Industry professionals are gearing up for the Adhesive and Sealant Council’s (ASC) 2011 Spring Convention & Expo, which will take place April 17-19 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina in Tampa, FL. More than 450 visitors from a variety of sectors are expected to attend, and this year’s program has several exciting events in store.
Hear from the Experts
Three designated keynote speakers make up a major highlight of the program schedule. Each speaker will bring a valuable perspective to the overall conversation about hot topics and trends for the adhesives and sealants industry. During the opening general session breakfast on Monday, April 18, Clearview Economics President Ken Mayland will present an overview of the predicted economic recovery in 2011. In addition, Coca-Cola will be represented at the ASC Conference for the first time by Maury Zimring, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability manager. Coca-Cola’s agenda for sustainable packaging will be the discussion topic for the general session breakfast on Tuesday.Finally, David Crowe, Ph.D., chief economist and senior vice president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), will discuss the economic forecast for the housing industry-one of the major market sectors for any manufacturer or supplier of adhesives and sealants. “Connecting industry professionals with experts who can shed light on the economic conditions and leading market segment indicators is essential,” says Glenn Frommer, ASC chairman and president of ADCO Products Inc.
Discover the Latest News and Technology
Another notable aspect of the ASC Spring Convention will be the industry-centered educational sessions. “For the spring convention, the ASC Program Committee wanted to build on the success of a revamped educational program that was introduced last fall,” explains Matt Croson, ASC’s president. “Many of the educational sessions have a customer-centric focus to incorporate the entire supply chain.”Meaningful and informative sessions-45 in all-will be split into morning and afternoon segments. These segments will be further divided into three topical education tracks: Business Development, Technical and Government Regulations, and New Technology and Application. “Responding to industry needs, a large focus on raw materials will be offered,” says Croson. “ASC is bringing in raw materials experts to analyze and report on trends since raw materials, availability, pricing, etc. are hot topics for ASC members and the industry at large these days.” Specific topics covered during the educational sessions will include formulation, safety, research, wind energy, building and construction, small business, international markets, and more.
The Hot Melts Short Course will be offered as part of the educational program again this year. Chemists, engineers, and marketing and sales professionals will all benefit from this two-day course, which will focus on hot-melt adhesive development, handling, and performance. Attendees will learn how to devise a suitable hot-melt formula to meet specific customer needs, and the course will be taught by experts in a range of relevant market sectors, including electronics, packaging, and automotive.
Network with Other Professionals
The ASC Expo will provide an outstanding networking opportunity from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, April 18. Definitive “expo-only” hours will increase traffic and allow attendees a better chance of interaction. “The ASC Expo has already sold out, which is an extremely positive economic indicator,” says Croson. “Exhibitors are excited to showcase their latest products and innovations.”Some of the premier suppliers, distributors and manufacturers in the industry will be present for the event. An Exhibitor Appreciation Reception will be held during the Expo hours, and attendees will have a chance to win prizes; PoGo printer bundles, digital cameras, Apple iPods and Amazon Kindles will all be raffled off.
Additional networking opportunities during ASC’s Spring Convention & Expo will include the opening and closing receptions, as well as a handful of special interest and committee meetings. The spring golf outing, which will be open to a limited number of registrants, will take place at Innisbrook Resort on Sunday, April 17.
For additional details, visit www.ascouncil.org.
ASC Spring Convention General Program
SUNDAY, APRIL 17
Hot Melts Short Course (registrants only)
7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Golf Outing at Innisbrook Golf Resort
8:00a.m.-2:00 p.m.
First-Time Attendees & New Members Reception (invitation only)
5:30-6:00 p.m.
Bayer MaterialScience Welcome Reception
6:00-8:00 p.m.
MONDAY, APRIL 18
Petro Canada Opening General Breakfast: Has the Recovery Picked Up Its Tempo AND Confronting the Challenges of Inflation?
7:30-9:00 a.m.
Hot Melts Short Course (registrants only)
7:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Morning Education Sessions
9:15 a.m. to noon
Lunch On Your Own
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Education Sessions
1:15-4:30 p.m.
ASC Expo and Exhibitor Appreciation Reception
4:00-7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY, APRIL 19General Session Breakfast: Coca-Cola Agenda on Environmental Sustainability
7:30-9:00 a.m.
Morning Education Sessions
9:15 a.m. to noon
General Session Lunch: Where is the Chemical Adhesive and Sealant Sector Going? (Dr. David Crowe)
Noon to 1:15 p.m.
ASC Committee and Special Interest Meetings
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Afternoon Education Sessions
2:45-4:15 p.m.
Closing Session: The Compostable Sunchips Bag - a New Arena for PepsiCo
4:30-5:30 p.m
Closing Reception
5:30-6:30 p.m.
