By SHAUNICA JAYSON, American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Back after more than four years, ABMA's popular Manufacturers Conference (MC) returns for the first time since 2018 this April 11-13 at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.
MC2023 is a unique event for the boiler industry focused on middle managers and those entering the leadership within their companies. The Manufacturers Conference is known for sharing a range of content to broaden the attendees’ knowledge of the boiler industry and it offers a memorable, hands-on experience with ABMA member company manufacturing tours.
- Learn what's coming for manufacturing in the boiler industry!
This event also brings together a diversified representation from the industry with a new emphasis on markets, worker recruitment, potential new environmental regulations, industry challenges, and marketing tools.
Conference highlights include:
- Peer-Collaboration
- Technical Sessions
- ABMA Member Plant Tours
- End-User Tour
Who Attends?
- C-level Executives
- Product Managers
- Sales Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Engineers
Open to both ABMA Members and non-members, MC2023 offers attendees an educational experience on critical issues and concerns presently facing the boiler industry. At press time, ABMA was excited to announce this initial list of confirmed presentations and speakers, focused on compelling topics pertinent to the boiler industry. More topics will be added in the coming weeks.
- Achieving Lower NOx: End-User Demand & Regulatory Requirements – Steve Sock, ClearSign Technologies Corp.;
- Mobile Boiler Market: Uniqueness and Challenges – Michael Pfeiler, Wabash Power Equipment Co.;
- It’s Not Just A Boiler, It’s A Boiler Room – Aaron Zoeller, SCC, Inc.;
- Advanced Energy Sustainability with Boiler Technology – Marc Dupuis, Vapor Power Int'l, LLC & Alan Chmiel, R.W. Beckett Corp.;
- Opportunities for Boiler Industry Engagement with NBBI – Joel Amato, The National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors;
- Going to Market in Today’s Boiler-Burner Industry – Jason Howard, Power Flame Inc.
MC2023 also includes facility tours of ABMA members SCC, Inc. and Vapor Power International, as well as an End-User Tour of the boiler room at AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center. That optional, end-user boiler room tour during the conference will offer attendees the opportunity to see how a hospital system addresses its steam and hot water needs.
The hospital tour will navigate participants through the entire boiler room to include three, 700 HP steam boilers with a PLC-based combustion & burner management system, deaerator with a total capacity of 60,000 PPH and storage tank with a total capacity of 1,400 gallons to overflow including a PLC-based control system, and condensate surge tank with a total capacity of 2,000 gallons. The boiler room is complete with a blowdown separator and blowdown heat recovery system.
Featured general sessions
On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 11, ABMA will kick off MC2023 with an opening keynote presentation by Joe Shake, CFO and Principal of ProCFO Partners on creating and achieving professional goals with organizational alignment and focus. A financial executive with over 30 years experience in leadership roles across a variety of industries, Shake will offer his insights and expertise gained from having led multiple small to mid-size organizations throughout his career.
Linking sales and operations so they work in tandem, he specializes in turning businesses around to help them go from losing money to achieving profitable revenue growth.
The final day of MC2023, Thursday, April 13, will feature a closing keynote presented by The Second City Works, an offshoot of the renowned Chicago comedy troupe. Using the improv methods pioneered on local Second City stages, the performers help people and companies to improve business results and team building. Their humorous and engaging presentation combines interactive exercises, facilitated debriefs, and practical applications that help to get people excited about learning.
That firsthand experience helps participants internalize better ways to communicate, collaborate, and innovate — all while building comfort with risk and change.
A complete listing of sessions and program highlights can be found on our website at ABMA.com/manufacturers-conference.