The event, at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy, MI, offered 16 presentations addressing a variety of topics, including advances in raw materials; new developments in test methods; and issues related to coatings formulation, application and performance. The program carried a theme of "Racing to a High Performance Finish."

Conference moderators were Walter Meyer, DuPont Performance Coatings; Michael Hutto, PVS Norwood Chemicals; Donald Emch, PPG Industries Inc.; and John Duggan, GM Corp. The program also included two short courses: Coatings Defects in the Plant and in the Field," conducted by Clifford Schoff, Schoff Associates, and "Crosslinking in Coatings," led by Loren Hill, coatings consultant.

The event's Coatings Products Showcase, under the direction of Exhibits Coordinator Sandy Mitton of Baker Petrolite, featured an expanded exhibition that included 20 displays.