Conference attendees embrace new format.

Developed by the editors of Plastics Technology magazine, the all-new WPE Technical Conference Program featured three tracks intended to meet the design, processing and management needs of plastics professionals. Eighteen primary, in-depth sessions featured some 70 individual presentations on topics ranging from the basic "nuts and bolts" to complex technical issues.

Matt Naitove, chief editor of Plastics Technology, was instrumental in developing the three-track conference structure, selecting topics and arranging to schedule leading industry authorities as presenters.

"We came up with the conference structure of three parallel tracks on Design, Processing and Management in order to attract a varied audience," Naitove explained.

The WPE Conference Program drew a diverse audience that ran the gamut from project, design, process, product development and mechanical engineers to product, manufacturing, operations and purchasing managers to vice presidents, presidents and other upper management. And attendee reaction to this first-time, three-track format was very positive. Conference evaluations filled out by attendees indicated the new format was "informative." "provocative" and "very professional."

Jodie Laughlin, product manager for United Silicone, Inc., said she appreciated the efforts show and conference management made to arrange the on-site conferences. "Access to a collection of speakers on closely related topics of interest to me while attending a show is a great convenience," Laughlin said.

Robert Dailey, operations manager, Centerprises, thought the session he attended on "Advances in Injection Molding" was excellent. "The presentations were very good. The speakers were articulate and knowledgeable about their products," Dailey said.

Victor Von Mertens, purchasing manager, Plastics Plus Technology, attended the session on cost/quoting. He said, "The sessions were excellent. The presentations were to the point, with good visual aid support."

Conference programs for upcoming Plastics Fair events in Cleveland and Atlantic City will have a similar three-track format and will include sessions on applications specific to those markets. For example, sessions for the midwest regional show, June 23-25 in Cleveland, will pertain to the manufacturing, automotive and appliance sectors which predominate that region. "For the next Plastics Fair in Cleveland, we are planning sessions devoted to specific processes like injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming and compounding," Naitove explained.