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May 14-16, 2013. ASUG is the world’s largest independent SAP users’ group, made up of more than 130,000 individuals at 3,500 companies in over 17 industries across the SAP ecosystem. This was the combined ASUG annual conference and SAP show, dubbed SAPPHIRE NOW. The show played host to academic leaders committed to educating and empowering the next generation of business and technology leaders. Forums complemented learning campuses on Analytics, Business Networks, Cloud, Database and Technology, Industries and Lines of Business, and Mobile. At these campuses, delegates were able to learn how innovative solutions and technologies can help overcome key business hurdles, and transform a business. There were forum keynotes followed by presentations, microforums, demos, and discussion groups, and the chance to watch the day’s SAPPHIRE NOW executive keynote with industry colleagues. What’s that oozing noise? The sound of “SAP” rising…
April 14-17, 2013. The NAA is the Newspaper Association of America, and their conference goes by the name of NAA MediaXchange. Some revolutionary ideas were tabled, such as “Newspapers should do away with the notion of circulation departments, and instead recast the divisions working to distribute and sell their products as audience development”. There was a Youth Engagement Symposium, addressing the industry’s concern that young people have very little appetite for newspapers, or indeed news itself in the conventional sense, (leaving aside hot stories like Justin Bieber fans assaulting their idol on-stage). “When it comes to engaging youth, being accessible and relevant are key”, we heard. “Most newspapers have already adapted to the new model of delivering news through digital and mobile platforms. Being in front of younger audiences is critical, but keeping them interested and providing them with pertinent information is not always easy”. Oh look, a skate-boarding chipmunk…!
April 7-11, 2013. ARDA stands for the American Resort Development Association, and its big focus seems to be timeshare. This is the trade association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries (i.e. timeshares in ordinary parlance). ARDA has almost 1,000 corporate members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded corporations with extensive experience in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, suppliers, and consultants; as well as owners, through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition. The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) offers professional and educational development through publications covering the industry’s ethical, legal, regulatory, and operational intricacies; study courses; and tests that assess industry knowledge. Market intelligence recognizes no “black dates”, apparently…
April 7-11, 2013. CLMA is the Clinical Laboratory Management Association, an international association of nearly 3,000 clinical laboratory professionals. CLMA provides leadership in the clinical laboratory industry, supporting laboratory professionals at any stage of their career. The association educates and advocates on behalf of members, and plays a leadership role in enhancing the image and increasing the visibility of the laboratory management profession. Education is a big focus, with courses like the Fundamentals of Laboratory Leadership course, a new addition to CLMA’s professional development program, with content customized for new laboratory leaders within their first three years. With class size limited to maximize learning, the Fundamentals of Laboratory Leadership helps to enhance participants’ leadership capability and develop the skills and competencies required to successfully lead the operations of a clinical laboratory. And no, since you ask, freshmen students are not referred to as “lab-rats”…
April 9-11, 2013. ICE in this case stands for the International Converting Exhibition, a congregation of buyers and decision-makers from companies who convert and process flexible web based materials. According to Paper Film Foil Converter, which covers the industry, “The innovation of gearless technology has transformed converting machinery. Converter customers distribute their products worldwide and their suppliers – regardless of their geographic location – must be qualitatively and cost-effectively competitive”. Because technology is now globally available, the rise of emerging economies poses a greater competitive threat than in years past. Where US converters stand today is in a struggle to maintain their customer base while remaining profitable and innovative. Their competitors are no longer located across the city, the next state, or even the next country but can be on other continents. The challenge is how they address globalization, and their ability to remain innovative and competitive. Converted yet?
March 12-14, 2013. This was the Pensions and Investments East Coast Defined Contribution Conference. The show gathered the experts in the fields of investments, plan design, and communications to discuss changes in the industry and offer time-tested strategies that could help make informed decisions for a pension plan, and succeed in providing an adequate retirement income for the plan’s participants. In all there were 470 participants, 59 presenters, 19 sponsors and 30 exhibitors. In his keynote, Harvard University economics professor David Laibson spoke at DC East Conference and discussed why retirement savings accounts are still not working, including low contribution rates and “leakage” He also offered strategies to overcome some of those pension-sapping issues. Turns out some older ideas now need to be “pensioned off”…
March 17-21, 2013. It’s about corrosion. NACE International is the leader in the corrosion control community, and is recognized worldwide as the premier authority for corrosion solutions. NACE International’s Conference and Exposition, CORROSION 2013, brought together more than 6,000 leaders from industry, government and academia who convened to discuss the latest technologies and issues, and make decisions on the most effective means of corrosion prevention. 375 exhibitors displayed the latest corrosion control technologies, along with 6,000 attendees from 69 countries. Over 71% of attendees apparently recommend or specify the purchase of products and services. So the 370 Exhibitors on the vast 80,000 sq. ft. show floor were kept pretty busy. There was much discussion about the latest technology and research being developed in the corrosion field. If it’s corrosive, these guys have their eye on it…
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