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World Cement
papers, tutorial, and training sessions, as well as
panel discussions. This information, generated by
cement producer companies, equipment suppliers,
and contractors, provides a current viewpoint of the
cement industry.
Through these considerations, the conferences
provide an opportunity for all segments of the
cement industry to participate in the stated goal.
This includes corporate and plant management,
procurement, operations, and engineering,
allowing for a ‘one stop’ forum. There is no other
conference that provides this for the industry.
Some of the key features and developments over
the past ten years include:
z
The PCA and CIC have developed a closer and
coordinated working relationship to bring
current issues and technology to the industry.
z
The conference was instrumental in informing
cement producers and others about how to
meet the latest, very strict environmental
regulations.
z
The conference programme was modified to
provide more content, allowing the attendees
more options for training and knowledge
attainment.
z
The CIC has instituted a young professional
training and process training programme into
the conference.
z
The CIC developed a student programme
with ‘Cement 101’, including plant tours and
discussions with operating personnel.
z
The CIC also has established a young
professionals committee to determine what the
younger generations want in a conference and
focus on attracting young professionals to the
industry and conference.
New to the 2018 conference, the PCA has
created a programme, where new attendees, those
who had not previously attended the conference,
receive a stipend covering most of the costs related
to the conference. The programme extends the
stipend to as many as 15 attendees.
The conference today
The time spent planning by the co-sponsors has
allowed the four-day annual national conference to
evolve in the following manner.
Sunday evening is the unofficial start of the
conference, with the opening of the Exhibit Hall,
featuring approximately 160 suppliers and vendors
to the cement industry. From there, the Exhibit
Hall is open periodically over the first two days of
the conference, including lunches and receptions,
allowing ample time for the attendees to visit with
exhibitors.
Monday features key PCA committee meetings
at the conference, including the Environment
and Energy Committee, the Occupational Health
and Safety Committee, and the Manufacturing
Technical Committee. This Spring meeting,
co-located with the CIC’s conference, allows cement
producers and industry suppliers a chance to
further their knowledge and develop relationships.
During this same day, the CIC sponsors training
and tutorial sessions, including a Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA) refresher course.
These sessions vary in length and are presented
by various industry experts and provide direct
participation for attendees.
Tuesday starts the portion technical
presentations sponsored by the six working
groups, as prepared by industry professionals.
In addition, the PCA plays a vital role through
industry outlooks, as well as technical content
pertaining to manufacturing. Likewise, the CIC has
a one-day programme of technical presentations
and panel discussions.
Wednesday continues with the technical
sessions and concludes with a conference-ending
Awards Banquet, recognising the highest scoring
technical presentations, as determined under IEEE
guidelines.
Thursday typically includes a plant tour hosted
by a PCA member company, showcasing a recently
constructed or newly-modified plant. However,
in conference locations not in close proximity to
a portland cement plant, tours of other highly
technical manufacturing plants may be offered.
During the past ten years, over 200 technical
papers have been published by industry journals
and the IEEE, as well as placed in the IEEE’s
repository for access on a worldwide basis.
All of these activities have been maintained
and have occurred during economic downturns
and industry consolidations, making this not only a
sustainable industry event, but also a setting where
improvements, new technologies and, perhaps
most importantly, relationships can be shared.
Conclusion
The evolution of the conference is a point of pride
for both the CIC and PCA, not just in the manner of
which the conference is presented, but also in the
fact that, through our efforts, most financial gain is
returned to the industry, allowing future attendees
the same experience that we have all appreciated
over the conference’s existence.
Reference
1. MAXWELL-COOK, P., “A Golden Celebration”,
World Cement: IEEE-IAS/PCA Cement Industry
Technical Conference Supplement
(2008), pp. 6 – 13.