The latest technologies in the electrical and mechanical equipment and services market will be on display, June 25-27, at the convention for the Electrical Apparatus Service Association Inc. (EASA) in Tampa.
In accordance with this year’s theme, "Partners for Progress," attendees can strengthen partnerships with fellow EASA members through educational sessions, technical forums, networking, and other events where they can share knowledge and information about their work.
"As I’ve said before, even though we may be competitors, we all share a common interest, and networking with your fellow members helps to foster great ‘Partners for Progress,’" said James Smith, EASA chairman of the board and president of Advanced Electric Equipment Service, Inc. in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Steve Callen of Nidec Motor Corp. agrees with the power of networking at the event. After all, EASA relationships have driven business in the industry for decades and generations. "It’s a great place to easily see in one place all of our customers and connect with them," Callen said. "There’s no one place I can go and see that many people at one time. It’s a cost-effective solution for doing that … There is no better place to come to see the industry. This is the industry. It’s all the people who manufacturer the product, it’s all the people that work on the product, it’s all the people that sell the product."
Another unique aspect of the event that has been true for generations is how family-friendly it is. "We really enjoy coming here because we not only get to meet the ownership of the different EASA shops but we actually get to meet their families," said Frank Seidenthal, principal at Ludeca Inc. "You can see how vested they are with their companies and how passionate they are, and that’s what makes this event unique."
Regardless of one’s age or experience in the industry, EASA packs industry learning into an accessible venue and events.
"(For) anyone getting into this industry, if you don’t come to EASA, you are missing out because this is a wealth of knowledge that is shared in two and a half days that you couldn’t get if you went to school for a year," said Randy Colip of Baldor.
Here is what to watch for at this year’s EASA convention:
One-day registration. New this year, attendees can sign up for one-day registration if they don’t plan to attend all four days of the event. Full registration is still the best value, but the one-day registration
provides flexibility.
New product theater. This area in the exhibit hall will display products and services from a group of exhibitors, and 20-minute sessions will include time for questions and answers.
Mobile app. Available for iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android platforms, the app can be found by searching for "EASA 2017" in a device’s app store.
Product news video. A video featuring interviews with company representatives will be shown in prominent locations. It will also appear in the EASA mobile app and on EASA’s YouTube Channel.
Educational sessions. These start on Saturday, June 24 and also run on Sunday and Monday mornings. Sessions include: Using Variable-Speed Drives to Improve Pump System Efficiency; AC Motor Basics; The Industrial Internet of Things: What Does It Mean to You?; Pump Mechanical Seals; Basic Drive Parameters and How They Affect the Motor/Drive Combination; Emerging Technologies in the Motor Industry; and Industry Research: EASA Service Center Trends and Future.
Kickoff lunch motivational speaker. At Sunday’s kickoff event, keynote speaker Mark Scharenbroich of Scharenbroich & Associates will address "Partners Connecting to Fuel Progress." Scharenbroich, who appeared at EASA’s 2007 event and received the highest speaker ratings ever, will offer tips on how to be effective at making meaningful connections in both one’s professional and personal life. In his work in both industry and education, he discovered how some of the best organizations build a culture that encourages people to perform at a higher level.
Dinner and entertainment. Sunday night’s event will feature dinner and the presentation of this year’s EASA Award winner. Afterward the comedic juggling duo The Passing Zone will provide entertainment.
Economic trends speaker. At lunch on Tuesday, Brian Beaulieu of ITR Economics, will share a short- and long-term industrial economic forecast and how it directly impacts attendees. He will also discuss business cycle phases and the most important leading economic indicators to watch, as well as insight on inflation, interest rates and taxes.
Tampa tours. Optional tours of Tampa will also be offered on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. Saturday options include a trip to Busch Gardens or the Tampa City Tour — Plant Museum, Ybor and Columbia Neighborhoods. On Monday, excursions include the Florida Aquarium & Dolphin Eco-Cruise or the St. Petersburg Tour–Dali/Chihuly, and on Tuesday a Bay Lunch Cruise on Yacht Starship II will be offered.
