ILTA 2025 Conference & Trade Show Spotlights Industry Momentum, Connection, and Future Talent
A renewed sense of energy and purpose defines ILTA’s premier gathering in Houston
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC (June 20, 2025) — The ILTA 2025 Conference & Trade Show, held June 9–11 in Houston, Texas, welcomed thousands of liquid terminal professionals from all 50 states and several countries for a week of education, networking, and industry celebration. As the largest event focused exclusively on the business and technology of liquid terminals, ILTA 2025 marked a fresh chapter for the association and the sector it serves.
With 540 conference attendees, over 4,200 trade show attendees, and more than 50 new exhibitors, the event returned to the Marriott Marquis Houston and George R. Brown Convention Center, where ILTA’s new brand identity was on full display. The tone throughout the week was energetic, collaborative, and future-focused—many attendees remarked on the uniquely positive and uplifting atmosphere.
“We are deeply grateful to every attendee, speaker, sponsor, and exhibitor who helped make ILTA 2025 such a powerful gathering,” said Leakhena Swett, ILTA President. “The sense of optimism and momentum in Houston was unmistakable. From meaningful dialogue in sessions to electric networking moments, this event reminded us how vital it is to come together as a community and how much potential lies ahead.”
Conference sessions explored both technical and strategic issues critical to the industry, including cybersecurity for industrial systems and infrastructure, regulatory readiness, sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, leadership development, and terminal workforce evolution. Participants engaged deeply, asking big questions about how the industry must adapt and how to prepare the next generation to lead it.
Keynote speakers Carly Fiorina and Admiral James Stavridis brought bold ideas to the stage. Fiorina shared lessons in resilience and transformative leadership, while Stavridis spoke to the strategic value of U.S. energy and emphasized the essential role women will play in shaping the sector’s future.
That message carried through the week, especially during the Women in Terminals networking reception, where a dynamic panel explored how careers evolve with life changes, the global nuances of DEI, and ways to support the next generation of women in the industry. That same spirit of mentorship and inclusion was felt at the first-ever Industry Summit: Career Opportunities in Tank Terminals, where This One’s for the Gals —a nonprofit initiative introducing young women to career pathways in construction, energy, manufacturing, and maritime—brought fresh energy and heart to the event. Their presence was a strong reminder of the industry’s role in inspiring and empowering future talent.
The Industry Summit connected students and early-career professionals with terminal operators, HR leaders, and mentors, reinforcing ILTA’s long-term commitment to workforce development and industry access.
The Conference Reception, moved indoors due to Monday’s rain, kept the excitement going with a packed room, great conversations, and a sense of real camaraderie. Across every venue, networking was the most celebrated aspect of the event, with attendees reconnecting and building new relationships in line, during coffee breaks, and among hundreds of exhibit booths at the trade show.
The trade show floor was certainly a hub of activity, with attendees exploring new technologies, safety solutions, and service providers across two exhibit halls at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Storage Terminals Magazine, ILTA’s official media partner, added vibrance and visibility with live coverage and a strong presence on the show floor as well as at the Marriott Marquis.
ILTA 2025 confirmed what many already know: the industry is evolving… and this is where progress meets people.
Save the date: ILTA 2026 returns to Houston, June 15–17, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis and George R. Brown Convention Center.
About ILTA
The International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) is the only trade association focused exclusively on the liquid terminal industry. ILTA advocates on behalf of its members in Washington, DC, delivers essential regulatory and operational resources, and connects the industry through world-class events, training, and networking opportunities.
Learn more at www.ilta.org.
Contact:
Loren Eisenlohr
Senior Director of Brand and Member Strategy
International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA)
leisenlohr@ilta.org | 703-875-2011