The Conference
The PRIME Expo’s one-day conference benefits plant and department managers, supervisors and frontline workers involved in reliability, inspection & maintenance, shutdowns & turnarounds, supply chain sourcing, and process digitalization.
Three panels of top plant professionals in the Houston area will share their successes in solving real operational challenges and discuss how to stay ahead in an evolving industrial landscape.
Plant employees may register to attend the panel discussions for free by using the code Owner26 at checkout.
2026 Conference Panel Discussions
Industry Panel 1
Vendors to Partners: Structuring contractor relationships built on standards, trust and shared safety culture
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Industry Partner: Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
Moderator: Chad Burke, President and CEO of Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
Session Sponsor:
Industry Panel 2
Proven Strategies for Advancing Asset Reliability
Time: 11 a.m. - noon
Industry Partner: Texas Chemistry Council
Moderator: Hector Rivero, President and CEO of Texas Chemistry Council/Texas Chemistry Association
Featured Speakers:
Ascend Performance Materials – Scott Van Wagener, Senior Site Director-CHB
LyondellBasell – Mark Mitchell, Maintenance & Reliability Manager
Oxy – Joseph Sepulveda, Maintenance Manager
Session Sponsor:
Industry Panel 3
Optimizing Plant Availability: From condition-based maintenance to turnaround excellence
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Industry Partner: EHCMA, East Harris County Manufacturers Association
Moderator: Aaron Stryk, Public & Gov’t Affairs Manager of ExxonMobil
Featured Speakers:
CPChem – Dirk Perrin, Plant Manager
PEMEX Deer Park – Greg Marino, Vice President of Engineering
INVISTA – Grant Hopkins, Asset Management Leader
Chevron – Alun Phillips, Refinery Manage
Session Sponsor:
2026 Schedule
9:00 AM
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
4:30 PM
Expo Hall Opens
Industry Panel 1
Coffee Break
Industry Panel 2
Lunch Service
Ice Cream Break
Industry Panel 3
Happy Hour
Expo Hall Closes