The Electrocoat Conference is a dynamic event presented by Products Finishing and the Elec-trocoat Association. It offers conference sessions covering the latest advancements in electrocoating, along withexhibitor rooms that showcase new products and allow attendees opportunities to interact with the foremost experts in the industry. The event occurs in the Spring of even numbered years, and typically attracts an audience between 300 and 450 attendees.

Back to Its Roots
Through the results of attendee surveys and the Steering Committee’s feedback, the Electrocoat Conference has implemented a number of changes to this year’s event. The first change is a very obvious one—the location of the event has moved from Orlando, FL back to its roots in the Midwest, Indianapolis, IN.

Since the majority of electrocoating happens in the Midwest, organizers decided it was time to bring the event to its attendee base. “Everybody likes to visit Florida, but it can be difficult for people to justify the travel expense and time away from the office,” says Karen McGlothlin, Executive Director of the Electrocoat Association. “Indianapolis in May is a great city with a lot to offer, and we’re anticipating more attendees will be able to come to the event if it’s closer to home.”

In addition to its new location, the Conference will also offer more choice to attendees than ever before. There are concurrent tracks and workshops that attendees can mix and match to their preference, along with keynote speakers addressing current business trends.

Don’t Miss...
Electrocoat 2008’s open forum. Save your questions and comments for an interactive panel discussion with coaters, paint suppliers and pretreatment suppliers. The interactive panel will build on this year’s lean and green theme. Building on this year’s “lean and green” theme, the panel discussion will give audience members an opportunity to share successes and trials, cost-cutting measures and lean manufacturing methods.

Networking Opportunity
Whoever said, “It’s not what you know, but who you know that makes the difference,” was getting it at least half right. Before you spend three days beefing up your E-coat knowledge, rub shoulders with industry peers at the Members Only Reception 7–9 p.m., Tuesday, May 13 at the Indianapolis Marriott. Enjoy good food and interesting conversation while meeting the movers and shakers in your industry.

Exhibit Rooms
One of the components that make this event so unique is the exhibit rooms, formerly known as hospitality suites. During the afternoon of the first and second days, attendees will visit companies’ individual exhibit rooms to see the new products they have on display. At night, these exhibit rooms turn into hospitality suites with food, cocktails and networking opportunities.

This year there will also be a table-top exhibit room. This set-up offers a non-threatening, intimate venue for suppliers to further brand their company and have direct contact with their customers and prospects.

Speaking of E-Coat...
From big pictures of Asia and the U.S. economy to the specifics of your shop floor, you won’t want to miss this year’s keynote lineup

It’s the Economy, Stupid.
On Wednesday, May 14, Dr. M. Ray Perryman, of The Perryman Group (Waco, TX), will present The Economy: Today’s Overview and Tomorrow’s Outlook.

In this timely talk, Perryman, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential economists, plans to dicsuss how the U.S. economy continues to expand even in the face of ongoing challenges.

Aerospace, chemicals, electrical equipment and machinery remain on solid footing, he says. And his company’s latest forecast indicates that the reasonable momentum will likely be sustained over the short-term horizon and beyond.

Yes, fears of a recession are mounting, says Perryman, but underlying strength in many key sectors should keep the U.S. on a modest expansion path.

Concerned about the economy?
Aerospace, chemicals, electrical equipment and machinery remain on solid footing, according to Wednesday’s keynote speaker, Dr. M. Ray Perryman.

Think Global
With all eyes on Asian manufacturing in recent months, Thursday’s keynote speaker, Viktor Sekmakas, of PPG Industries, will be particularly relevant.

On May 15, Sekmakas will present Global Considerations for E-coat, examining the growth of electrocoat in Asia over the past 10 years and its future in this dynamic region of the world, along with challenges for growth, including language, culture, technology, and environmental issues.

Sekmakas joined PPG in 1997 as Market Development Manager for Industrial coatings and moved to the Asia/Pacific region in 2001, becoming Managing Director, Coatings, and General Manager, Industrial coatings, Asia, in 2005. In 2006, he was named Vice President, Coatings and Managing Director, Asia/Pacific.”

Hone your Global Knowledge:
Which Asian country has approximately 460 million mobile phones in use?
Which country has almost 360 million people younger than 15 years of age?
Which Asian countries still have over 40% of their labor force engaged in agriculture?
What are some market segments using E-coat that are concentrated in Asia?
(Hint: The answers are at Viktor Sekmakas’ keynote presentation)

Did you know?
90 – 98% of the results from lean events fail long term. Learn from Matt Kirchner how to make your efforts last.

Make it Last
Wrapping up the conference on Friday, May 16, Matt Kirchner will deliver his talk, The Toughest “S”—Sustaining Change in a Lean Surface Finishing Culture.

“By the time I speak,” says Kirchner, “people at this conference will have spent a couple of days learning about lean manufacturing, but if you don’t know how to sustain those changes you’ve just wasted money.”

Kirchner is the new CEO of American Finishing Resource, LLC, a finisher based in Chilton, WI. He’s a licensed CPA in the state of Wisconsin, a member of the Association for Corporate Growth, and a member of The Executive Committee. He’s the past President of the Milwaukee Branch of the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society and is the author of “Never Finished” Products Finishing’s regular management column.

“Ninety to 98% of the results from lean events fail long term, and the reason for that is that you get all the exciting first parts of change and then when you go onto something else, all of those old habits creep back in unless you have a plan to prevent that from happening.”