Bradley Beach, NJ, Release: For Immediate Release.
The Cookware & Bakeware Alliance (CBA) today announced a significantly expanded speaker roster for its 104th Annual Spring Meeting, a two-day virtual event taking place May 12–13, 2026.
Four organizations: Circana, Close The Loop, AHAM (Association of Household Appliance Manufacturers), and ChatFeatured, have been confirmed as additional featured presenters, strengthening what was already a broad and timely program under this year’s theme: “Uniting the Industry.” The expanded agenda maintains the original daily schedule of 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with no change to ticket pricing.
“We reached out to four organizations, and all four said yes,” said Fran Attilio, Managing Director of the CBA. “This is the kind of collaboration that makes the CBA special, and it means our members and guests will have access to an even more relevant, forward-looking program without paying a dollar more or sitting an hour longer.”
New Featured Presentations
Joe Derochowski, Circana: “Turning Up the Heat: How the Cookware & Bakeware Market Can Take Action in Today’s Market to Maximize Opportunities” — A data-driven examination of market dynamics and actionable growth strategies for the cookware and bakeware sector.
Lynette Burk, Close The Loop: “Circular By Design: How Close The Loop Keeps Materials in Motion” — An exploration of real-world circularity, sustainable materials management, and what recycling innovation means for consumer products brands.
Kelli Mariotti, AHAM: “Industry Update from the Appliances Industry” — A cross-category perspective from the Association of Household Appliance Manufacturers, a topic members have repeatedly requested through CBA surveys.
Doug Murless, ChatFeatured: “Your Next Big Opportunity: AI Answer Engine Optimization—Does AI Recommend Your Brand?” — A practical session on how brands can show up and win in AI-powered discovery, from search engines to conversational AI platforms.
Full Two-Day Agenda at a Glance
May 12th
- How the US and EU Legislation Activity Differs and EU Movement on PFAS Legislation, Presented by Tobias Gerfin, FEC
- Circular By Design: How Close The Loop Keeps Materials in Motion, Presented by Lynette Burk, Close The Loop
- Industry Insights: Where We Are and Where We Are Going, Presented by Mike Otterman, CBA President
- CBA Headquarters Report & Committee In Action Updates: Together, We’re Shaping a Stronger, Safer Future for Our Industry.
- Turning Up the Heat: How the Cookware & Bakeware Market Can Take Action in Today’s Market to Maximize Opportunities, Presented by Joe Derochowski, Circana
May 13th
- IHA: State of the Industry Report, Presented by Peter Giannetti, IHA/HomePage News
- Legislation Update: Beyond Food Contact Surfaces – A Complete Update on Legislation Impacting Consumer Products (with an introduction from the CSA on US legislation activity), Presented by Steve Burns, CSA & Tom Lee, Latham & Watkins
- Industry Update from the Appliances Industry, Presented by Kelly Mariotti, AHAM
- Your Next Big Opportunity: AI Answer Engine Optimization Does AI Recommend Your Brand?, Presented by Doug Murless, ChatFeatured
The meeting starts at 11:00 AM Eastern, and wraps up at 4:00 PM, Eastern Time, each day.
Registration Details
Registration for the 2026 Spring Meeting is open now, with the deadline extended to May 6, 2026. Single-attendee tickets are $150; team tickets covering up to 10 attendees are available for $250. Non-members may register for $400, and any non-member who applies for CBA membership by May 18, 2026 will have the ticket cost credited toward first-year dues!
Registration and full event details are available at https://cookwareandbakeware.org/spring-meeting.
About The Cookware & Bakeware Alliance (CBA)
The Cookware and Bakeware Alliance is a vital housewares trade association, delivering critical industry resources as a voice of authority and influence uniting the industry by setting engineering standards for product and consumer safety.
The CBA is recognized as a leader in developing and communicating product safety standards and innovative solutions for the cooking and baking industry. For more information about the Alliance, its upcoming events, and how to become a member, visit https://cookwareandbakeware.org/.