From 27 to 29 October 2026, the international ETIM community will gather in Torremolinos, Spain, for the fifth anniversary edition of the ETIM Forum. Under the overarching theme “The Future”, this year’s event will explore the opportunities, challenges and fundamental questions shaping the future of ETIM International and the industries it serves.
Over the past five years, the ETIM Forum has developed into an established annual meeting point for the global ETIM community. What began as an initiative to bring the international community closer together has become an important platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences and strengthening collaboration across national borders and industry sectors.
Bringing together representatives from national ETIM organisations, Global Industry Members and industry experts, the Forum provides a unique opportunity to reflect on achievements, explore new developments and jointly consider the road ahead.
The 2026 Forum moves to the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain, where the Meliá Costa del Sol hotel in Torremolinos will host three days of meetings, presentations, discussions and networking.
The Future: a theme more relevant than ever
“The Future” may be a familiar conference theme, but rarely has it been more appropriate.
The pace of technological change is accelerating. Artificial intelligence is challenging established ways of working, digitalisation continues to transform product information management, and growing demands for reliable, standardised and verifiable product data are creating both opportunities and challenges.
For ETIM International, these developments raise fundamental questions. How should the ETIM standards evolve? What role will artificial intelligence play in classification and product data management? How can ETIM remain relevant, sustainable and responsive to the needs of an increasingly digital and interconnected global industry?
The fifth anniversary of the ETIM Forum offers a fitting moment to reflect on these questions and, more importantly, to start shaping the answers together.
An inspiring programme with international perspectives
The main Forum day, Wednesday 28 October, features a diverse programme of presentations, practical use cases, new initiatives and forward-looking discussions.
Industry representatives from companies and organisations including Eaton Industries, Van Marcke, FAB-DIS, ETIM France, Ketenstandaard Bouw en Techniek, 2BA and the UK’s building materials sector will share their experiences with ETIM adoption, data quality, standardisation and digital transformation.
Special attention will be given to emerging developments and applications, including ETIM Modelling Classes (ETIM MC), the use of standardised data for market insights, and new approaches to improving the reliability and verifiability of product information.
The Forum will also welcome speakers representing Dii Desert Energy, the Zero Emission Trading Alliance (ZETA) and the Kaspa Industrial Initiative. Their contribution will explore the role of ETIM standards in green energy, emissions trading and battery passports, connecting established product data standards with emerging sustainability and digital verification initiatives.
Will artificial intelligence make ETIM redundant?
One of the most thought-provoking sessions will be a panel discussion entitled “AI vs ETIM: Replace us—or make us indispensable?”
Once artificial intelligence has absorbed the ETIM classification structure and learned how to apply it, could AI eventually maintain and evolve the classification itself, making ETIM as an organisation redundant?
Or will shared governance, industry expertise and accountability become more important than ever?
The panel will challenge conventional thinking about ETIM’s future, addressing both the opportunities of AI-driven classification and data enrichment and the risks of unreliable information, lost context and unclear responsibility.
Shaping ETIM’s strategic direction
Beyond technological developments, the Forum will also address ETIM International’s own future direction.
An important part of the programme will be dedicated to the ETIM Roadmap 2027, announcing a strategic consultation among ETIM’s national organisations. Together with updates on international developments and opportunities for expansion into new sectors, this will provide valuable input for the organisation’s future priorities.
As in previous years, the Forum will be complemented by meetings of the ETIM General Assembly and the General Technical Committee, allowing representatives to combine strategic discussions, technical collaboration and community engagement during the same week.
Five years of bringing the ETIM community together
While the programme looks firmly towards the future, the fifth anniversary also provides an opportunity to celebrate what makes the ETIM Forum special: its international community.
The Forum is not only about standards, technology and strategy. It is equally about the people and organisations behind ETIM, sharing knowledge, building relationships and working together towards a common goal.
With a welcome reception, informal networking opportunities and the traditional Forum dinner overlooking the Mediterranean, the 2026 edition promises to offer plenty of opportunities to reconnect with colleagues from around the world.
Five years after the first ETIM Forum, one thing remains clear: the future of ETIM will not be determined by technology alone, but by the collective knowledge, commitment and collaboration of its international community. We look forward to celebrating this milestone in Torremolinos and, above all, to shaping the next chapter of ETIM together.
ETIM Forum 2026 – Event information *
Dates: 27–29 October 2026
Location: Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos, Spain
- Tuesday 27 October: ETIM General Assembly and welcome reception
- Wednesday 28 October: ETIM Forum – presentations, panel discussion and Forum dinner
- Thursday 29 October: ETIM General Technical Committee meeting
* Registration is now closed for this private event. The General Assembly and Technical Committee meetings are restricted to their respective delegates.