8 October 2009

New ISA conference 'all about knowledge'

By Ellen Fussell Policastro

Building the knowledge of professionals in the automation industry is what ISA does best. And that skill is exactly what ISA leaders are hoping to build on as they announced ISA Automation Week for 2010 on Wednesday.

The knowledge-based event will replace ISA EXPO, but it will continue to cater to automation and control professionals who are serious about improving job performance. The focus for attendees will be to learn and network with key industry leaders, finding solutions to pressing manufacturing and process problems.

“We’re trying to turn the exposition model upside down and build around a technology networking event that will allow for dissemination of information,” said ISA’s Executive Director Patrick Gouhin.

“It’s all about knowledge,” said ISA President Jerry Cockrell. “ISA is a knowledge society. We have 30,000 members, and we train, we educate, we run seminars and symposia, we have standards, books, educational programs—all our property and everything we disseminate is based on knowledge.

“Maybe we’ll entice students with the new program, and they’ll bring instructors,” Cockrell said. “That’s going to infuse this whole event with some excitement and perspective. I think with the quality of the presentations, you’ll bring in people you don’t typically bring in. We’re trying to increase the knowledge with ISA Automation Week,” he said.

Nelson Ninin, president of Yokogawa Brazil and ISA’s 2010 president-elect, brings his exhibitor/supplier viewpoint to the table. “This combination of education and conference is what the market is looking for—upgrades in knowledge and application,” he said.

Exclusivity equals value

“A big part of the value is exclusivity,” Gouhin said. “We’re trying to bring in a higher quality of overall attendees that can have a more exclusive relationship with those exhibitors to build more partnerships. We’ll look for every opportunity to tighten that up on both sides. It’s all about the knowledge and sharing that takes place.”

A limited number of supplier displays will complement the educational aspect of the event by providing an opportunity for conference attendees to network with suppliers during breakfasts, lunches, coffee breaks, and evening receptions.

“All the details haven’t been worked out yet,” Gouhin said. “We want to build it based on industry demand.”
ISA Automation Week 2010 will be held in the Westin Galleria Complex in Houston, 4-7 October 2010. For more information, visit www.isa.org.