Specification Management Summit 2026 Recap: Intelligence Starts with the Spec

Spec Summit 2026 has officially concluded in New Orleans, marking a milestone in the industry’s journey toward a spec-first approach to data and innovation. This year’s event was our most ambitious yet, bringing together industry leaders to explore the theme: “Intelligence Starts with the Spec.” From the opening keynote to deep-dive sessions and the Spec Awards, the message was clear: in an era of rapid AI advancement, a spec-first foundation is the prerequisite for success.

If you weren’t able to join us in person, here is a recap of the main stage events and key takeaways from Spec Summit 2026.

The Keynote: Evolution Toward an AI-Powered, Spec-First PLM

Specright CEO Mike Boese kicked off Spec Summit by charting the evolution of Specification Management. He highlighted Specright’s journey from its roots in packaging (2012-2016) to product development (2016-2021) and full Product Lifecycle Management (2021-2025+).

The headline was the leap into the AI Era (2025+). Mike and Chief Product Officer Karthik Rajagopal introduced the vision for an AI-Powered, Spec-First PLM. Unlike generic AI, this platform is built on the SpecGraph, which provides the structured data and domain intelligence necessary for AI to deliver real business value. A highlight was the live development of “SpecLyte,” a lime electrolyte drink. Attendees watched it move from ideation to consumption in mere minutes.

Making AI Real: Collaboration and Trust

A recurring theme was that AI is a “clarity engine,” not just productivity software. The organizations realizing the most significant value are those that treat AI as a long-term capability and a relationship, rather than a simple transaction.

Key takeaways from our AI sessions included:

• Data Readiness is Essential: You cannot automate with unstructured data. AI needs a foundation of clean, connected specs.
• Human-Machine Partnership: The best outcomes come from human intuition plus machine precision. AI handles the tedious work so humans can focus on intent.
• Trust and Validation: AI must be transparent and auditable. Every recommendation should be validated against actual spec rules before it is shown.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Spec Summit 2026 featured a series of sessions led by distinguished industry veterans. These discussions provided attendees with a rare look into the strategic mindsets of global leaders as they navigate an increasingly digital and regulated supply chain landscape.

This year we were excited to have Kitty Dowgert of Taylor Farms as our event chair. Other key contributors included Elizabeth Wolniakowski from Walgreens, who shared insights on the “Retail Mindset,” and analysts John Blake of Gartner and Ryan Fox of Bloomberg, who discussed future trends in packaging. Other featured leaders included Jonathan Rabedeau of NicePak, Claudia Barrera of Colgate-Palmolive, and Brittany Studmire of Sol de Janeiro. These experts, plus many more, offered practical strategies for transforming static data into a high-impact business advantage.

Specright’s product team showcased several new features to help teams manage portfolios at scale. These updates address rising sustainability and regulatory requirements. Key highlights included:

• Mass Revision: Update a single ingredient across an entire product portfolio in minutes instead of days.
• Supplier Alternates: Maintain one “Gold Standard” spec linked directly to various supplier versions for easy comparison.
• EPR Report Generator: Automate complex Extended Producer Responsibility reporting by combining sales data with Specright data.
• Compliance Insights: Identify regulatory risks early in the design phase to make smarter material choices.
• How2Recycle Integration: Export packaging components directly from BOMs to get labels faster with less back-and-forth.

For the Power Users: Spec Navigator

A major focus for our technical attendees was Spec Navigator, a dedicated workshop designed to empower Specright Admins. Participants moved beyond simple configuration to adopt a true “platform owner” mindset, learning how to design navigation and list views that prioritize clarity over clutter. The session provided a deep dive into future-proof automation tools like Salesforce Flow, emphasizing that good governance is what makes powerful automation safe. By focusing on removing friction and standardizing patterns, admins left equipped to serve as force multipliers for their organization’s success.