Annual Fluid Power Industry Conference Exceeds Expectations

March 4, 2010 - PRLog -- More than 100 industry leaders from National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) member companies converged on Laguna Beach, CA February 24 – 27 for the 2010 NFPA Annual Conference.  The conference provided these executives with critical information about leading their organizations forward, including expert economic analysis and realistic projections for 2010 and beyond, new opportunities to build innovative research partnerships to advance their products, strategies for getting the most out of their star performers, and information on how to make better decisions to lead their companies through change.

The conference was a great opportunity for NFPA members to connect—providing one of the best opportunities for education and networking.  “Throughout this challenging economy,” Eric Lanke, NFPA Executive Director, said, “NFPA has been focused on three primary tasks—keeping our members connected with one another, keeping them informed about changes in their marketplace, and keeping focused on long-term strategy and success.  All three objectives were met at the 2010 Annual Conference.”  The 2010 speaker lineup included:

•  Recovery Economics: Domestic Threats and International Opportunities - Alan Beaulieu, senior analyst, economist and principal with the Institute for Trend Research;

•  Sparking Innovation and the Technologies of the Future - Bruce Kramer, Ph.D., senior advisor for engineering and coordinator of interdisciplinary and cross-directorate activities in the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation at the National Science Foundation (NSF);

•  Coaching for High Performance – Tom Crawford, founder and managing partner of High Performance Associates (HPA); and

•  Wise Decisions in Times of Change – Lori Cross, neuroscientist, engineer and founder of Mindspan Consulting.

Updates on many NFPA initiatives were also provided, including the Technology Roadmap for the Fluid Power Industry, the Engineering Research Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, and a new research partnership opportunity with the Industrial Technologies Program of the U.S. Department of Energy.  

NFPA looks forward to seeing members at more events in 2010, including the Industry and Economic Outlook Conference, August 17 – 18, 2010 at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, IL.

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NFPA provides a forum for the fluid power industry’s channel partners—manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers and educators. It’s U.S. and multinational members work cooperatively in advancing hydraulic and pneumatic technology through the association’s many programs and initiatives.