June 16, 2025 — Washington, DC — Nearly 2,000 surface finishing professionals gathered in Rosemont, Illinois this month for SUR/FIN 2025, the industry’s premier event for advancing technologies, best practices, and business connections. The three-day conference and exhibition, held June 3-5, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, once again showcased the strength, creativity, and momentum of the global surface finishing community.
The event featured 175+ exhibitors, 60+ technical sessions, and numerous networking opportunities — providing a platform for professionals across the supply chain to share expertise, explore new solutions, and drive future innovations.
“SUR/FIN 2025 was a powerful reminder of what happens when our industry comes together with purpose,” said Craig Addington, Executive Director of NASF. “This year’s program reflected both the depth of technical excellence and the collaborative spirit that continues to move surface finishing forward.”
Key highlights from SUR/FIN 2025 included:
- A sold-out Exhibit Hall featuring cutting-edge equipment, chemistries and services from leading suppliers and innovators.
- A robust technical program with over 60 sessions covering regulatory updates, sustainability, advanced materials, process improvements and emerging technologies.
- Thought-provoking keynote presentations and plenary lectures from industry leaders.
- Interactive sessions, including Innovation Labs, Boot Camps, and the NASF Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony.
- Dedicated networking events, including Industry Night hosted by the Chicago Midwest Chapter of NASF, Women’s Reception and chapter and committee meetings, fostering connections across the industry.
Held on the main stage on the final day of SUR/FIN, our Awards Ceremony recognized individuals whose leadership, innovation and service are helping to shape the future of surface finishing. Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients:
Award of Merit, recognizing exceptional service to the industry:
- Ambrose Schaffer, MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions
- Adam Blakeley, MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions
- Larry Ryan
- Huw Williams, SERFILCO
- Michael Feldstein, Surface Technology Inc
August P. Munning Award, honoring outstanding supplier contributions:
- William Nebiolo, REM Surface Engineering
Scientific Achievement Award, for excellence in scientific innovation
- Robert Zobbi
Attendees, as well as those who did not make it to SUR/FIN this year, can revisit highlights and share the energy of the event through NASF’s online channels:
- View photos from SUR/FIN 2025 on Facebook.
- Watch interviews and exhibit hall walkthroughs on YouTube.
- Follow play-by-play posts and recaps on LinkedIn.
Looking ahead, NASF invites the industry to continue the conversation and collaboration through its year-round programs, events and advocacy efforts — and encourages members and partners to save the date for its upcoming events:
- 2025 Washington Forum, September 16-17, Washington DC
- 2026 Leadership Conference, March 1-4, the Atlantis, Bahamas
- SUR/FIN 2026, June 2-4, Rosemont, Illinois
For media inquiries, please contact:
Adam Robertson
NASF Marketing Director