The general session speakers have been announced for the 2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo, scheduled for March 31 to April 2, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The general session will be held Wed., April 1, and will feature the presentation of three industry awards, a keynote presentation, followed by a moderated roundtable discussion focused on biochar and biocarbon market development. The general session keynote presentation will be delivered by Rudi Roeslein, founder of Roeslein Alternative Energy, whose work has advanced integrated biomass, renewable energy and carbon-negative project development across the U.S.
âNashville continues to be an outstanding host city for the International Biomass Conference & Expo, and the momentum weâre seeing for 2026 reflects both the strength of the market and the caliber of the speakers and sessionsâ said John Nelson, chief operating officer of BBI International and Biomass Magazine. âWith a keynote from Rudi Roeslein and a general session lineup that brings together leaders shaping the future of biochar, biocarbon and carbon-negative systems, the content this year is exceptional. Registration and exhibitor interest are pacing well ahead of expectations, underscoring the industryâs enthusiasm for the conversations and opportunities this event delivers.â
Following the keynote, the program will feature a 65-minute Biochar and Biocarbon Roundtable discussion.
Roundtable participants include:
- Moderator Myles Gray, executive director, U.S. Biochar Initiative
- John Teal, vice president of commercial, TSI, and board chairman, International Biomass Torrefaction and Carbonization Council
- Andrew White, cofounder and CEO, CHAR Technologies
- John-Paul Taylor, founding partner, KindlePoint Partners
- Kevin Hatman, U.S. communications and trust manager, Carbonfuture
The discussion will explore the evolving role of biocarbon and biochar in carbon-negative energy systems, market development, investment considerations and integration across the broader biomass value chain. Audience members will be able to engage directly with panelists by asking questions from the floor or submitting questions electronically during the session.
âThis yearâs general session reflects where the biomass industry is headed,â said Anna Simet, senior editor and director of content at BBI International. âWith biocarbon and biochar moving from niche applications toward scalable, investable solutions, the conversation around market development, integration and carbon value has never been more timely. Bringing together this group of speakers allows us to explore those dynamics in a practical, forward-looking way.â
In addition to the general session, industry association executives will host breakout discussions following general session, bringing together producers and co-panelists for more targeted, in-depth conversations. These breakout discussions will feature:
- Tim Portz, executive director, Pellet Fuels Institute
- Darrell Smith, executive director, U.S. Industrial Pellet Association
- Carrie Annand, executive director, American Biomass Energy Association
- Patrick Serfass, executive director, American Biogas Council
- Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs, Clean Fuels Alliance America
Registration for the 2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo provides access to all conference programming at one price, including sessions from all co-located events, plenary and breakout sessions, entry to the Expo, meal functions and speaker presentations available through the conference app during the event. Biomass producers are eligible to attend at no cost. The 2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo, co-located with the North American Biocarbon Conference, will take place March 31âApril 2 in Nashville, Tennessee.