Flooring Sustainability Summit: The year’s summit expands its reach with greater A&D engagement – July 2026

By Kemp Harr

When the Flooring Sustainability Summit returns to Washington, D.C. on July 15 and 16, attendees can expect more than discussions about environmental stewardship and product transparency. Organizers say the third annual event reflects the growing integration of sustainability into the design and specification process, while offering participants valuable opportunities for professional development.

According to Bill Griese, vice president of sustainability for the Tile Council of North America and one of the event’s organizers, this year’s summit will build on the momentum of the first two years with a stronger focus on the architecture and design (A&D) community.

“The level of A&D engagement is one of the things I’m most excited about this year,” he says. “We’re seeing growing interest from the design community, who are looking for practical information and meaningful dialogue around sustainability issues that affect the built environment.”

That emphasis is reflected throughout the program, which brings together flooring manufacturers, designers, sustainability professionals and industry stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of flooring.

Another highlight will be a special reception hosted at the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) newly renovated Washington headquarters. In addition to providing attendees with an opportunity to connect with design professionals, the venue will host the summit’s annual awards presentation.

“The AIA reception is a unique opportunity for attendees to engage directly with members of the design community in an environment that showcases innovation and leadership,” Griese says.

The summit’s keynote program will feature George Bandy, chief sustainability officer at Andersen Corporation and former sustainability leader at Amazon, Mohawk and Interface, along with closing keynote speaker Cheryl Durst, executive vice president and CEO of the International Interior Design Association. During the AIA reception, attendees will also hear remarks from Stephen Ayers, interim CEO of the Green Building Initiative and former Architect of the Capitol.

Programming will include industry briefings from organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ASTM International, USGBC, the Green Building Initiative and ASID, as well as panel discussions focused on material health transparency, circularity, specification tools and supply chain alignment. Organizers also note an increased emphasis on green building technology and software, reflecting the growing role of digital tools in sustainability reporting and product specification.

Education also takes center stage this year. For the first time, all keynote presentations and panel discussions have been structured to provide continuing education credits for attendees. The expanded accreditation opportunities are expected to attract a broader audience of architects, designers and industry professionals seeking both knowledge and professional development.

The value extends beyond earning credits. Sessions will address some of the most pressing topics facing the flooring industry, including transparency, embodied carbon, circularity, material health and the evolving role of sustainability in product specification.

Now in its third year, the summit, which attracted 250 attendees last year, continues to establish itself as a forum where manufacturers, designers and sustainability leaders can share ideas, challenge assumptions and explore practical solutions.