NWRA's inaugural Waste Leadership Summit planned for 2026

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) is collaborating with Informa on the inaugural Waste Leadership Summit, from June 8 to 10, 2026, at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. This new event will bring together industry decision-makers in a collegial setting to address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the waste and recycling sector.

​The Waste Leadership Summit

As a complement to WasteExpo's expansive product showcase and the Global Waste Management Symposium's technical focus, the Waste Leadership Summit will provide an opportunity for senior leaders to share perspectives, hear from policymakers, and engage with peers on key industry issues. The summit will feature opportunities for face-to-face meetings between buyers and sellers, product discovery and innovation, relevant educational sessions, and plenty of networking.

The program will highlight leadership strategies, regulatory developments, workforce challenges, and innovations such as the electrification of fleets and the use of AI tools. In addition, attendees will participate in hallmark industry events, including the Waste360/Stifel Investor Summit, the NWRA Awards Gala, and the EREF Charitable Auction.

The Waste Leadership Summit is designed for executives from waste and recycling companies, municipal authorities, private sector leaders, and investors seeking insight into the future direction of the industry.

"The waste and recycling market is facing numerous challenges across local, state, and federal jurisdictions," said Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of the National Waste & Recycling Association. "The Waste Leadership Summit is the ideal forum to gain insight on the state of our industry, honor the best our industry has to offer, and coalesce our voice to help ensure regulation and policy initiatives are practical and economically viable."

"The Waste Leadership Summit fills a critical gap in our industry's event landscape," said Rita Ugianskis, vice president, Waste Group at Informa. "We've created an intimate, high-caliber networking experience tailored for the decision-makers shaping the future of waste and recycling."