FREE Passes for Exhibition: Register Now for the Reuters Events: Downstream USA 2025 – June 25-26, 2025 – Houston, TX

The Leading Experience for the Downstream Community: Insights, Collaboration & Solutions

Connect. Solve. Optimize. Downstream USA 2025
North America’s #1 Downstream Exhibition (and Conference)

Downstream USA 2025 is more than just an exhibition; it’s a dynamic event experience designed to address the downstream industry’s most pressing challenges. As the industry faces pressure to do more with less, this event connects peers, fosters knowledge exchange, and showcases solutions from 180+ top-tier exhibitors. Discover cutting-edge technologies, innovative strategies, and practical solutions to navigate tightening budgets, talent shortages, market uncertainty, and the growing demand for plant productivity, all under one roof.

Now in its 13th year, Downstream USA 2025 returns to Houston on June 25-26, welcoming over 3,000 petrochemical, chemical, and EPC professionals for two impactful days of insight, innovation, and industry-shaping connections.

What You’ll Gain:

• Access to 180+ top-tier exhibitors
• 16 hours of expert-led networking
• Actionable strategies to boost performance
• Critical insights into shifting market dynamics
• Practical solutions to today’s toughest downstream challenges

The industry is changing—fast.

Markets are shifting. New pressures are emerging. Innovation is non-negotiable.

Join us for two days of intensive learning, networking, and problem-solving. Connect with decision-makers, thought leaders, and industry pioneers to gain insights and build connections that foster measurable impact, sustainable growth, and a legacy of operational excellence for the downstream sector.

Reliability & Maintenance
Day 1 – June 25

09:40 – 10:00 | Keynote Presentation (All Access): Save on Energy and Increase Equipment Efficiency

• Discover practical strategies to reduce energy consumption across operations, lowering costs while supporting sustainability goals.
• Learn how to optimize equipment performance through data-driven maintenance and real-time efficiency monitoring.
• Explore proven technologies that extend asset life, minimize waste, and deliver measurable improvements in operational output.

Speaker: Dan Kernan, Vice President and General Manager, VIDAR

10:15 – 10:55 | Expo Tour: Reliability & Maintenance Expo Tour and VIDAR Booth Activity Spotlight

Join the Reuters Events team for a condensed, personalized tour of the leading vendors in reliability and maintenance. The tour concludes with an engaging interactive booth activity hosted by VIDAR.

Featuring: UFP Packaging, RotoFlow, Esco Products, Curtiss-Wright EST Group, Pepperl+Fuchs, Ohmstede, ARIX Technologies

11:40 – 12:20 | Keynote Panel (All Access): Operationalize Reliability Strategy for Efficient and Effective Execution

• Benchmark best-in-class processes for risk-based reliability assessments.
• Shift towards risk-based maintenance to prioritize high-impact, low-cost reliability improvements.
• Assess reliability strategy performance using AI analysis of condition monitoring data.
• Understand the growing risk associated with deferred maintenance items.

Panelists:
Bob Hooper, Senior Industry Consultant, Hexagon
Randy K. Pound, Executive Director, Tormod, Hargrove Engineers and Constructors
Moderator: Uday Turaga, Founder & CEO, ADI Analytics

13:40 – 14:00 | Keynote Presentation (All Access): Anticipate and Prepare for Equipment Failure to Minimize Unplanned Downtime

• Identify and prioritize critical equipment according to your organization’s accepted risk profile.
• Enhance outage readiness by assessing equipment condition and managing risks with preventative maintenance and spare parts strategies.

Speaker: Aaron Higginbotham, Reliability Manager, LyondellBasell

Reliability & Maintenance
Day 2 – June 26

09:00 – 09:40 | Panel (VIP Access Only): Maximize Onsite Efficiency and Safety with Connected Field Professionals

• Grasp which parts of the workforce should be connected with technology and to what degree to deliver the best kit and throughput.
• Close the distance between decision-makers and real-time operations through smart connectivity.
• Learn about the roadmap and ROI of infrastructure development for enhanced workforce connectivity.

Panelists:
Cheenu Vanchinathan, Director Refining Digital Operations, Phillips 66
David Nixon, Maintenance and Reliability Manager, LyondellBasell
Devyn Schomer, Project Manager, IT Manufacturing, CF Industries Holdings
Bob Hooper, Senior Industry Consultant, Hexagon
Moderator: Randy K. Pound, Executive Director, Tormod, Hargrove Engineers and Constructors

12:20 – 13:20 | Workshop (Apply for Access): Modernize Your Infrastructure to Support Data-Driven Reliability at Scale

Build early momentum and measurable gains in uptime, safety, and efficiency through this collaborative workshop. Avoid “pilot purgatory” and learn from real-world operator experiences focused on scalable reliability solutions.

• Avoid costly rework by designing scalable, future-proof infrastructure.
• Move beyond isolated pilots to integrated, enterprise-wide reliability strategies.
• Engage with peers and experts to uncover intelligent edge and data-driven reliability strategies tailored to your environment.

Facilitator: Matthew Nalbone, Industry Principal, Oil & Gas, World Wide Technology
Sponsored by: World Wide Technology

13:20 – 13:40 | Presentation (All Access): Case Study – Digital Transformation Journey to Optimize R&M Work Prioritization

• De-risk capital projects and turnarounds by overcoming internal and external silos.
• Optimize reliability-led turnaround scopes by improving visibility into budget limits and supplier agreements.

Speaker: Harry Mozafari, Lead Reliability Engineer, HPP Technical, SABIC

Turnarounds
Day 1 – June 25

11:30 – 11:50 | Presentation (VIP Access Only): Prepared or Vulnerable? Facing the Risk of Sudden Downtime

• Rapid recovery starts with the right strategy—and the right partners.
• When unexpected strikes occur, how can we stay ahead of unplanned downtime?
• When minutes matter, reduce your lead time to mitigate losses.

Speaker: Dan Creech, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, Enerfab
Sponsored by: Enerfab

11:50 – 12:30 | Panel (VIP Access Only): Build Quality Turnaround Scopes

• Determine if scope list items meet turnaround criteria using scope gatekeeping best practices.
• Reach effective compromises with operations and reliability teams on scope list items.
• Balance license-to-operate and reliability priorities in your turnaround plan.
• Defer non-critical items cost-effectively for future turnaround windows.

Panelists:
Sarah Earl, Technical Manager, Corporate Turnaround, Chevron Phillips Chemical
Jose Manuel Velarde, Senior Indirect Procurement Manager, Huntsman
Joe Jackson, Turnaround Specialist (retired)
Moderator: Cassidy Welch, Key Account EPC Partnerships, BASF

12:30 – 12:50 | Debate (VIP Access Only): Are Blast Shelters the Best ROI for Improving Safety and Logistics Efficiency?

• Compare real-world cost savings and safety gains of BRMs versus traditional tents/trailers.
• Stay compliant with evolving safety standards while maintaining operational efficiency.
• Evaluate critical design elements and cost factors that make BRMs ideal for turnaround environments.

Debaters:
Eric Rienbolt, Director of Blast Resistant Sales, Redguard
Joe Jackson, re-Retired – Consultant, Project Process Assurance, Incognito Jeaux
Phillip Lange, Custom Projects Sales Manager, RedGuard

13:00 – 13:40 | Expo Tour: Turnarounds Expo Tour and Aggreko Booth Activity Spotlight

Join the Reuters Events team for a guided, high-impact tour of top turnaround vendors, concluding with an interactive booth spotlight featuring Aggreko.

Featuring: BearingPoint, Industrial Tent Systems, KEWAZO, AP-Networks, ONIS, Vallen, Barnhart

Turnarounds
Day 2 – June 26

09:00 – 09:10 | Showcase Presentation (All Access): Manage Scope Priorities During the Execution of a Turnaround

• How to best profile and prioritize risks from late scope alterations.
• Build competitive business cases against late-scope alterations.
• Establish open dialogue with turnaround stakeholders, even without full business support.
• Learn how to properly plan and request exceptions when a late-scope item cannot be postponed.

Speaker: Karen McLain, Senior Turnaround Manager, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

09:20 – 09:40 | Q&A Panel (All Access): Shutdown & Turnaround Showcase Q&A

Panelist: Ziyan Sheriff, Ph.D., Senior Process Data Scientist, Digital Transformation & Innovation, Kaneka
Moderator: Joe Jackson, re-Retired – Consultant, Project Process Assurance, Incognito Jeaux

10:40 – 11:20 | Panel (VIP Access Only): Achieve Agility in Scope Planning and Execution During Scope Reductions

• Optimize scope quality using risk assessment to identify medium and high-risk scope items.
• Transform optimized scope into a compelling business case that delivers post-turnaround reliability.
• Inform capital project strategies by evaluating asset conditions and aligning with end-of-life windows.
• Master scope change management with a dedicated taskforce for real-time execution decisions.

Panelists:
Gabriela Lugo, Senior Expert, TAR, Assets & Maintenance Management, BASF
Jose Mendoza, Senior Turnaround Manager, Dow
Joe Jackson, re-Retired – Consultant, Project Process Assurance, Incognito Jeaux
Moderator: Randy K. Pound, Executive Director, Tormod, Hargrove Engineers and Constructors

Capital Projects
Day 1 – June 25

13:20 – 13:40 | Presentation (VIP Access Only): Case Study – Using Project, Change, and Talent Management to Drive Enterprise-Wide Operational Excellence

• Learn practical tools and methods to accurately monitor and manage project costs, enabling you to deliver projects on budget.
• Gain insights into creating a structured approach to project management that reduces risks and improves performance.

Speaker: Emmitt Wooten, NA Early Career Talent Director, Dow

13:40 – 14:00 | Presentation (VIP Access Only): Case Study – Breaking Out of Pilot Purgatory to Succeed in AI-Driven Global Continuous Improvement

• Align digital initiatives with user needs to reduce resistance and drive a culture of improvement.
• Justify investments in digital solutions with tangible benefits and cost savings.

Speaker: Jonathan Alexander, Manufacturing AI & Advanced Analytics Manager, Albemarle Corporation

14:00 – 14:10 | Q&A: Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Unplugged

Join speakers offstage to exchange insights in a relaxed setting.

Speakers: Emmitt Wooten, Jonathan Alexander
Moderator: Quadri Kazeem, Reliability Engineer, Phillips 66

14:00 – 14:40 | Expo Tour: Capital Projects Expo Tour & International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Booth Spotlight

Tour leading vendors including CDM Smith, Sunstate Equipment, PAYPER North America, GKN Power Metallurgy, Ratnamani, Lodge Lumber Company, and Fidelis Associates.

14:50 – 15:30 | Panel (VIP Access Only): Enhancing Project Outcomes with Readiness Reviews

• Understand quality assurance’s role in reducing risks and improving outcomes.
• Use readiness reviews to catch gaps, optimize resources, and prevent delays.
• Implement industry tools like the Project Definition Rating Index and Construction Readiness Assessment.

Panelists: Courtney Olson, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Callen Maha, Methanex (retired)
Steve Cabano, Pathfinder LLC
Moderator: Stacie Wrobbel, Pathfinder LLC

15:30 – 15:30 | Q&A (VIP Access Only): Capital Projects Speakers Unplugged

Engage with Courtney Olson, Callen Maha, and Steve Cabano for informal discussions.

Capital Projects
Day 2 – June 26

09:10 – 10:10 | Roundtable (Apply for Access): Identifying and Implementing Partnerships to Derisk Project Planning

• Overcome silos among internal teams, contractors, and suppliers for capital project success.
• Adapt to TECOP risks through strategic collaboration.

Participants: Angela Smiley, Ph.D., Dow
Sohil Garg, Motiva Enterprises

11:00 – 11:40 | Panel (All Access): Breaking Silos – Focusing on Synergies Within Downstream Event Management

• Break silos, improve info flow, and build stronger teams for better project results.
• Bridge feasibility and engineering to reduce rework and improve deliverables.
• Use digital platforms for better transparency and version control.

Panelists: David Sheffield, Huntsman
Kymberly Juettemeyer, Dow
Aqeel Gurji, Motiva Enterprises
Moderator: Peter Dill, Huntsman

12:20 – 13:20 | Townhall (VIP Access): Maximizing Value for Continuous Optimization & Stakeholder Satisfaction

• Identify value-enhancement techniques in capital projects.
• Integrate continuous improvement into all phases.
• Engage stakeholders effectively to align goals and outcomes.

Panelists: Jan Shumate, Eastman Chemical
Sohil Garg, Motiva Enterprises
Andrew Kirkland, KBR
Moderator: Randy K. Pound, Tormod, Hargrove Engineers and Constructors

Digital Transformation
Day 2 – June 26

09:10 – 09:20 | Showcase Presentation (All Access): Case Study – Deliver Successful Business- and People-Centric Turnarounds Digital Transformation

• Gain insights into strategies for aligning digital initiatives with end-user needs and preferences, reducing resistance to change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Acquire the knowledge and tools to justify investments in digital solutions, demonstrating tangible benefits and cost savings.
• Learn from peer experiences on planning, executing, and measuring success of digital transformation in TAR operations.

Speaker: Ziyan Sheriff, Ph.D., Senior Process Data Scientist | Digital Transformation & Innovation, Kaneka

10:10 – 10:50 | Expo Tour: Digital Transformation Expo Tour and Hexagon Booth Activity Spotlight

Take a guided tour with the Reuters Events team through top digital transformation vendors, featuring Veriforce, Siemens Industry, Miracad Technologies, Titan Consulting, Samp, L&T Technology Services, and Cognite, with a featured interactive session at the Hexagon booth.

13:30 – 14:10 | Panel (VIP Access Only): Roadmap to Establish a Single Source of Truth (SSOT) to Enable AI Analytics and Improve Reliability

• Explore how an SSOT improves data accuracy, consistency, and decision-making across operations.
• Develop a strategic roadmap to establish an SSOT, overcoming technical and organizational barriers.
• Gain firsthand advice from industry leaders on achieving SSOT adoption and extracting maximum value.

Panelists: Jeff Ackerman, Sand Technologies
Jackie Behles, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Jonathan Alexander, Albemarle Corporation
Moderator: Jeremy Osterberger, President & COO, BIC Alliance

Strategic
Day 1 – June 25

08:20 – 08:30 | Welcome Speech (All Access)

Opening remarks to kick off the event with key themes and event overview.

08:30 – 08:40 | Opening Keynote Address (All Access)

Framing the downstream industry’s current landscape and strategic outlook for the event.

08:40 – 09:40 | Townhall (All Access): Downstream Community Townhall – How to Do More with Less

• Explore how reliability and safety can be maintained while reducing costs over the next four years.
• Discuss how AI, best practices, and digitalization can enhance workforce efficiency and cost competitiveness.
• Debate the viability of new refinery builds amid political shifts.
• Evaluate the value of sustainability and decarbonization beyond climate impact.

Panelists: Brent Railey (Chevron Phillips), Amber Russell (bp), Subrat Tripathy (L&T Technology Services)
Moderator: Jose Pires, Founder & CEO, Global Excellence & Innovation

10:00 – 10:40 | Keynote Panel (All Access): Opportunity-Driven and People-Focused Digital Transformation

• Identify key operational frustrations as signals for digitalization opportunities.
• Learn to define transformation ROI beyond financial metrics.
• Implement sustainable change management practices.

Panelists: Brent Railey (Chevron Phillips), Jeff Brock (LyondellBasell), Jan Shumate (Eastman Chemical), Laurent Bourgouin (SAMP)
Moderator: Jeff Ackerman (Sand Technologies)

11:20 – 11:40 | Presentation: Harness the Autonomic Resilient Operations Technology Framework

• Build confidence in data systems and reduce troubleshooting time.
• Enable proactive, edge-savvy teams and self-optimizing processes.

Speaker: Earl Dodd, Global HPC Business Leader, World Wide Technology

14:30 – 14:50 | Fireside Chat (All Access): The Industrial Metaverse and AI for Downstream

• Understand how immersive technologies are transforming downstream operations.
• Explore AI’s role in predictive insights, process optimization, and strategic agility.

Speaker: John Nixon, Vice President, Siemens Digital Industries Software

14:50 – 15:30 | Keynote Panel (All Access): Risk-Based Reliability Strategies

• Focus resources on high-risk assets to reduce downtime.
• Integrate risk analysis into maintenance and capital projects for long-term reliability.

Panelists: Chris Della-Franco (bp), Amber Randon (Dow), Amanda Duhon (EIC)
Moderator: Jeff Ackerman (Sand Technologies)

15:50 – 16:30 | Keynote Panel (All Access): Securing the Best Talents at the Right Cost

• Balance outsourcing with in-house expertise for long-term plant performance.
• Develop and retain a multigenerational workforce through cultural management.
• Implement knowledge transfer and holistic workforce strategies.

Panelists: Lisa Williams (Dow), Jean-Patrick Ceant (Marathon Oil), Mark Reisenweaver (Marathon Petroleum)
Moderator: Jose Pires (Global Excellence & Innovation)

Strategic
Day 2 – June 26

11:00 – 11:40 | Keynote Panel (All Access): Breaking Silos – Focus on Synergies Within Downstream Event Management

• Maximize turnaround impact by aligning with operations and talent resourcing to reduce plant clearing windows and associated risks.
• Ensure successful capital project execution integrated with turnarounds by bridging cultural and procedural gaps across departments.
• Optimize scope for reliability-led turnarounds and rigorously evaluate scope changes for strategic value.

Panelists: Kymberly Juettemeyer (Dow), Aqeel Gurji (Motiva Enterprises), David Sheffield (Huntsman), Peter Dill (Huntsman)

14:10 – 14:30 | Fireside Chat (All Access): Strategies to Minimize the Impact of a Disrupted Supply Chain on Maintenance, Turnarounds, and Capital Projects

• Learn how to cut emergency sourcing costs and boost turnaround efficiency with advanced procurement strategies in today’s volatile supply chain landscape.
• Get practical tools to extend the lifecycle of aging assets while maintaining reliability performance, including lessons from real-world examples.
• Understand how to navigate budget constraints and prioritize capital projects under economic pressure while upholding operational excellence and sustainability goals.

Speaker: Suhaib Kaissi, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Americas – CAPEX, Maintenance & TA, Huntsman
Moderator: Rebecca Rosas, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Texmark Chemicals (retired)

Interactive
Day 1 – June 25

7:30 – 8:30 | Workshop (Invite Only)

Cooling Without Compromise – Tailored Cooling Tower Solutions for Maximum Productivity

• Implement eco-friendly practices in short-term projects while maintaining high operational performance.
• Streamline processes to save costs and reduce environmental impact.
• Lead your team through sustainability challenges in the energy transition.

Speaker: Billy Childers, Sales Manager, Aggreko

8:00 – 8:20 | Themed Networking (All Access)

Networking Icebreaker

Casual networking with games and pin badges to spark conversation based on shared interests.

10:00 – 11:00 | Workshop (Apply for Access)

Turnaround Safety: Processes, Management & Performance

• Identify and assess medium/high-risk scope items effectively.
• Transform optimized scope into business cases that ensure post-turnaround reliability.
• Evaluate plant asset condition to align capital project strategies with turnaround opportunities.
• Develop a decision-making taskforce for agile scope management.

Speaker: Walter Pinto, Founder & CEO, PennPetChem

11:30 – 12:30 | Roundtable – Challenge Clinic (VIP Access Only)

Capital Projects Challenges Clinic

• Resource optimization and clarity across project lifecycles.
• Integrated annual planning for capital projects and turnarounds.
• Best practices for capital projects digitalization.
• Strategies for continuous optimization and stakeholder satisfaction.

Facilitators: Devyn Schomer (CF Industries), Daryl Gilbert, Ph.D (BASF), Angela Smiley, Ph.D (Dow), Sohil Garg (Motiva Enterprises)

12:00 – 12:20 | Themed Networking (All Access)

Icebreaker Lunch

Connect over lunch using fun networking games and interest-based pin badges.

12:30 – 13:30 | Workshop (Apply for Access)

Fix Critical Data in Brownfield Downstream Projects

• Identify pain points and solutions to “bad data” challenges.
• Encourage cross-functional collaboration through data clarity.
• Explore causes of data inefficiencies blocking innovation.

Speaker: Waleed Al Harthi, CTO & Founder, Rihal
Sponsored by: Rihal

13:00 – 14:00 | Roundtable (Apply for Access)

Identify and Implement Cost-Effective Technologies to Meet Decarbonization Goals

• Benchmark top decarbonization vendors and technologies.
• Define ROI metrics for decarbonization success.

Panelists: Suresh Padmanabhan (Indorama Ventures), Venki Chandrashekar (Chevron Phillips Chemical)

14:00 – 15:30 | Hackathon (Apply for Access)

Identify R&M and Turnaround Performance Challenges Ripe for Digital Transformation

• Recognize when digitalization is (and isn’t) the right approach.
• Design user-informed digital solutions that scale enterprise-wide.
• Evaluate ROI beyond financials for long-term transformation success.
• Share and prepare for unexpected challenges in digital transformation journeys.

Facilitators: Ram Seetepalli (Motiva), Cheenu Vanchinathan (Phillips 66), David Nelson (Energy Resource Group), Paul Adams (Andersen Consulting)

15:00 – 16:00 | Challenge Clinic (VIP Access Only)

Turnarounds Challenges Clinic

• Maximize impact through risk-based scope assessment.
• Balance outsourcing and internal staffing for safety and reliability.
• Integrate capital projects and turnarounds through organizational collaboration.
• Optimize labor allocation across decommissioning/recommissioning events.
• Enable agility in scope reductions through fast, structured decision-making.

Facilitators: Heith Robey (Celanese), Joe Jackson (Consultant), Sarah Earl (Chevron Phillips), Ketan Jhaveri (Chevron Phillips), Lucien Hooks (Chevron Phillips)

15:00 – 15:20 | Themed Networking (All Access)

Icebreaker Coffee Break

Continue building connections with networking games and themed interactions over coffee.

16:00 – 17:30 | Themed Networking (All Access)

Expo Networking Drinks

Unwind with fellow attendees and exhibitors over casual drinks. Sponsored by UFP Packaging, Ironclad Environmental Solutions, and AH Group.

Interactive
Day 2 – June 26

8:30 – 8:50 | Themed Networking (All Access)

Icebreaker Breakfast

Start the day with casual networking, games, and pin badges reflecting your hobbies and interests. Great opportunity to spark new connections in a relaxed environment.

9:20 – 10:20 | Roundtable (Apply for Access)

Open Agenda Roundtable

Engage in participant-led discussions tailored to your most pressing operational, strategic, or technical challenges.

10:30 – 11:30 | Challenge Clinic (VIP Access Only)

Reliability & Maintenance Challenges Clinic

• Develop rapid, data-informed reliability-centered maintenance strategies tailored for aging assets.
• Adopt digitalization best practices to boost connected field worker productivity.
• Benchmark your condition monitoring strategy to improve plant reliability and asset visibility.

Facilitators:
David Nixon (LyondellBasell), Richard Ellis (Dow), Aaron Higginbotham (LyondellBasell), Harry Mozafari (SABIC)

10:50 – 11:50 | Roundtable (Apply for Access)

Open Agenda Roundtable

Another opportunity to share peer-led insights and build customized solutions around challenges you and your team are facing.

11:50 – 13:20 | Hackathon (Apply for Access)

Roadmap to Develop Your Influential Leaders and Maximize Retention and Effectiveness

• Identify the types of influential leaders in the industry and their organizational ROI.
• Explore Dow’s leadership development programs designed to grow talent across all levels.
• Design a leadership roadmap that builds culture, enables knowledge transfer, and drives workforce motivation.

Speakers:
John Irvine, Senior Project Manager, Global Operations Centre of Expertise, Dow
Lisa Williams, Talent Strategy Director, Global Manufacturing and Engineering Operations, Dow
Kymberly Juettemeyer, Global Senior Project Manager, Learning & Operational Excellence, Dow
Richard Ellis, Design For Reliability & Maintainability Improvement Leader (Dfram), Dow