Detroit Society hosts successful FOCUS Conference 2007.

The Detroit Society for Coatings Technology's FOCUS Conference 2007, held on Thursday, May 3, was considered by members to be a resounding success. More than 200 participants marked the 32nd anniversary of the all-day scientific/educational program. The theme of the Conference, held at the MSU Management Education Conference Center in Troy, MI, was "Global Challenges in Automotive Coatings."

Conference moderators responsible for keeping the dual track program on schedule were Jake Welland (Hyundai-Kia), Mark Nichols (Ford Motor Company), Doug Hart (General Motors Corporation), and Ted Provder (Eastern Michigan University).

Keynoter Francois Farion, of Nissan Design America, led off the Conference with his lively address on the respective impact and connotations of car body colors in various geographic, cultural, and demographic markets. He also offered insights as to how color designers read trends, tweak existing body-colors, and try to create the automotive body colors of the future.

Two tutorial short courses featured distinguished lecturers Monica Verma, automotive coatings specialist, speaking about "Coatings Formulation: Understanding the Building Blocks," and Matthew McGreer, Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC, presenting "Advanced Weathering Techniques for Prediction of Paint Performance."

In addition, 12 presentations covered subjects of interest to formulators, paint applicators, and end users. Several speakers addressed working in a global environment, covering such topics as environmental regulations, color, and problem solving. Other topics included nanoparticle dispersions, paint application, filtration in pretreatment, elastomeric coatings, weathering instrumentation, and waterborne cellulose ester technology.

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In a "University Showcase" session, speakers from Eastern Michigan University discussed instrumental studies of coatings properties, monitoring film formation by Adaptive Speckle Imaging Interferometry, and measuring corrosion behavior of water-based coatings ingredients using a combination of electrochemical techniques.

A Coatings Product Showcase featured the displays of 14 exhibitors, highlighting new products, coatings-related services, and educational offerings.

The Conference luncheon featured a "Lucky Drawing" with prizes of restaurant gift certificates.

FOCUS Conferences are the responsibility of the Detroit Society's Members at Large, together with other dedicated volunteers. Congratulations for a job well done to the organizing committee: Chairman Renee Shreves, Quaker Color; Rosemary Brady, Latoska Price, and Mike Jones (all from Akzo Nobel Coatings); Bernadette Colonna and Jim Jakubowski (both from Bayer Material-Science); Greg Filipowicz, Visteon; Chris Prather; Joe Lesnek, DaimlerChrysler; Joan Daye, Lubrizol; Monica Verma, coatings consultant; Gerald Grabowski, Baker & Collinson; Beverly Bruner, retired; David Greer, retired; Jeff Tish, Specialty Chemical Sales; Ron Andrus, Matrix Systems; and John Lawniczak, Eastman.

Planning for FOCUS 2008, scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2008, is already in progress. Contact Renee Shreves at [e-mail] if interested in participating. Visit the Detroit Society website at www.dsct.org for future updates.

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