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 project 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. Check back for requirements submission information.

Monday, May 18, 2026
Opening General Session - Keynote Address
Hear a captivating keynote presentation. 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.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
STLE NextGen Fun Run/Walk
Come join us for the STLE NextGen Fun Run/Walk and make a difference while getting some exercise! This run/walk is a great way to connect with fellow attendees and help raise money for the STLE NextGen Fund. The entry fee is $50, and participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Enjoy some fun while helping to support the next generation of tribologists and lubrication engineers. Check back for registration information.

Discussion Roundtables - An Ideation Event
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.