ILMA Annual Meeting 2025: 7 Key Takeaways & Insights

September 9, 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

The ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 will be held from October 4–7, 2025 at the iconic Boca Raton Resort in Florida. Recognized as the premier gathering of the independent lubricant manufacturing industry, the event consistently attracts more than 1,000 leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. It is widely regarded as the place where strategy meets collaboration, where market insights shape future innovation, and where business partnerships are forged for long-term growth.

For Rawsource, attending the ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 is not simply about being present; it is about being positioned at the very forefront of industry conversations. Our focus on custom chemical blending and innovation in specialty solutions aligns directly with the event’s mission of advancing the lubricants industry.

In this article, we share 7 key takeaways that underscore the importance of this year’s event and how Rawsource will maximize its presence to create real value.

ILMA Annual Meeting 2025: Dates and Venue

The ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 is scheduled for October 4–7, 2025, hosted at the Boca Raton Resort, an iconic Florida venue renowned for blending modern business facilities with a scenic, inspiring oceanfront atmosphere.

Dates: Saturday, October 4 – Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Venue: The Boca Raton, 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, Florida

Expected Attendees: 1,000+ leaders from lubricant manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and specialty chemical companies

This annual gathering is not a trade show—it is designed as an executive-level conference, focusing on strategic business opportunities, regulatory updates, and fostering deeper industry collaboration.

For Rawsource, the meeting is an opportunity to:

Strengthen our relationships with suppliers and partners.

Explore the evolving demands of customers across industries.

Showcase the adaptability of our custom chemical blending solutions in addressing market challenges.

ILMA emphasizes its core promise: “Real Voices. Real Value. Real Connections.” This aligns perfectly with our ethos of building sustainable, collaborative growth through innovation.

Elite Networking with Industry Leaders

Networking is the most cited reason participants attend the ILMA Annual Meeting. With more than 1,000 decision-makers present, the event provides a rare chance to interact directly with executives and technical leaders shaping the future of lubricants and specialty chemicals. Networking opportunities include:

Base Camp: The central hub where companies host meetings, display capabilities, and conduct informal discussions.

Committee Meetings: Smaller, topic-focused sessions where technical, regulatory, and business discussions occur.

Evening Receptions & Social Activities: Including golf tournaments and casual gatherings that create space for personal connections beyond formal settings.

For Rawsource, networking will be a key strategic priority. Our team will be engaging with potential partners to highlight how custom chemical blending can support their specific product innovation and compliance needs. By building relationships not only in formal settings but also in informal spaces, we aim to foster trust and long-term collaboration.

Learning from Keynotes and Expert Panels

The ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 offers a high-value educational agenda designed to provide both market intelligence and forward-looking perspectives. This year, attendees can expect sessions led by world-class thought leaders:

Keynote Address by Chris Christie: Former New Jersey Governor and presidential candidate will share perspectives on policy navigation and business resilience in uncertain times.

Technical & Market Sessions: Covering topics such as:
- The Evolving Business of Metalworking Fluids (Michelle Brakke)
- Future Technology Trends (Jim Carroll)
- Additive Market Updates (Brenna Huovie & Annie Jarquin)

Commercial Vehicle Electrification Through 2040 (Kaustav Sinha)

Each session provides actionable insights that Rawsource can leverage in product development and strategy. For instance, electrification trends directly influence demand for new fluid formulations, while additive market updates provide direction for innovation in custom chemical blending.

By actively participating in these sessions, Rawsource positions itself to anticipate market shifts and deliver forward-thinking solutions to our customers.

Inspiring Atmosphere at Boca Raton Resort

The choice of The Boca Raton Resort as the venue is strategic. Beyond its reputation for luxury, the venue creates an environment that fosters productivity and inspiration. October’s warm climate—averaging in the low 80s—encourages both structured meetings and casual conversations by the ocean.

Conference Facilities: Equipped with state-of-the-art meeting rooms and business centers.

Relaxation Opportunities: Golf courses, oceanfront spaces, and leisure facilities support relationship-building in informal settings.

Cultural Significance: A long history of hosting executive-level conferences that merge work with lifestyle.

For Rawsource, this setting supports not only networking but also internal team strategy alignment. The ability to engage with clients and partners in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere helps conversations go beyond the transactional, creating room for authentic collaboration.

Actionable Intelligence from Committees

ILMA’s committees are one of the most powerful aspects of the Annual Meeting. These sessions focus on critical areas that shape the lubricant industry, including:

Technical Committee: Addressing advances in formulations and new technologies.

Government Affairs Committee: Sharing updates on U.S. and international regulatory changes that affect compliance.

Supplier Committee: Highlighting innovation in raw materials and additives.

For Rawsource, committee participation is not just about staying informed—it’s about aligning our custom chemical blending solutions with upcoming regulatory frameworks and client needs. By engaging with committee discussions, we can proactively prepare to support clients facing new environmental or compliance pressures.

As global sustainability and performance standards evolve, insights from ILMA committees give us the intelligence to future-proof our offerings.

Future ILMA Events Extend the Momentum

The ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 is just the beginning. ILMA has a full calendar of events designed to extend networking and learning year-round:

ILMA Engage – April 2026
Venue: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, Florida
Focus: Interactive networking and peer-to-peer exchange in a more intimate setting.

ILMA Annual Meeting 2026 – October 2026
Venue: Phoenix, Arizona
Focus: Expanding the conversation on the industry’s next challenges.

For Rawsource, a consistent presence across these events builds long-term credibility. Clients and partners will see not only our solutions but also our commitment to being actively engaged in the industry’s evolution.

Rawsource’s Strategic Value at ILMA 2025

For Rawsource, participation at the ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 is about demonstrating leadership. Our strategy includes:

Showcasing Custom Chemical Blending: Demonstrating how we design specialty blends tailored to customer needs, improving performance while ensuring compliance.

Thought Leadership: Sharing insights from sessions through blogs, newsletters, and client briefings post-event.

Client Engagement: Scheduling structured meetings and informal discussions to build stronger relationships.

Future-Ready Positioning: Using ILMA insights to guide R&D and service development for 2026 and beyond.

By combining networking, learning, and strategic showcasing, Rawsource’s presence at ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 reinforces our position as a trusted innovation partner in the lubricants industry.

Conclusion

The ILMA Annual Meeting 2025 is more than a conference—it is a catalyst for industry progress. From October 4–7, 2025, at the Boca Raton Resort, the event brings together over 1,000 decision-makers to shape the future of lubricants, additives, and specialty chemicals.

The 7 key takeaways—event essentials, elite networking, expert keynotes, inspiring venue, actionable committee intelligence, future ILMA events, and Rawsource’s strategic engagement—underscore why this meeting is indispensable.

We invite partners, clients, and peers to connect with us at ILMA 2025. Let’s collaborate, innovate, and build the solutions that will define the industry’s future.