Inventor Dean Kamen to keynote at PTDA/FPDA meetings.
Press Release Summary:
Scheduled for Oct 22-24, 2009, co-located PTDA 2009 Industry Summit and FPDA 2009 Network Symposium will have theme of "What's Your Next Move?" and will feature programming designed to help participants prepare for life after recession. As inventor, physicist, and entrepreneur, keynote speaker Dean Kamen holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents, many for innovative medical devices. In addition to Kamen, Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research will offer insights into the economy.
Original Press Release:
Inventor Dean Kamen to Keynote at PTDA and FPDA Co-Located Fall Meetings
Chicago, Ill. - March 17, 2009 - Inventor, entrepreneur and tireless advocate for science and technology Dean Kamen will be the opening keynote speaker for the co-located PTDA 2009 Industry Summit and FPDA 2009 Network Symposium. To be held on October 22-24, 2009 at the brand new Hilton San Diego Bayfront, this is the first time the two organizations have maximized their resources by co-locating their fall meetings.
Most well-known as the inventor of the Segway(TM) Personal Transporter, Kamen is president of DEKA Research & Development Corporation based in Manchester, NH. DEKA is a dynamic company focused on the development of revolutionary new technologies that span a diverse set of applications. As an inventor, physicist and entrepreneur, Kamen holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents, many of them for innovative medical devices that have expanded the frontiers of health care worldwide. He has dedicated his life to developing technologies that help people lead better lives, and this inspired him to found the non-profit US FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The vision of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Kamen's commitment to inspiring young people's interest in science and technology makes him an ideal keynote speaker for the two organizations.
Co-locating the fall meetings of the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) and The FPDA Motion and Control Network (FPDA) will create natural synergies for both organizations. The theme for the co-located meeting is "What's Your Next Move?" and will feature programming designed to help participants prepare for life after the recession. Attended by leaders in the industrial distribution industry, members from PTDA and FPDA will share keynote speakers, workshop sessions and networking events over two days.
"Working together with FPDA on this conference is just another way we're recognizing that many of our members are multi-faceted, seeking to be a complete resource for their customers," said Drew Tucci, 2009 PTDA president. "By joining forces with FPDA for this event, we're able to bring to our collective membership speakers like Dean Kamen who can spark the innovation and energy they need to design their next move."
"The leadership of The FPDA Motion & Control Network is looking forward with great anticipation to this co-located event with PTDA," said Richard Neels, FPDA president-elect who will assume the association's presidency in spring 2009 and will preside over the fall event. "As distributors in the industrial and mobile markets, FPDA and PTDA members have a lot in common, and by co-sponsoring many of the events, we are each able to offer our members a top-notch program and unparalleled networking among distributors and manufacturers. With both associations contributing to the program planning, this is shaping up to be an extraordinary event and we're proud to be part of it."
In addition to Kamen, Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research will speak at the closing luncheon, offering his amazingly accurate insights into this unprecedented economy. Workshop sessions will assist participants in positioning their companies to be ready to ride the first wave of upturn with focused content on uncovering the hottest markets, planning to enter those new markets and minimizing the risks associated with seizing opportunities.
A key component of the co-located meetings will be the Motion Control Technical Conference and Showcase. The Motion Control Technical Conference is the premier event for technical specialists in the power transmission/ motion control (PT/MC) industry to learn about motion control trends and technologies. Part forum, part technical benchmarking, the Technical Conference focuses on the latest trends and information in the motion control arena. The Motion Control Showcase offers manufacturers of motion control products a venue to display their hardware, software and services to those who market and sell motion control products throughout North America. The sponsoring associations are also inviting local FIRST Robotics Competition teams to demonstrate motion control capabilities by displaying and operating their competition robots during the Showcase.
For more information about the co-located meetings, visit www.ptda.org/IndustrySummit or www.fpda.org
The FPDA Motion & Control Network is an international trade association representing approximately 300 member distributors, manufacturers, service providers and trade publications in the fluid power and motion technology industry. For more information, visit FPDA's website at www.fpda.org.
Founded in 1960, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 204 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $10 billion in sales and span 3,500 locations in North America and 12 other countries. PTDA members also include 198 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.
PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably. For more information, visit www.ptda.org.
