Summit aims to provide manufacturing edge to participants
Allen S. Novick, a retired vice president for Rolls-Royce Corp., moderated a panel discussion during last year's Advanced Manufacturing Summit at Purdue. From left are Ken Wolfe, director of operations and corporate compliance for Allegiant Global Services; Eric Mittelstadt, CEO of the National Council for Advanced Manufacturing; Alex Folk, center operations manager for the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and Kris Pierre, manager of Green Suppliers Network, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Top state and industry officials will gather at Purdue on May 11 for this year's summit. The conference will focus on the critical role manufacturing networks play in strengthening existing firms and attracting emerging industry sectors to Indiana. (Purdue file photo/John Underwood)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Top state and industry officials will gather at Purdue University on May 11 for the ninth annual Advanced Manufacturing Summit.
The conference will focus on the critical role manufacturing networks play in strengthening existing firms and attracting emerging industry sectors to Indiana.
Among the speakers will be executives from companies specializing in electric vehicles, a manufacturing sector that is expected to grow dramatically in coming decades, said John Sullivan, director of Purdue's Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
The daylong summit, titled Creating Connections: The Importance of Building Business Networks, will feature talks by Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman; Chad Pittman, executive vice president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.; Keith Takasawa, director of product development for THINK North America; and Lawrence J. McShane, vice president and general manager of Evonik Degussa Corp. Tippecanoe Laboratories
One session will include discussion about the ongoing development by Conexus Indiana of a supplier Web portal, "Indiana Supplier INsight," which will enable companies to quickly find suppliers, Sullivan said.
More than 100 attendees from across the state are expected to attend the annual summit, organized by the Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The event is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration at 8 a.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union's South Ballroom. The fee is $50 for attendees, $100 for non-profit exhibitors and $200 for for-profit exhibitors.
People who want to attend or set up displays may register up to May 10 at http://www.conf.purdue.edu/summit and the day of the summit at the registration desk. Students wishing to attend the conference can contact the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at 765-494-1279 or cam@purdue.edu to inquire about reduced attendance fees.
The Center for Advanced Manufacturing serves as the central point of contact at Purdue on a range of manufacturing issues, linking existing and emerging businesses with researchers on campus. The center's mission is to bridge basic academic research with specific industrial needs to enhance both the understanding and application of manufacturing concepts in Indiana.
In addition to the center, summit sponsors and supporters include the Access Technology Across Indiana Network (ATAIN), Barnes & Thornburg LLP, the Indiana Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Purdue's Technical Assistance Program.
Writer: Emil Venere, 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
Sources: John Sullivan, 765-494-1279, john.p.sullivan.1@purdue.edu
Steve Shade, 765-494-1279, sashade@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Journalists interested in interviewing speakers in advance of Purdue's annual Advanced Manufacturing Summit or wanting a detailed agenda may contact Emil Venere at 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
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Previous news release: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/events/2010/100331SullivanSummit.html