Rookies and Vets Have Different Show Expectations
Though COMPOSITES 2010 is just getting underway, the halls are abuzz with a variety of industry professionals, each with their own agendas for maximizing their convention experience.
Many attendees have a sense of what they want to find when they arrive. William Sanders, president of Alamo Marble, was looking for up-to-date quality control processes. He found some of that in the Gel Coat: Quality Starts Here session. “We had a problem pertaining to hazing in the gel coat on a vertical surface, and we got some valuable insight on how to address the problem,” he says.
There many attendees, like David M. Groner, president of Clarion Bathware, who make the ACMA convention an annual event. “I’ve been coming here for ten years now, and I always learn something that’s worth the price of admission,” he says. This year, the company is paying attention to mold building materials and dust mitigation. Clarion is a small manufacturer, and Groner says the convention provides the opportunity he needs to maintain contacts and maximize the company’s industry exposure.
On the other hand, there are some fresh face attendees as well. Cabot Corporation produces silicas and black pigments for composite applications, and Regional Market Manager James Brown says his main focus at the show will be to learn more about the industry and find ways to meet their customers’ needs. “We’re coming in with an open mind, and we’ll just absorb as much as we can,” he says. Another company, M9 Defense, is also here for the first time and looking to expand its composites operations with a composite forming technology. Originally developed for the defense industry, CEO Brace Barber seeks to apply the process in the civilian sector. “There’s so much about the industry we’re unaware of, so this is a great learning opportunity for us.”
Other companies hope the show can provide insights on how to successfully diversify their businesses. Five Star Fabricating, which primarily focuses on manufacturing composite race car bodies, is hoping to expand into wind energy and ballistics. Engineering Manager Jim Katzenberg says being exposed to a variety of markets is the best way to aid in this process. In an effort to stay abreast of industry news, Katzenberg states , “If you’re not going to where all the people gather, you’ll fall behind quickly.”
Ultimately, this year’s gathering will help the industry as a whole, according to composites consultant Bob Lacovara. “Everyone will be able to get a good handle on regulatory issues and learn the tools they need to put in place for when the economy turns around,” he says.
COMPOSITES 2010: Discover the Future of Composites Today. February 9-11. Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.www.acmashow.org
