Innovators Summit 2026

Join us in Charlotte for the Innovators Summit, where innovators and experts will come together to focus on building the capabilities and strategies that drive IMPACT. If you’re looking to explore the drivers of innovation growth and uncover practical ways to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape, this event is designed for you. Across three days, you’ll dive into the trends, tools, and conversations shaping the future of innovation while connecting with peers who are facing the same challenges and opportunities. You’ll leave with fresh perspectives and actionable ideas you can bring back to your organization.

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We are the Innovation Research Interchange

A unique and dynamic collaborative atmosphere.

Our network of cross-industry leaders is as diverse as the value we create across all fields of industry. We advance the field of innovation management by generating contemporary practices that accelerate value creation. The IRI is a division of the National Association of Manufacturers.

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Upcoming Events

Open Innovation Roundtable

Open Innovation Roundtable

01/21/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
02/18/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
03/18/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
Leading Innovation Organizations, Open Innovation and Contests
Sustainability Monthly Roundtable

Sustainability Monthly Roundtable

01/23/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
02/27/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
03/27/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
Sustainability and ESG, Leading Innovation Organizations
Innovating Value Monthly Roundtable

Innovating Value Monthly Roundtable

02/11/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
03/12/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
Strategic Planning, Breakthrough Innovation, Continuous Improvement, Disruptive Innovation, Innovation Metrics, Portfolio Management
IRI Workshop: Mastering Open Innovation Strategies

IRI Workshop: Mastering Open Innovation S…

02/24/2026
11 am – 3 pm
Innovation, Open Innovation and Contests
Webinar: Building AI-Driven Products: A strategic & practical blueprint for Innovation Leaders 

Webinar: Building AI-Driven Products: A s…

02/26/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
Innovation, Artificial Intellegence
IRI Workshop: Innovation in Action: Accelerating Innovation Through Early-Stage Experimentation

IRI Workshop: Innovation in Action: Accel…

03/17/2026
12 pm – 1:15 pm
Innovation, Conducting Business Experiments
Webinar: AI at the Frontier of Scientific Innovation: From Algorithms in Nature to Digitizing Smell

Webinar: AI at the Frontier of Scientific…

03/26/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
Artificial Intellegence, Enhance Sustainability
leaping to the next step

Shaping Innovation Leaders 2026

06/15/2026
at 11 am
06/19/2026
at 3 pm
Organizational Vision, Culture, Talent Management, Organization and Future of Work
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Latest Resources

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Innovating Through University Partnership…

01/15/2026
Audio Presentation/Podcast
Innovation, Alliances and Collaborations
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Top 5 Digital & AI Trends That Shaped 2025

12/11/2025
Infographic
Trends, Digitalization, Artificial Intellegence
blue globe of data

Top 5 Sustainability Trends That Shaped 2025

12/11/2025
Infographic
Trends, Enhance Sustainability
blue globe of data

Top 5 Innovating Value Trends That Shaped…

12/11/2025
Infographic
Trends, Breakthrough Innovation
person talking into a mic at a computer

Bend the Flow: Innovation and Circular Su…

12/11/2025
Audio Presentation/Podcast
Innovation, R&D, Building resilient supply chains
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Innovating The Future 2025 Sessions

12/04/2025
Presentation
Innovation, Enhance Sustainability, Customer Insight, Organization and Future of Work
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The Latest RTM

Foresight That Shifts Thinking

Foresight That Shifts Thinking

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Organization and Future of Work
Future Making: Foresighting, Imagining, and Crafting Desirable Futures

Future Making: Foresighting, Imagining, a…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Organization and Future of Work
Organizing for Foresight Capability in Visionary Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Organizing for Foresight Capability in Vi…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Organizational Vision
Envisioning the Future Using Generative AI—Implications for Corporate Foresight Practices

Envisioning the Future Using Generative A…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Organizational Vision, Artificial Intellegence
Designing Organizations as Service Ecosystems Using Speculative Service Design

Designing Organizations as Service Ecosys…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Organizational Vision
Designing Desirable Futures Through Speculative Artifacts—Lessons from Two Global Design Studios

Designing Desirable Futures Through Specu…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Organization and Future of Work
Collaborative Scenario Experimentation for Strategy Formulation to Shape Desirable Futures

Collaborative Scenario Experimentation fo…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Organization and Future of Work
From Silicon to Synapse: Neuromorphic Computing for Brain-Like Intelligence

From Silicon to Synapse: Neuromorphic Com…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Artificial Intellegence
Direct Air Capture: The Lazy Way to Net-Zero?

Direct Air Capture: The Lazy Way to Net-Z…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Enhance Sustainability
The United States Faces an Assault on Science

The United States Faces an Assault on Sci…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Science, Enhance Sustainability
Mining Heat: Enhanced Geothermal Offers Endless Energy

Mining Heat: Enhanced Geothermal Offers E…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Science, Enhance Sustainability
Luca Mascaro: Innovation at the Intersection of People, Culture, and Technology

Luca Mascaro: Innovation at the Intersect…

10/29/2025
RTM Publication
Managing Emerging Technologies, Culture
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Recent Discussions

Community Forum – How are you using AI authoring tools?

Community Forum – How are you using AI au…

11/21/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Artificial Intellegence
Community Forum – How do you do your LCAs? 

Community Forum – How do you do your LCAs? 

10/10/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Enhance Sustainability
Community Forum – What is your process for acquiring new raw materials for R&D? 

Community Forum – What is your process fo…

08/22/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
R&D, Process Mapping and Design, Process Improvement
Community Forum – How are you currently using AI?

Community Forum – How are you currently u…

08/15/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Digital Innovation, Digitalization, Managing Emerging Technologies
Community Forum – How are you upskilling and planning for future digital skill needs? 

Community Forum – How are you upskilling …

07/18/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Digital Innovation, Digitalization, Managing Emerging Technologies
Community Forum – What librarian tool do you use for R&D knowledge?

Community Forum – What librarian tool do …

06/20/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
R&D, Tools and Techniques
Community Forum – How do you onboard and enable/accelerate productivity of Experienced New Hires?

Community Forum – How do you onboard and …

06/13/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Talent Management
Community Forum – How do you align supply chain planning with real-world demand?

Community Forum – How do you align supply…

06/06/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Supply chain management
Community Forum – How can we put on an effective hybrid poster session?

Community Forum – How can we put on an ef…

06/06/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Hybrid, Telework
Community Forum – How do you build and prove the value case for cost savings without compromising quality or sustainability?

Community Forum – How do you build and pr…

05/09/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Enhance Sustainability
Community Forum – Have you conducted a global talent assessment? 

Community Forum – Have you conducted a gl…

05/02/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Talent Management, Leadership Assessment
Community Forum – How do you approach licensing-in of technologies?

Community Forum – How do you approach lic…

04/25/2025
Survey (Community Forum)
Innovation, Managing Emerging Technologies
See All resources