by Michael Perry, Executive Director
Investment Casting Institute
Mark your calendars for the investment casting industry’s 12th World Conference & Expo. Attendees from around the world will be gathering at the Adams Mark Hotel in Dallas, Oct.19-22, 2008, for this premier industry event.
Convened only every four years, the World Conference last met in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has not come to the U.S. since 1996, when investment casters from around the world met in San Francisco. The World Conference, cosponsored by the Investment Casting Institute, BICTA (British Investment Casting Trade Association) and EICF (European Investment Casting Federation), will be the watershed event of 2008, coming at a time of dynamic changes in international markets. These changes continue to drive industry consolidation and global sourcing, making this a must attend, once-a-decade, event.
Because this is the only global metal-casting conference dedicated solely to investment casting, its relevance to the worldwide investment casting community is unmatched. Among the notable features of this event: It will be the first world conference equipment expo—and many pieces of equipment will be operating. For this reason, we expect the conference to be the biggest ever, with show-stopping demonstrations, exhibits of the latest technology on display—all targeted exclusively on investment casters. This aspect of the show alone is reason enough to attend, but the added benefits to foundries are many. For example, there will be approximately 20 papers, presenting not only new thinking by North American experts from industry and academia, but also the best thinking from leaders in emerging markets as well. These papers will touch upon new techniques, tools and tactics for cutting costs, operational strategies for reducing manufacturing cycle times, and installing process improvements to increase yields. The official call for papers will be issued in September. In addition to showcasing operating process and manufacturing equipment, the Equipment Expo will also exhibit raw materials, supplies and services for investment casters.
Investment casting suppliers will also benefit from attending and exhibiting at this venue. It is an investment casting event exclusively. No other industry gathering will attract so many investment casters to one place at the same time. This is a cost-effective opportunity to present the products and services investment casters can benefit from. It is a superb networking opportunity and for four days, suppliers will have a unique opportunity to meet casters from around the world.
Dallas, TX one of the most vibrant cities in America, will welcome the 2008 gathering. Its central location is convenient from any region of the country as well as being well connected for international flights. It is not an overstatement to say that investment casters will find no better place to learn all the things going on to advance the process. And suppliers will find no better opportunity to reach so many decision makers with a demonstration of their products and services.
Visit www.investmentcasting.org regularly for more information about this once-a-decade event and begin your planning process to take advantage of it. Start now to develop your plans and budget for the 2008 World Conference. This will insure that you take full advantage of this dynamic event. If you have any questions, contact Mike Perry at 201-573-9770 or mperry@investmentcasting.org.
