June 2019 Association Watch

NFPA’s 2019 Industry & Economic Outlook Conference

August 12 – 14 | Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort, Oak Brook, Ill.

The Industry & Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC) returns to the greater Chicago area in August, onceagain offering hard data and expert analysis for everyonein the fluid power supply chain. The 2019 conferenceprovides attendees several new opportunities to network,learn, and get the most out of the event.

In addition to a new location, this year adds new topics to the usual IEOC lineup to offer a different level of technological insights in addition to a co-located event with the American Gear Manufacturing Association (AGMA). These include:

Robotics and IoT in the Industrial Marketplace – Donna Ritson, DDR Communications LLC

The Future of Technology and its Impact on Manufacturing – John Ellis, Ellis & Associates

Co-Located AGMA Marketing & Forecasting Conference — Tom Runiewicz of IHS Markit will share his insights on the U.S. economic conditions surrounding the gear industry. The IEOC offers several opportunities to make connections with other attendees.

Highlights:

NFPA Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament – This modified “scramble”-formatted tournament appeals to golfers of all levels and offers fun, casual competition.

Tuesday Networking Breakfast or Special Pre-conference Networking Breakfast and Presentation – Enjoy breakfast while talking with colleagues or while listening to a special presentation on solutions to industry issues.

Networking Lunch – Choose from three networking lunch meeting options on Tuesday, August 13:

• Future Leaders Lunch – Open to NFPA members 45 years of age or younger who are currently on a leadership path, this option features networking and a short presentation.

• NFPA Technology Roadmap Forum and Lunch – Open to all attendees. Enjoy lunch while discussing the latest fluid power technology challenges and solutions with your industry peers.

• Networking Lunch for All Attendees – Open to all attendees.

Registration is open at nfpa.com. The room block at the Hilton Chicago/ Oak Brook Resort is available until July 12. FPW

More IoT resources coming this summer

Many of the presentations at the past few NFPA events, including the NFPA Annual Conference, Industry & EconomicOutlook Conference, and Regional meetings have focused on theInternet of Things and how it relates to the future of fluid power.

Planning and building around fast-moving, shifting, and often unclear IoT trends can be tough without the right information, so NFPA will continue work to bring more resources for members to use moving forward at their companies.

Coming soon, NFPA has signed on with IHS Markit to provide NFPA members a report that assesses the IoT readiness, capabilities, and emerging requirements based on key industrial markets for fluid power, such as automotive and power generation.

The report is based on a survey that looks at six key areas of IoT readiness:

Data handling and processing – how well companies are collecting, storing, and analyzing data?

Networking – to what extent do companies have suitable infrastructure for collection and storage of data?

CybersecuritySoftware integration

Skill sets and collaboration – to what extent are workers getting the tools and developing skill sets to handle the data?

Governance – to what extent do IoT capabilities appear ready to support new business models?

The report will be available to all members, and at the same time, IHS Markit analysts will present key conclusions and additional insights at the 2019 NFPA Industry & Economic Outlook Conference this August in Chicago. FPW

NFPA | nfpa.com