NIHC to Convene Global Leaders in New York to Advance Hemp Policy and Drive Fiber Innovation from Seed to Style

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2026—Registration is now open for the 2026 NIHC Global Industrial Hemp Fiber Summit Sept. 16-18, 2026, held at and in collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

Building on the momentum of its inaugural summit, the 2026 event will cover innovations in industrial hemp fiber from seed to final product. Featuring innovations from sponsors and exhibitors, physical tours, expert speakers, engaging discussions, and networking opportunities, the 2026 NIHC Global Industrial Hemp Fiber Summit offers something for everyone across the value chain. 

“Once again, NIHC is excited to offer this summit to focus on the power of hemp fiber,” said NIHC President & CEO Patrick Atagi. “Building on the success of last year’s summit, we will showcase that as the global demand for sustainable materials grows, it is critical the U.S. hemp industry aligns around quality, standards and scalable processing capacity to compete in international markets.”

Hosted in the heart of the global fashion and textile industry, the summit will focus on advancing hemp fiber as a reliable, high-performance input across key sectors. Programming will include technical workshops, tours, expert-led sessions and collaborative discussions designed to address key industry priorities, including:

• Development of nationally recognized standards and specifications 
• Expansion of U.S. fiber processing and supply chain capacity 
• Alignment with global market requirements and buyer expectations 
• Innovation in textile applications and advanced materials 

Summit participants, including investors, manufacturers, brands, farmers and industry experts, will help contribute to shaping a shared roadmap for the future of U.S. hemp fiber, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to consistency, transparency and long-term growth.

“The 2026 summit reflects the growing alignment across hemp industry sectors and government around hemp fiber as a strategic opportunity,” Atagi added. “We are excited to offer this summit to help ensure the U.S. is positioned to lead in the global market.”

The full agenda and speaker details are being finalized, but registration is open. Visit 

www.nihcglobalsummit.com  for summit details, registration and sponsorship opportunities. 

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The National Industrial Hemp Council is the trusted voice of America’s industrial hemp industry. We bring together growers, processors, manufacturers and policymakers to build a marketplace based on consistency, transparency and consumer trust. As a vetted partner of the federal government, we use federal funds to support our mission: to give consumers confidence, provide businesses with clarity and position U.S. hemp as an essential part of the global economy. We achieve this through guidance from subject matter experts, industry experience and science-based programs. To foster a thriving global industry, we work with international hemp partners through our membership and participation in the Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO), the Asian Industrial Hemp Federation (AIHF), as well as ASTM International, the American Society for Testing and Materials, and A2LA, Assessment Accreditation Services.