical knowledge in paint and coatings formulations – Sam Morrell, Founder SamMorell.com - 1:00pm - 2:00pm
- Enhancing coating formulation development through Design of Experiments – Stéphanie Vanslambrouck, Ph.D., Technical Director, EMCO-Inortech - 2:00pm - 2:45pm
- Coffee Break - 2:45pm - 3:15pm
- Terpene‑Derived Latexes for Sustainable Wood Coatings – Véronique Landry, Professor and Director of the Research Centre on Renewable Materials, University of Laval – 3:15pm - 4:00pm
- Government Perspectives: Initiatives, Insights, and Next Steps for the Coatings Industry – Greg Carreau, Director General, Safe Environments Directorate, Health Canada - 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Welcome Reception - 7:00pm - 10:00pm
- Location: Knightsbridge Room
- Open to all registered attendees
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Registration desk open 8:00am - 10:00am
- Location: Foyer of Crystal Boardroom.
Plenary Sessions - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Open to all registered attendees
Table-Top Trade Show - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Exhibitors’ displays will be on view throughout the day, offering maximum visibility to members, non-members, and speakers. Attendees are encouraged to visit during networking breaks and lunch.
- Chair Update, Darrin Noble, President & COO, Cloverdale - 9:00am - 9:15am
- President & CEO Update, Dave Carey, Canadian Coatings Association – 9:15am - 9:45am
- Political Panel: Navigating Government Signals: What’s Next for Coatings in Canada - 9:45am - 10:30am
- Panelists: Rick Roth, Managing Director, Public Affairs Advisors and Christopher Mourtos, Senior Consultant, ONpoint Strategy Group
- Moderator: Dave Carey, President & CEO, Canadian Coatings Association
- Trade Show Coffee Break - 10:30am - 11:15am
- Coating the Future and Navigating Change - Market Dynamics Influencing Growth Strategies for the Canadian and American Coatings Industry - 11:15am - 12:15pm
- Dan Murad, CEO, ChemQuest
- Political Greetings from Kristyn Wong-Tam, Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto Centre, Shadow Attorney General - 12:15pm - 12:30pm
- Lunch and Trade Show - 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Annual General Meeting - 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Open to all registered attendees. Only Members may vote.
- Fireside Chat: EPR 2.0 – 25 Years Later – 2:00pm - 2:45pm
- André Buisson, President & CEO, Société Laurentide Inc. and Brian Bastien, President & CEO, Product Care Recycling
- Trade Show Coffee Break – 2:45pm - 3:30pm
- On the Ground Insights: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Canada’s Painting Contractors – 3:30pm - 4:15pm
- Fiorenzo DiBiase, President of Destra Painting & Coatings and President of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Painting Contractors Association (OPCA)
- Fireside Chat: Canada – U.S. Industry Leadership in an Era of Uncertainty - 4:15pm - 5:00pm
- Mike Johnson, IOM, President & CEO, American Coatings Association and Dave Carey, President & CEO, Canadian Coatings Association
Chair Awards Gala Reception - 6:30pm - 7:30pm
- Location: Lobby Lounge.
Chair Awards Gala Dinner - 7:30pm - 11:00pm
- Location: Sovereign Ballroom.
- Open to all registered attendees; an elegant evening celebrating our industry’s leaders
Member Rate
$ 1,250
Individual Member Registration includes access to all programming, events, and receptions except the Board of Directors Meeting.
Member-Only Group Rate
$ 1,000
CCA is pleased to offer Group Rates to member organizations that would like to secure registration for 4 or more individuals from the same company. Reservations can be made by contacting CCA directly.
Non-Member Rate
$ 1,650
Individual Non-Member Registration includes access to all programming, events, and receptions except the Board of Directors Meeting.
Elevate Your Brand: Sponsor the Canadian Coatings Conference
The Canadian Coatings Conference is the CASE industry’s trusted source for leading technical, regulatory, and economic insight. Sponsoring the Conference aligns your brand with the Canadian Coatings Association’s mission to advance fair, science-based regulatory development that supports industry growth while balancing environmental and economic considerations.
New Exclusive Trade Show Opportunities
CCA is elevating this year’s 1.5-day conference experience with a limited-availability trade show option designed to help you turn attendance into measurable value. With more than 100 leaders from across the coatings ecosystem—C-suite, regulatory, R&D, marketing, and sales—this is a prime opportunity to put your organization directly in front of the decision-makers shaping the industry.
Venue & Accomodation
The iconic OMNI King Edward Hotel, offering a premier setting just steps from Union Station, with direct UP Express rail service to and from Pearson International Airport. Book early to secure the group rate — Deluxe Rooms: $389 + tax per night
Registration Now Open
Join CCA this May for a conference designed to help industry leaders shape what’s next. Gain timely insight into emerging opportunities, engage in meaningful dialogue with industry leaders, and leave better equipped to navigate complexity, seize opportunity, and help define the future of coatings in Canada.