By SHAUNICA JAYSON, ABMA
Venturing north of the border for the very first time for its annual Summer Meeting, the American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) will convene at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in beautiful British Columbia, June 23-26.
Attendees will learn about current and emerging industry trends and provide networking opportunities for members to enhance and grow their existing business relationships. In May, ABMA confirmed that its keynote speakers for this special event will be Dr. John Grotzinger, chief scientist and lead strategic science planner for NASA’s $2.5 billon Curiosity rover mission to Mars, the most complex spacecraft to ever land and operate on another planet; and the Pike Place Fishmongers, the inspirational and innovative crew that shares the team-building secrets behind the nationally renowned success of Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market.
"We are excited for our members to hear from these very different speakers about their separate paths to excellence and success in their chosen fields," said ABMA President Scott Lynch. "We know attendees will be as fascinated by these stories and presentations as they are motivated to use their lessons.
In between the Fishmongers and Dr. Grotzinger, a stellar array of engaging speakers will address a variety of compelling industry topics. Subjects include The Importance of Proper Water Chemistry in Rentals; The Supply Chain of Workers Compensation (and How to Use It to Your Advantage); Cybersecurity for Control Systems; 2023 Changes to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code/International Codes; and Alternative Fuels for Packaged Boilers.
Holdover momentum
The summer meeting will build on the momentum gained in mid-April at ABMA's revived Manufacturers Conference (MC2023), the group's first such event since in 2018. Held at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.
Focused on middle managers and those entering leadership at their companies, MC2023 this spring featured presentations on such topics as peer collaboration, streamlining operations, improving profitability, reducing NOx, advancing energy sustainability and adapting next-generation technology.
Chicago's own legendary improv group, Second City Works, also added entertainment and education to the proceedings, facilitating more collaboration and team-building exercises for our attending manufacturers. Other highlights of that event included successful tours at 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 in Elk Grove Village IL.
For more on both meetings, visit www.abma.com.