ISA NEWS RELEASE
Contact:  Jennifer Infantino
(919) 990-9287
jinfantino@isa.org

ISA Announces Date for YAPFEST 2008

Research Triangle Park, NC (26 May 2008) - ISA will hold its third annual YAPFEST on 14 October in conjunction with ISA EXPO at the Reliant Center, Houston, Texas.
 
YAPFEST is a social gathering for young automation professionals and students who study engineering and other automation fields. The gathering offers free food and beverages; raffles for prizes, including an Alienware Notebook, MP3 Player, iPod, and Xbox games; musical entertainment; scholarship opportunities; and networking with potential employers. ASCO Numatics, the world's leading manufacturer of flow control and pneumatics solutions, will be presenting two scholarship awards.
Attendees will also receive a free conference session pass to ISA EXPO for the day of YAPFEST and a 50% off coupon for any ISA book that can be used at the bookstore at ISA EXPO.

In the previous two years, YAPFEST attracted over 200 attendees and has been a vehicle for students and automation professionals to identify employment opportunities and to learn about ISA's products and services, including membership.

Bernard Penney, ISA's Director of Marketing and Communications, views YAPFEST 2008 as a significant occasion for the next generation of automation professionals. "YAPFEST highlights ISA's workforce development efforts, as it brings students and young automation professionals together in a festive environment to learn more about the automation profession," said Penney.

Free registration for automation professionals and students, ages 18-30, is available online at www.isa.org/yapfest or by phone at (919) 549-8411. Companies are encouraged to invest in YAPFEST 2008 by sponsoring food, entertainment, and prizes. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.isa.org/yapfestsponsor or call Chris Johnson at (919) 990-9230.

About ISA

Founded in 1945, ISA (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).