Special Events

All special events are to be held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

All week
The Art of Tribology
STLE is showcasing a photo/imaging contest at the STLE Annual Meeting, which highlights the unexpected beauty within the field of lubrication, friction, and wear, celebrating the artistic side of scientific discovery. We invite everyone to submit their most captivating tribology-related images for display at the conference. Click here to submit your image. The deadline is April 1. The winning image will be featured in TLT.

All week
FVA Sessions
The Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik e.V. (FVA) is Germany’s premier collaborative research association focused on drivetrain engineering. Founded in 1967, the FVA unites over 200 industrial companies and around 100 research institutions to drive innovation across the entire value chain of mechanical power transmission. FVA’s network enables member-driven, pre-competitive research, covering a wide spectrum of topics including gear technology, bearings, tribology, lubricants, electric drive systems, and digitalization. By orchestrating interdisciplinary projects and facilitating the exchange of knowledge between industry and academia, FVA delivers practical solutions, establishes standards, and accelerates the adoption of advanced technologies. Its unique model ensures research outcomes are directly applicable to industry challenges, supporting the competitiveness and sustainability of its members in a rapidly evolving global market. Highlighted presentations from FVA collaborations will be featured at the STLE Annual Meeting, showcasing cutting-edge research and fostering international exchange. These sessions offer valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration between German and American experts in tribology and lubrication engineering.

Monday, May 18, 2026
Opening General Session - Keynote Address: 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Hear a captivating keynote presentation by TotalEnergies Marketing USA, Inc. titled Marine Engine Lubrication with Alternative Fuels. Check back for more details.

Monday, May 18, 2026
Networking Reception: 5:30-7 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall
The annual meeting’s central networking event, held in the Exhibit Hall, is a way for you to reconnect with old friends while making new ones. Since people come to STLE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition from around the world, this truly is an international event. Relax, socialize, and add to your list of professional contacts through this outstanding networking event.

Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Exhibitor Appreciation Hours: 3-4 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall
Refreshments will be served in the trade show. Technical sessions, education courses, Commercial Marketing Forum presentations, and all other annual meeting activities will cease at this time. Come support the meeting’s exhibitors – and find solutions to your most pressing technical issues.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Tribology Data Hub - Designing the Next Steps
The town hall style session will present the key outcomes from the monthly meetings of the Tribology Data Hub volunteers, along with the newly assembled position paper. Participants will be invited to help shape the community’s vision for developing commonly accepted data practices and will have space to ask questions or contribute their own perspectives. The discussion will then transition into grouping shared concerns and working through them systematically to outline potential objectives, deliverables, and milestones for the coming year.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Discussion Roundtables - An Ideation Event: 5:15 - 6 p.m.
This scientific brainstorming and networking event, open to all attendees, seeks to foster open discussions among experts from diverse disciplines on a range of topics of interest. The event’s format facilitates a creative atmosphere for complex tribology and lubrication topics, enabling participants to generate technical impulses through brainstorming. The proposed topics are aligned with current interests, and each table will be hosted by industry experts who will guide the interactive discussion. One of the event’s unique features is the opportunity for participants to share their experiences, creating a platform for connection and learning.

Tuesday, May 19, and Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Yoga & Pilates Wellness Sessions: 6 - 7 a.m.
Tribology, the science of movement, and wellness share a common goal: enhancing performance. Like lubrication reduces friction, yoga and pilates improve mobility, balance, and strength, creating smoother motion in both machines and bodies. This wellness event is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and contribute to the STLE NextGen Fund.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
OEM Panel Discussion 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.
In this open Q&A session, OEM panelists share the lubrication hurdles they face in design and operations. Audience participation is encouraged-come ready with your questions about performance, sustainability and innovation in OEM Lubrication.