Paper summit pulls industry together.

The word "summit" has two definitions, and the 2004 Paper Summit exemplifies them both. The first definition--"the top; the highest point or degree"--describes the technical expertise and careful planning that have contributed to this year's outstanding educational program. The second definition--"a meeting among leaders"--reflects the fact that this is an event planned for professionals, by professionals, to bring real results, Pulp and paper industry professionals interested in improving their operations or their bottom lines can't afford to miss it.

Longview Fibre Corporation's Paul L. Whiting, senior technical engineer, has attended TAPPI-sponsored programs for the past five years. "Over the years, I have been able to take what I have learned back to the mill and have helped implement changes improving the mill's quality and efficiency," he said, "I highly recommend attending." Paper Summit is scheduled for May 2-5, 2004 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

The Exhibit at Paper Summit (May 3-5) offers many attendees reason enough to make the trip. The latest technology and innovations from hundreds of suppliers fill more than 40,000 square feet of exhibit space. As a bonus, the New Technology Showcases highlight the industry's newest advances while the Environmental and Energy Pavilions on the show floor help attendees quickly find the information they need. Admission for one, two or three days is free.

Yet the Exhibit is only part of the story. Paper Summit represents several separate events brought together under one umbrella, offering attendees the rare opportunity to meet all their educational needs--including continuing education, industry updates, new technology information, and networking with peers and suppliers--with the minimum investment. (See boxed information throughout this article for more program details.)

This year's Spring Technical Conference program highlights process efficiency and cost optimization. Also, the industry's environmental professionals will gather to discuss alternative compliance programs, what's new with MACT, the latest in innovative control technology, alternate uses of residuals, and much more at the 2004 International Environmental Conference.

STAYING ON TRACK

All told, the combined Paper Summit events offer seven program tracks; registrants are free to move between tracks or to focus exclusively on their area of greatest interest. Three additional tracks, focused by job category, are available through the Mill VIP Program especially developed for paper company employees (see box.) Regular program tracks include.

* Innovations

* Product Performance

* People and Infrastructure

* Manufacturing Excellence

* Environmental

* Maintenance and Reliability

* U.S. Department of Energy Agenda 2020 R & D

Willard "Skeeter" Reed, senior process control engineer for Weyerhaeuser Co., Pine Hill, Alabama, USA helped to pull together the Innovations track. "We hope to make participants aware of new technologies and practices that can help their mills, or companies, be more successful," he said. "Those who attend these sessions will go back to their companies with ideas that can make their operations, or customers, more profitable by being armed with the latest information. In this highly competitive industry, we must strive to reduce costs and become more efficient and effective."

According to Reed, Innovations track highlights will include "something for everyone involved" in paper mill technology, with sessions focused on refining, forming, pressing and drying. "For example, in the Water Removal session, we will discuss press optimization and performance improvements, as well as a new dryer design. The Advanced Control session will focus on the use of Model Predictive Control, which can have a big impact on our paper mill processes. This group of sessions will help you identify new approaches that can impact your mill. Areas from process control to additives to forming will be discussed with application on all grades of paper and board."

Like all of the Technical Program tracks. Innovations has been built around solutions-based content. "One attendee could go back to the mill and troubleshoot a shoe-press problem. Another attendee might implement an advanced control project to coordinate refining controls in the stock prep area. If a mill is considering a new headbox, there is a session that could help in the specification and justification. These are only a few examples," said Reed.

Aimed at process and mill engineers, the Product Performance track is another area focused on real-world results, said Nancy Ross Sutherland, supervisory general engineer for the USDA Forest Service in Madison, Wisconsin. "Our intent is to help attendees improve product performance through a greater understanding of testing control and product characteristics," she said. "For example, we will be having an in-depth tutorial, 'Critical Characteristics of Paper: Shade and Appearance,' in which attendees will learn about the coloring process, the challenges of color control applications, and about different color measurements. In one session, new approaches to measure and control properties within the mill will be presented, and another session will discuss online vs. offline testing from equipment manufacturer and mill operator perspectives."

The Manufacturing Excellence track will speak straight to "papermaking's bottom line," promised Martin Hubbe, associate professor at North Carolina State University "Excellence in what we do--the manufacture of paper--is key to our success," he said. "The Manufacturing Excellence track will focus on process efficiency, cost optimization, and how to consistently make a product that meets your customer's needs. Excellence in manufacturing also involves waste minimization, energy savings, and excellence in the way control systems are used." Hubbe reported that this year's "hot" topics include energy-reduction measures, optimization of flow-approach systems in paper machines, and efficient use of key pieces of equipment.

GROUP EFFORT

Because Paper Summit offers both a large exhibit and a comprehensive technical program, networking is a big component of the experience for attendees. "Paper Summit is an enriching and rewarding experience," commented Robert A. Gill, senior scientist, papermaking applications for Specialty Minerals Inc. "Not only do you get to hear about the latest and greatest technology in the paper industry, you also have a chance to network with colleagues you haven't seen in a while. It's an excellent forum to exchange ideas with your peers and suppliers."

Multiple attendees from the same mill location receive registration discounts if they register at the same time. Plus, the conference also features roundtable discussions, expert panels, tutorials, posters, and a new technology showcase, all designed to spark the exchange of ideas. "Our goal is to introduce something new--the track concept--and still provide what time-stressed professionals have come to depend on from a technical conference: a way to catch up on a great deal of information in a hurry," said Hubbe.

Paper Summit program planners have tried to offer something for the entire field of paper professionals, from executives to mill operators, but those with the following job areas might find Paper Summit events of particular value:

* VP of manufacturing, R & D, or engineering

* Mill superintendent or assistant mill superintendent

* Department manager

* Chemist

* Chief engineer

* Plant, maintenance, development, power plant, chemical, or process engineer

* Mill foreman

* Tour or shift boss

* Key production and technical personnel

"There is a tremendous amount of information that can be used to improve your company's bottom-line," said Weyerhaeuser's Reed. "Take advantage of it, because your competition is going to do so."

IN THIS ARTICLE, YOU WILL LEARN:

* The separate events that combine to form Paper Summit.

* Content areas addressed in the Technical Conference program.

* Who should attend Paper Summit.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

* View the entire technical program--including abstracts of each paper--online: www.papersummit.org/spring.asp.

* Request a copy of the program: [e-mail].

Editor's note: More up-to-the-minute Paper Summit information--including highlights of the Environmental track, the People and Infrastructure track, and the Maintenance and Reliability track--will be available in Part 2 of this article, which will be published in next month's issue (April 2004.)

RELATED ARTICLE: PAPER SUMMIT EVENTS

Paper Summit attendees can choose from a full menu of events addressing every aspect of improving their operations and their industry. Most events will run at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, May 2-5 (check updated program information for specific event locations).

Paper Summit registrants can choose to take part in any or all of the following events:

TAPPI SPRING TECHNICAL AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE: Educational programming comprising 200 presentations, plus demonstrations, workshops and more. The International Environmental Conference has joined TAPPI's Spring Technical Conference at Paper Summit. Cosponsored by PAPTAC, the environmental track addresses important environmental concerns in three concurrent sessions throughout the program.

THE EXHIBIT AT PAPER SUMMIT: 200 + exhibitors occupying 40,000 square feet of exhibit space. The Exhibit includes main floor Energy and Environmental Pavilions, product demonstrations, and a New Technology Showcase.

MILL VIP PROGRAM: A free program track for pulp and paper manufacturing employees that offers lunch vouchers, transportation reimbursement and more (see VIP program information below).

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY OF THE FUTURE: an educational track presenting results and emerging technology opportunities from more than 40 DOE cost-shared research projects.

TAPPI ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY: Includes the presentation of the prestigious Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal and the Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award.

RELATED ARTICLE: MILL VIP PROGRAM GIVES PAPER COMPANY EMPLOYEES A FREE RIDE

Think there's no such thing as a free lunch? Paper Summit's Mill VIP Program offers an unsurpassed opportunity to provide educational programming for no cost to mill employees--and even throws in lunch and, for those within a 250 mile radius of Atlanta, a ride to the event.

The Mill VIP program is complimentary for all employees of pulp and paper companies, whether working at mill locations or corporate headquarters. Three customized program tracks meet the needs of every level of mill employee.

In addition to Mill VIP content designed exclusively for pulp and paper manufacturing company employees, every Mill VIP can:

* Attend the Exhibit: Interact with more than 200 exhibitors showing the equipment and services mills need to stay competitive.

* Participate in the New Technology Showcase. An easy way to determine where to start when researching the latest developments.

* Attend the TAPPI Spring Technical Conference free Bonus Track, People and Infrastructure, which includes an important "State of the Industry" address

* Avoid long lines by using the special Mill VIP registration area

* Receive vouchers for a free lunch as a Mill VIP registrant 

TAPPI will reimburse the cost of renting a vehicle and the gas for round trip from any manufacturing company site within 250 miles of Atlanta, Just e-mail [e-mail] with a list of the names and titles of those attending and an estimate of the dollar amount to be reimbursed.

MILL VIP PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

Management Track:

* Mill Managers Roundtable

* Workplace Transformation

* Alternative Energy Sources

OPERATOR TRACK:

* Economics 101 for Papermaking

* Product and Process Testing Workshop

* Systematic Trouble Shooting for Frontline Employees

SUPERINTENDENT TRACK:

* Systematic Trouble Shooting for Mill Superintendents

* The Art of Leadership

* Felt Selection and Maximizing Felt Performance

RELATED ARTICLE: TAPPI TECHNICAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

With program tracks to satisfy every training need, the TAPPI Spring Technical and International Environmental Conference at Paper Summit offers a content-rich experience focused on information that attendees can immediately put into practice "back at the mill." Attendees can choose from more than 60 different sessions over the three-day event; here's a closer look at just a few:

SESSION 8: Advances in Filler Technology--Topics include Calcium Carbonate Composite Fillers, this paper has been withdrawn, and Novel Silicate Fibrous Fillers. Experts present research that includes handsheet tests and pilot plant trials. Discover how to get the most from new filler advancements that improve optical properties.

SESSION 11: Revitalizing the Industry--Includes a "state of the industry" address by James McNutt of the Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies, as well as presentations on Price Behavior in the Paper Industry, Biotechnology Objectives, and the Societal Impacts of New Recovery Systems.

SESSION 38: Improving Paper Machine Performance--Technology advances in paper machine design have resulted in machines that are wider and faster, capable of producing better quality as well as unique new products. Take a look at the modem paper machine on a grade-by-grade basis, leam the importance of achieving benchmark threading performance, and examine two-drum winder torque control in this session.

JANICE BOTTIGLIERI, SENIOR EDITOR