2026 ABMA Convention: Building Competitive Strength Through Strategic Connection
The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) will convene its 109th Annual Convention March 24-27, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. For U.S. citizens, no passport is required, but the perspective shift may feel international.
Set against Caribbean waters and just 30 minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the 2026 convention combines three full days of meetings, education, Face-to-Face supplier sessions and structured networking, all designed to help manufacturers and suppliers sharpen strategy and deepen relationships at a pivotal time for the industry.
Navigating Trade, Costs and Competitive Reality
Heading into the 2026 event, ABMA President R.J. Lindstrom says the most pressing issue facing brush manufacturers is clear. “The ever-changing international trade situation is affecting every manufacturer in one way or another,” he says. “Tariffs have raised input costs for many U.S. manufacturers, squeezing margins and forcing price increases or supply chain shifts. At the same time, they’ve provided some protection for domestic producers in targeted industries, encouraging limited reshoring and investment — but with uneven benefits across different brush manufacturers.”
In short, volatility remains a defining characteristic of the current environment. That uncertainty, from raw material sourcing to pricing strategy, is precisely why ABMA is placing renewed emphasis on education, collaboration and relationship-building in 2026.
“Building relationships has always been one of the main benefits of ABMA membership,” Lindstrom says. “Those relationships allow our members to collaborate within our industry to remain strong competitors.”
The convention format, he adds, strengthens the industry long-term by strengthening its members first. In a global economy where supply chains and customers stretch across borders, durable peer relationships often become strategic assets.
Education That Goes Beyond Inspiration
Looking at the schedule for the event, Tuesday’s program includes two focused educational workshops: Using Intellectual Property to Your Advantage and Succession Planning. According to ABMA Executive Director Donna Frendt, these topics were chosen to address key needs for members. “Intellectual property and succession planning equip brush manufacturers and suppliers with critical strategies to protect innovations, safeguard assets and ensure smooth leadership transitions in an increasingly competitive and evolving market,” she says.
As consolidation, generational transition and private equity interest continue to reshape segments of the manufacturing landscape, these sessions aim to address both defensive and forward-looking strategies.
Face 2 Face: Four Plus Hours of Maximum Impact
Few elements of the ABMA Convention deliver as much direct commercial value as the structured Face 2 Face supplier meetings to be held 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.
Suppliers remain stationed at assigned tables while manufacturers rotate in 15-minute intervals according to pre-scheduled agendas. The format is designed for focused, high-level discussions instead of the standard tradeshow browsing approach. “Committee meetings and Face-to-Face Meetings continue to deliver exceptional value,” Frendt notes. “They foster direct collaboration, tackle key industry challenges and often generate tangible business opportunities that lead to significant sales and long-term relationships.”
Meeting requests opened in mid-February. While scheduling cannot accommodate every pairing, the structured model maximizes efficiency and ensures meaningful engagement in a condensed timeframe.
First-Time Attendees: What to Expect
For those attending their first ABMA Convention, Frendt offers straightforward advice: “Dive in with enthusiasm. The 2026 ABMA Convention offers an unparalleled welcoming environment with endless networking possibilities and lifelong industry connections that can transform your business and career from day one.”
Veteran attendees frequently echo the same message: preparation multiplies value. Come with a list of strategic questions. Review supplier relationships in advance. Schedule meetings early. Complete the pre-event education materials.
A Strategic Reset
At a time when trade policy, input costs, workforce pressures and global competition continue to reshape the manufacturing environment, the 109th Annual Convention stands out as more than a date on the calendar. It serves as a structured pause — a moment for brush manufacturers and suppliers to step back from daily operational demands and evaluate where their businesses stand and where they need to go next.
The program in Puerto Rico is designed to help leaders sharpen strategic clarity, strengthen organizational culture and leadership alignment, safeguard intellectual property and ensure thoughtful succession planning. Just as importantly, it creates space to build and reinforce high-value partnerships that support long-term competitiveness. In a global marketplace where relationships often determine resilience, those connections matter.
In Lindstrom’s view, the long-term health of the brush industry is inseparable from the strength of its individual companies. “The strength of our industry is directly tied to the strength of our members,” he says. “The ABMA Convention plays a critical role in building that foundation.”
For four days in Puerto Rico, the emphasis will be on clarity, competitiveness and connection, positioning the industry not merely to adapt to change, but to lead through it with confidence.
Resort and Destination Guide
When the ABMA gathers for its 109th Annual Convention, attendees won’t just be checking into a conference venue; they’ll be stepping into one of the Caribbean’s most distinctive coastal environments. Located along Coco Beach in Rio Grande, the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico blends full-scale meeting infrastructure with open-air island surroundings, offering a setting that supports both structured business sessions and informal networking.
Set on 27 oceanfront acres, the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve is designed with expansive outdoor corridors, tropical landscaping and multiple indoor meeting spaces. For convention attendees, this translates into easy transitions between formal programming and relaxed conversation. Key features include:
- Direct beachfront access along Coco Beach
- Lagoon-style pools and ocean views
- Multiple on-site dining options
- Spa and wellness facilities
- Proximity to championship golf
The Grand Reserve Golf Club will serve as the site of the ABMA Golf Scramble. The Club is host of the PGA TOUR’s Puerto Rico Open and the golf course’s coastal layout and mountain backdrops provide a distinctly Caribbean atmosphere for business networking on the fairways.
Rio Grande: Gateway to El Yunque
Rio Grande sits on Puerto Rico’s northeast coast, approximately 30 minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). The area is best known as the gateway to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. For ABMA attendees, this proximity offers optional experiences ranging from guided rainforest hikes and waterfalls to ATV excursions and horseback rides through the foothills. Even for those not participating in organized tours, the surrounding landscape provides a reminder that Puerto Rico’s natural terrain is as dynamic as its business climate.
Hotel Information
Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve
200 Coco Beach Blvd., Highway 955-I
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 00745
+1 787-657-1234
Travel Essentials
Airport: U.S. citizens do not need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico. The primary airport, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), offers direct flights from major U.S. hubs including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Ground transportation options include taxis, ride-share services and rental cars.
Climate: March temperatures in Rio Grande typically range from the mid-80s°F during the day to the low- to mid-70s°F in the evening. Convention functions will be held both indoors and outdoors, so light, breathable attire with optional layering is recommended.
Dress Code
Daytime: Business casual / resort casual
Evening: Nice informal or business casual
Closing Dinner: Caribbean / Pirate theme encouraged
For more information about the 2026 ABMA Convention, visit www.abma.org/convention.
