2026 PLM Road Map & PDT North America

PLM professionals (where the “P” in PLM is a product, plant, system, or asset depending on the industry) must assess and optimize a long list of factors as they manage the progression of their organization’s enterprise PLM solution. Each year, there is notable progress across the fundamentals, including data interoperability, collaboration, organizational change management, governance, and sponsorship. There are value-framing factors to update, such as the digital thread, digital twin, digital transformation, and MBx. Then, every so often, there is a true disruptor to absorb, such as artificial intelligence (AI).

AI has recently moved from experimental to a strategic imperative. The challenge is compounded by the emergence of large language model-based generative AI, which is fundamentally different from the traditional machine learning and optimization techniques that engineering organizations have used for years, with varying requirements for data infrastructure, governance, and deployment.

At PLM Road Map & PDT 2026, we will cut through the AI hype by providing practical insights into where PLM professionals are finding real value today and how they are navigating implementation challenges. The focus will be on learning from both successes and failures, understanding the prerequisites for successful deployment, and developing clear frameworks for prioritizing AI investments in PLM, including product development.

The goal of PLM Road Map & PDT 2026 is to equip attendees with practical approaches to strengthen the PLM foundations, expand their digital threads, enrich their digital twins, and prioritize the right AI-enabled use cases to scale across the lifecycle. Through case studies, peer discussion, and honest lessons learned, you will leave with clearer decision criteria, proven implementation patterns, and a sharper view of where to focus next.

Building on prior conferences, our agenda will offer a mix of reports and case studies shared by industry experts, covering the people, process, and technology aspects of product life cycle digitalization. Join your peers at PLM Road Map & PDT 2026 to learn, discuss, and collaborate to advance product lifecycle digitalization.

Presentation topics will include progress on the PLM fundamentals, updates on value factors, and practical insights on AI in PLM:

• The Digital Thread, Digital Twin & The AI Connection: Exploring the realization of digital thread-digital twin, and how AI can both leverage and help construct digital threads to discover connections and integrate AI capabilities with existing PLM, ERP, and engineering systems across complex, multi-vendor technology environments.
• Organizational Change Management, Skills Development & The Human-in-the Loop: Preparing the workforce for a digital thread and an AI-augmented future. Learn how to develop new skills and manage the cultural shifts required to thrive in a digital-first environment. Discussions will focus on developing new skill sets, managing organizational change, and implementing effective "Human-in-the-Loop" models for augmenting human capabilities.
• Data Infrastructure, Governance & IP Security: Establishing a foundation for trust. Understanding the technical and strategic requirements for data quality, governance structures, and infrastructure requirements, including IP protection, trust frameworks, and managing liability concerns in shared data environments.
• Extended Digital Thread & AI Implementation: Scaling AI and Digital Thread capabilities across the value chain. Strategies for extending digital thread and AI capabilities beyond the enterprise to include the supply chain and customers. Key focus areas include security, IP protection, and governance.
• Standards for Digital Thread & AI: Leveraging standards to reduce risk and enable interoperability. Understanding how existing and emerging standards that support digital thread and AI implementation, can reduce risk, and enable interoperability across diverse systems and organizations.
• Democratization in PLM Software Development: How conversational AI and low-code/no-code capabilities are empowering end-users to extend and customize PLM systems without specialist intervention. What are the implications for the traditional roles of software providers and systems integrators?
• Executive Engagement & Strategic Sponsorship: Effectively communicating the business value of PLM and AI to executive leadership. Moving from technical potential to board-level buy-in. How to craft compelling value propositions that align PLM and AI initiatives with core business outcomes and long-term executive priorities.
• Sustainability & The Circular Economy: Driving sustainable innovation and regulatory compliance. Leveraging PLM and AI to support sustainability initiatives and compliance with emerging regulations, including managing the Digital Product Passport.

Don't miss PLM Road Map & PDT North America 2026 on 6-7 May if you are concerned with PLM and delivering increased business value on all levels in and across your enterprise. Regardless of your industry, join us in the Washington D.C. area for the opportunity to interact with PLM leaders and your peers, learn about successes and trends, and take the next step in your journey as a PLM professional.

Please mark your calendars now and plan to join us in May 2026.