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Industry & Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC)

August 17-19, 2026
Oak Brook Hills Hilton

What is the IEOC?

The 2026 Industry & Economic Outlook Conference schedule is full with a lineup of industry experts, and, as always, registration is open to everyone in the fluid power supply chain — NFPA members and non-members alike.

As always, this year’s event will equip attendees with the trends and data they need to move their businesses forward with confidence as well as opportunities to connect with other attendees.

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Hotel Information

Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills (3500 Midwest Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523)

Reservation Deadline: Thursday, July 23 , 2026

NFPA has reserved a limited block of rooms at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center. The National Fluid Power Group Rate is $179 per night plus applicable taxes. This special rate will be available until the block is full or July 23, 2026 - whichever comes first. Make your reservation by clicking the button below.

Congratulations to our Suite Deal Winners: Ben Wallis & Paul Keating

Book Your Room

Conference Schedule

11:00 - 5:00PM
Willow Crest Golf Club | Oak Brook Hills Hilton Golf Course & Marquis Tent
NFPA Foundation Golf Fundraiser and Reception
Exclusive reception with light hors d'oeuvres and open bar in the Marquis Tent
7:30 - 8:45AM
The Marquis Tent
IEOC Networking Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00AM
Ballroom E-J
Conference Open – Welcome, NFPA Program Highlights
Eric Lanke, NFPA
9:00 - 10:15AM
Ballroom E-J
Expectations and Practical Strategies for Trade and Tariff Environment
 Nathaniel Bolin, K&L Gates
10:15 - 10:45AM
Ballroom Foyer
Break
10:45 - 11:45AM
Ballroom E-J
Oxford Economics Global Forecast and Outlook on Key Issues and Markets
Nico Palesch, Oxford Economics
11:45 - 1:15PM
The Marquis Tent
Networking Lunch

Enjoy a buffet lunch in the Marquis Tent, featuring high-top tables designed to encourage networking, conversation, and easy movement as attendees connect and explore exhibitor tabletops throughout the space.
1:15 - 2:00PM
DuPage Amphitheater
Breakout Session: Pricing Beyond Cost Plus - Strategies to Protect Margin and Accelerate Growth

Senthil  Gunasekaran, PhD, ActVantage

Pradip Krishnadevarajan, PhD, ActVantage 
1:15 - 2:00PM
Ballroom E-J
Breakout Session: Heavy Truck Market Forecast
Jonathan Starks, FTR Transportation Intelligence
2:00 - 2:45PM
DuPage Amphitheater
Breakout Session: Beyond Inventory Turns - Balancing Product Availability and Profitability

Senthil Gunasekaran, PhD, ActVantage

Pradip Krishnadevarajan, PhD, ActVantage 
2:00 - 2:45PM
Ballroom E-J
Breakout Session: Construction Machinery Forecast

Alastair Hayfield, Interact Analysis
2:45 - 3:30PM
Ballroom E-J
Breakout Session: Agriculture Machinery Forecast

Georg Stieler, STM Stieler
2:45 - 3:30PM
DuPage Amphitheater
Breakout Session: Applied AI - How to go beyond dashboards to decisions

Senthil Gunasekaran, PhD, ActVantage

Pradip Krishnadevarajan, PhD, ActVantage 
3:30 - 4:00PM
Ballroom Foyer
Break
4:00 - 5:00PM
 Ballroom E-J
US Forecast for Key Markets and Fluid Power
 Taylor St. Germain, ITR Economics
6:00 - 8:30PM
The Marquis Tent
Power of Association Networking Reception and Dinner
7:00 - 8:30AM
The Marquis Tent
Networking Breakfast
7:00 - 8:30AM
Ballrooms A, B, C
Council + Task Force Open Forum Breakfast Meetings

Distributor Council - Ballroom A

Supplier Council-Ballroom - C

Controls, IoT, Data Task Force Meeting - Ballroom B
8:30 - 8:45AM
Ballroom E-J
Conference Open – NFPA Foundation Report

Stephanie Scaccianoce, NFPA 
8:45 - 9:30AM

Ballroom E-J
Outlook for Major In-Plant Sectors
Scott Hazelton, S&P Global Insights  
9:30 - 10:00AM
Ballroom Foyer
Break
10:00 - 10:45AM

Ballroom E-J
OEM Perspectives on Technology Developments and Requirement

Moderator: Pete Alles, NFPA
10:45 - 11:45AM
Ballroom E-J
Geopolitics, MacroTrends and the Soft Skills Leaders Need
Sam Potolicchio
11:45AM
Adjournment
12:15PM
Departing Shuttle to iVT EXPO (Rosemont, IL)
For those of you that plan on going to IVT Expo after the conclusion of the conference, we are providing the option of taking a shuttle from our hotel to the convention center. The shuttle will be leaving the hotel at 12:15 PM.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026: 11:45AM - 1:15 PM

Tabletop Exhibition Opportunity

A buffet lunch will be held in the Marquis Tent, with high-top tables where attendees can stand while eating, encouraging them to circulate and visit the tabletops around the room.  

Tabletops include one registration to the conference.

- NFPA Member Tabletop: $2,000
- TMA Member Tabletop:  $3,000

Exhibitors should expect and plan for a display that uses a 6-foot skirted table, with space for a stand-up backdrop or pop-up displays behind it, or a pop-up display designed to stand on a 6-foot table.  Product displays should be limited to what fits on the table space. 

NFPA Foundation Golf Fundraiser

The mission of the NFPA Foundation is to increase the number of technical college and university students educated in fluid power and connect them to careers in the fluid power industry.

Thanks to the generosity and efforts of companies and individuals in the fluid power industry, the NFPA Foundation's workforce development initiatives have impacted thousands of students at all grade levels across the country through education programs, scholarships and opportunities that support educators and schools and offer NFPA members a direct connection to emerging talent and opportunities to increase your company visibility among students and faculty near them.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2026 IEOC Foundation Golf Fundraiser and to the generous companies featured here for making it such a success. Together, we raised $14,900 to support the Foundation’s fluid power workforce development programs and help prepare the next generation of industry talent. We’re grateful for your continued support!
 
golfersieoc

 

iVT EXPO 2026

Now in its third year, NFPA’s Advanced Hydraulics Conference returns to iVT EXPO USA, taking place August 19–20, 2026, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Held alongside iVT EXPO, a premier event for the off-highway vehicle design and engineering community, the conference will spotlight the latest technologies and innovations in hydraulics, components, and system integration. Last year, more than 45 NFPA members exhibited at this show.

iVT EXPO takes place during the same week as NFPA’s Industry and Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC). A shuttle will be available to transport members to the show for a small fee, available as an add-on during registration.

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