* Innovative Equipment. The latest and greatest in energy-saving technologies and equipment will be the focus of Steve Lessley, Market Manager-Nonwovens, ITW Dynatec; Alan Lavore, Executive Vice President, Mahlo America; Hans-Georg Geus, Technical Director, Reifenhauser Reicofil; and Doug Brown, Biax-Fiberfilm.
* New Markets & Opportunities. Exploiting new market opportunities is vital for companies to guard against the time when a strong product or service will become static or declining. The panel of Jerry Fan, Independent Consultant; Rory Holmes, President, INDA; Ram Maheshwari, Director of Marketing, Ginni Filaments (India); and Keith Osteen, Principal, Smith, Johnson & Associates, will explore new market opportunities springing from a range of possible sources. The speakers will investigate the markets of China and India and discover the global possibilities with a look at recent patent filings and industry “mega trends.”
* Innovative Thinking. John Wilbanks, Vice President of Science, Science Commons/Creative Commons; Abbie Griffin, Royal L. Garff President Chair in Marketing, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah; Karl-Michael Schumann, Innovation Advisor & Coach, Former Director of R&D, The Procter & Gamble Co.; Chris Andrews, Senior Analyst, Forrester Research; and Al Dietz, Johns Manville, will explore innovation as the bottom line of our industry.
* Advanced Materials-New Developments. Attendees will learn about new developments with eco-friendly raw materials and innovative ways resins and fiberglass are being used to create sustainable energy. The panel includes Ralf Taubner, Scientist-Spunbonds & Films, Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut; Rockey (Bin) Zhao, ExxonMobil Chemical; and Andy Campbell, Senior Staff Engineer, Braskem Polypropylene.
INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry