Since VALVEMagazine.com was inaugurated many years ago, valve professionals have increasingly taken advantage of the valuable information and insights provided in content created exclusively for and by our readers. Technical articles, economic forecasts, updates on standards and business improvement tips have traditionally been the most popular articles each year, and 2016 was no exception.

Hopefully you’ve read many of the features offered over the past year, but if you’ve run short of time, here is a great opportunity to catch up on the best of the best. Enjoy the top 10 articles published online in 2016 on VALVEMagazine.com, as determined by our readers.

Human resources managers, executives representing their companies and YVPs (young valve professionals) from VMA companies gathered Nov. 14-15 at the Valve Manufacturers Association’s Human Resources Workshop in Houston. Attendees heard from several speakers and shared experiences on a wide range of topics of importance to those responsible for their companies HR activities.

The event kicked off with a welcome and introduction of VMA’s Valve Careers program by Kelly Watson, VMA Communications Committee member, and VP of Sales & Marketing for Watson Grinding & Mfg., based out of Houston. Watson updated attendees on the accomplishments of the initiative thus far—such as the Valve Careers website, marketing videos, social media, members-only resources and more—and additional Valve Careers resources and projects that are on the horizon.

The Valve Manufacturers Association elected new board members, presented awards to people who have served the organization and listened to speakers share their ideas on how the economy and the industry are faring at the 77th Annual VMA/VRC (Valve Repair Council) Meeting Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in Naples, FL.

Five years after the first Valve Basics Seminar was held, the course continues to attract a diverse array of young industry professionals from across the U.S. and Canada. More than 1,000 people have attended the course, which originally was designed as a one-day event and eventually grew to two full days. Now, with continual feedback from past attendees indicting they wanted “more” Valve Ed, VMA’s Education & Training Committee is launching a third day of programming in 2015.