By Mike Richman
The annual World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI) from ASQ is the place to experience an impressive breadth of content about the top-of-mind topics for those concerned with organizational excellence: standardization, risk, culture, and, overlaying them all, the central role of artificial intelligence. If you’re a professional who is actively involved with the quality industry, this is the big one.
This year’s WCQI, which celebrated ASQ’s 80th anniversary, took place May 17–20 at the Marriott Orlando World Center. Because of the locale just a stone’s throw from Disney World, a/k/a the Magic Kingdom, WCQI’s theme, “When Purpose and Quality Meet, Magic Happens,” was perfectly appropriate. Indeed, many of the speakers played with the idea about how the commitment to quality reinforces every element of organizational success.
Inspiring keynotes, in-depth sessions
WCQI was filled with exceptional presenters offering inspiring and informative content every single day.
Keynoters Simon Bailey and Christine Cashen offered captivating, wise, and witty early-morning talks that fired up the nearly 2,000 attendees early on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Themes around leadership, culture, creativity, and fun were expertly woven into their keynote addresses, and left us to ponder how to take personal accountability for excellence in everything we do. Both were perfect lead-ins to the action-packed days that followed.
It was, quite literally, impossible to see every breakout session during the three days of WCQI. More than 100 speakers presented on critical topics like AI, risk, FMEA, root cause analysis, quality leadership, data analysis, and forthcoming standards such as ISO 9001:2026 and ISO 19011:2026. And much, much more. Insights were provided about every angle of quality, delivered straight from today’s leading thinkers in our industry.
Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, we were treated to an in-depth panel discussion featuring quality leaders Prashant Darisi, Anitha Latha Kapu, Marko Zgela, and ASQ CEO Sid Bhatnagar. These four executives had a lively discussion about what makes quality live in their organizations. This was an exceptional closing session that helped underscore quality as the driver of competitive advantage.
Partnership on full display
One of the most notable things about quality is that it’s best performed as a team activity. Opportunities to meet new and old colleagues were ever-present during WCQI through a variety of social events, the Braindate Quality Conversations Networking Lounge, and a hopping exhibit hall filled with more than 50 booths, including ASQ divisions and sections as well as the ASQ Center. Because we are a proud member of the ASQ family, a nine-member Exemplar Global delegation set up shop in the ASQ Center along with our colleagues.
Not far from the ASQ Center was an active podcasting booth, where Pablo Baez and yours truly recorded content for our All Things Quality and Exemplar Talks podcasts, featuring several high-profile guests. These episodes will be rolling out online in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
Time and again, attendees remarked about the benefits of interacting with others across the quality spectrum. These foundational connections, often built person-to-person before they are built organization-to-organization, help us all see that quality is a common requirement across industries. Yet the problems that sometimes arise preventing the achievement of continual improvement and ongoing excellence can be common as well. Having the opportunity to meet at WCQI helps quality professionals understand that a deep support system exists that they may not have previously experienced. ASQ exists to help them do their best possible work and keep fighting the good fight to be change agents and drive themselves and their organizations forward.
Keeping the momentum going
After the closing session wrapped and we all headed for home, there were a few key thoughts that immediately resonated.
First, everyone has an important story to tell. Falling into conversations with a wide variety of attendees, presenters, exhibitors, and colleagues, I realized that people’s individual professional experiences form a mosaic that, in some way, shape, or form, sheds light on other professionals’ work. We shouldn’t ever be afraid to talk about quality issues or concerns because it’s likely that someone else is dealing with a similar problem. Maybe they’ve already figured out something you need solved. Or perhaps your solution may help them. Share. Connect. Learn.
Second, leadership has never been more important. And when I say, “leadership,” I don’t necessarily mean the people in the corner offices. Of course, they’re important, too, but we all can and should lead in our way. The content at this year’s WCQI continually reinforced the old (but still absolutely relevant) notion that quality is everyone’s responsibility. We are all leaders of ourselves and our roles, and there is an incredible amount of information out there to help us lead the way to excellence in our own little corner of the world. And if you’re not using AI to help you and your organization be as efficient as possible, you’re missing the boat.
Finally, watch this space. ASQ and Exemplar Global have some fantastic content coming up in the second half of the year that can help you stay sharp and engaged. From live events and online Expos to webinars and podcasts, not to mention newsletters, blogs, and digital magazines, we strive to be a key source of information that you can trust.
It’s up to all of us to keep the momentum going and build on the lessons of WCQI. The world of quality and conformity assessment never stands still, and we can’t, either. Stay active, stay engaged, and challenge each other and yourselves to keep raising the bar and meeting the goals. Quality is a destination, not a journey—and WCQI 2026 reminded us that it’s a journey well worth taking.
About the author
Mike Richman is Exemplar Global’s Manager of Communications