Record attendance at 2004 Emerson users exchange

Manufacturing engineers and managers from process industries worldwide, including over 40 customers from Europe, joined Emerson Process Management personnel in this exchange of experience last month

The 2004 Emerson Global Users Exchange Conference took place last month, from October 25 - 29, in Texas, USA.

Manufacturing engineers and managers from process industries worldwide, including over 40 customers from Europe, joined Emerson Process Management personnel in this exchange of experience developed around the 2004 theme "Bringing the Best Together".

The Users Exchange has the goals of improving efficiency using enabling technologies, and providing open communications among the worldwide membership group: these goals were achieved through panels and presentations, assisted by an exhibition area covering 40,000 square feet.

Here, a fully functioning demonstration of PlantWeb digital plant architecture provided networked stations for hands-on experience of the newest technologies for improving quality, throughput and availability, while reducing costs.

The PlantWeb exhibit gave delegates the opportunity to participate in and provide feedback on future developments, by exploring ways of advancing today's leading technology to the next level of value delivery.

Emerson automation solutions personnel listened to the views of attendees on best practices and service needs for realising the benefits available through modernised process automation, asset optimisation, and enterprise information technology.

The Users Exchange board of directors organising the event reported that 1,508 people had registered this year, an increase of 25% on 2004.

"We significantly exceeded last year's total attendance, which included users, EPC (engineer/procure/construct) Contractors, Emerson Local Business Partners, suppliers, and Emerson employees," said John Gardner, an Emerson senior vice president and executive sponsor of the board.

"Of note, we received registrations from 42 different countries, and around 25% of the customers and users attending came from overseas, making the 2004 conference truly global in nature.

The feedback received to date has been overwhelmingly positive and congratulatory".

Several contributions were made relating to the experience gained in European applications, with papers presented by Huntsman delegates from Holland and from the Huntsman Petrochemicals plant on Teesside, UK, plus a paper describing the new control system on the BP Rigidex polyethylene plant in Grangemouth, Scotland.

"Sharing of experiences in the actual application of leading edge technologies is a big advantage to any company," stressed Gardner.

This year, the event agenda included three keynote speakers, two management round tables, nine industry business forums, 250 different workshops and short courses, and the exhibit area.

In the evenings, attendees toured the exhibits and enjoyed a night at the celebrated Circle R Ranch for recreation.

"The Exchange offers our customers and users a chance to view the future technologies under development, as well as give further input," Gardner concluded.

"This conference provided an unequalled opportunity to share best practices, technical innovations, and application success stories, and for our customers to informally network with their peers.

We hope that all attendees took home new knowledge of ideas and techniques to maximise the efficiency and profitability of their facilities".

The Emerson Global Users Exchange Board is already at work planning for next year's conference: this is to be held in Orlando, Florida, from October 3-7, 2005 at the Orlando Marriott Resort.

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