ABMA Announces Keynote Speaker for 110th Annual Convention: Michael Feuz to Address “Prospering Through the Cycle”
The American Brush Manufacturers Association has announced Michael Feuz of ITR Economics as the keynote speaker for the 110th ABMA Annual Convention, taking place March 23–26, 2027, at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Feuz will present “Prospering Through the Cycle” on Wednesday, March 24, at 9:30 a.m. at the ABMA Educational Institute.
A Flat Macroeconomy, Uneven Markets
The session arrives at a pointed moment for brush manufacturers and suppliers. According to ITR Economics’ outlook, the US Industrial Production Index — a key barometer for the broader manufacturing economy — is expected to trend largely flat through 2027, with some individual markets contracting outright. For an industry accustomed to planning around steady growth assumptions, that shift matters. Feuz’s session will focus on helping leaders separate the macroeconomic signal from the noise: understanding which forces are driving the current phase of the business cycle, and which are specific to their own sector. That distinction becomes especially important when demand cools and margins compress at the same time, forcing firms to revisit planning assumptions built up over recent, more favorable years.
What the Session Will Cover
Attendees can expect a working session on the macroeconomic drivers shaping 2027 and beyond, with particular attention to:
- Inflation and interest rates
- Labor availability and productivity
- Consumer and business demand
- Geopolitical developments
Feuz will connect these forces to practical business decisions — cost structure, pricing strategy, workforce planning, and capital allocation — with a specific focus on a challenge many manufacturers know well: profitless prosperity, where revenue climbs but profit margins shrink underneath it.
Why It Matters for Brush Manufacturers
ITR Economics has built its reputation on helping business leaders anticipate turns in the market before they arrive, rather than react to them after the fact. For an industry where raw material costs, labor markets, and customer demand can shift quickly, that kind of forward visibility is a genuine planning advantage. Feuz’s session is designed to leave attendees with a clearer read on where the next 12 to 24 months are heading — and the confidence to make decisions accordingly.
Save the Date
The 110th ABMA Annual Convention runs March 23–26, 2027, at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Registration opens January 1, 2027. Mark your calendar — this is one session brush industry leaders won’t want to miss. For more information, visit www.abma.org/convention/.
