Dear Council on Competitiveness Community,
Across the country and around the world, the emergence and convergence of AI, quantum, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and new forms of energy are reshaping how nations compete, raising the stakes for how quickly the United States can turn discovery into production, deployment, and impact. As the Council approaches the close of its 40th anniversary year, our work is focused on what it will take for America and Americans to prosper in this new era.
In December, we will bring this work together at the capstone of our year: the 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on December 16 and the 2026 National Competitiveness Forum (NCF) on December 17, at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. We will have a robust agenda, built around key ongoing Council initiatives — and this year's event is tracking to be our best yet in terms of early interest and registrations.
At the NCF, we will release an illuminating perspective on how America and Americans are doing 40 years after John Young founded the Council – tapping back into our historical roots of benchmarking U.S. economic performance. The report will shine a light on the nation’s position across the capabilities, technologies, and industries shaping the next economy. We will also present recommendations for advancing smart regulations, standards, and intellectual property protections; our industrial bioeconomy; as well as strategies to grow the next generation of place-making innovation and manufacturing prowess in communities across the country.
You will receive more details about the agenda and an impressive lineup of speakers in the coming weeks – including a major fireside chat between our distinguished Chair, Erik Fyrwald (Chair and CEO, IFF), and one of the world’s most dynamic industry leaders, helming one of the most innovative firms – Dave Ricks (Chair and CEO, Eli Lilly and Company)
You will not want to miss that conversation – and all the other surprises to come. Space at the NCF is limited, so I encourage you to register now. Council members receive a significant discount; please contact Council EVP and COO Chad Evans for your registration code.
I am also deeply grateful to the 2026 NCF sponsors who have already committed their support, including:
- The University of Pittsburgh
- Bank of America
- Lockheed Martin
- The University of Colorado Boulder
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- Fragrance Creators Association
- IFF
- Procter & Gamble
- Resource Resolutions, Ltd.
- The University of Maryland
- The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- HNTB
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Notre Dame Research
- Triad National Security
- Battelle
- Carnegie Mellon University
- George Mason University
- MITRE
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- The University of California, Davis,
- The University of California, Merced
- The University of California, Riverside
- The University of Georgia
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
I hope all of our members consider joining them, as NCF sponsorship is an important funding source for the Council’s ongoing work. Please review the sponsorship brochure and contact me or Chad Evans to discuss opportunities.
Looking ahead to November, I am very excited to welcome TLSI members to our new DC headquarters at 801 18th Street NW for Dialogue 33. During the meeting, members will weigh in on the Council’s proposal for Advanced Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Zones and hear from two distinguished presenters: Dr. Vijay Swarup, retired Chief Technology Officer of ExxonMobil, on AI, energy, and the global technology race; and Dr. Micah Stoutimore, Managing Director of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), on the future of quantum computing. Please email Chad if you are interested in learning more.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Willard in December to celebrate four decades of the Council’s work and to chart the next 40 together. Thank you for your partnership and your commitment to advancing U.S. competitiveness.
Sincerely,
Deborah L. Wince-Smith
President & CEO
Council on Competitiveness
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Read the full edition of the October 2026 Compete Connect newsletter, including much more about the Council's upcoming engagement opportunities and initiatives led by Council Members, below:
