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.

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.

Upcoming Events

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
Webinar: Building an AI Intelligence Layer for R&D 

Webinar: Building an AI Intelligence Laye…

02/19/2026
12 pm – 1 pm
Innovation, Artificial Intellegence
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

Latest Resources

rtm-journal-cover

2026 R&D Trends Forecast

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
R & D, Trends, Survey
From Ambition to Action: Why We Need New Toolkits to Operationalize Sustainability

From Ambition to Action: Why We Need New …

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Science, Enhance Sustainability
Robotics, Art, and the 100,000-Year Data Gap

Robotics, Art, and the 100,000-Year Data Gap

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Science, Artificial Intellegence
The Innovation Transition Roadmap: A Practical Tool for Navigating the Exploration–Exploitation Divide

The Innovation Transition Roadmap: A Prac…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Innovation, Roadmapping
How PPG Enables Sustainability-Driven Innovation Through Corporate Entrepreneurship

How PPG Enables Sustainability-Driven Inn…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Enhance Sustainability
A Framework to Map Corporate Intellectual Property Capabilities in Large Tech Organizations: Lessons from Airbus

A Framework to Map Corporate Intellectual…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
IP Management

The Latest RTM

rtm-journal-cover

2026 R&D Trends Forecast

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
R & D, Trends, Survey
From Ambition to Action: Why We Need New Toolkits to Operationalize Sustainability

From Ambition to Action: Why We Need New …

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Science, Enhance Sustainability
Robotics, Art, and the 100,000-Year Data Gap

Robotics, Art, and the 100,000-Year Data Gap

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Science, Artificial Intellegence
The Innovation Transition Roadmap: A Practical Tool for Navigating the Exploration–Exploitation Divide

The Innovation Transition Roadmap: A Prac…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Innovation, Roadmapping
How PPG Enables Sustainability-Driven Innovation Through Corporate Entrepreneurship

How PPG Enables Sustainability-Driven Inn…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Enhance Sustainability
A Framework to Map Corporate Intellectual Property Capabilities in Large Tech Organizations: Lessons from Airbus

A Framework to Map Corporate Intellectual…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
IP Management
Plants’ New Frontier as Molecular Farming Biofactories

Plants’ New Frontier as Molecular Farming…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Enhance Sustainability
How Astronomy Targets More Than Stars

How Astronomy Targets More Than Stars

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Science
Military or Civilian? Europe’s Pivot on the ‘Dual-Use Dilemma’

Military or Civilian? Europe’s Pivot on t…

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Managing Emerging Technologies
The Mutable Moment

The Mutable Moment

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Business Model Innovation
Playing the ACES—Smart Bet or Risky Hand?

Playing the ACES—Smart Bet or Risky Hand?

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Transformation, Managing Emerging Technologies
Nancy Easterbrook: Corporate Intrapreneur

Nancy Easterbrook: Corporate Intrapreneur

01/20/2026
RTM Publication
Innovation

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