More than 200 people from across the valve industry participated virtually in the VMA Valve Forum and Valve Basics event, which included 4 days of presentations on technical, manufacturing, management and marketing, valves 101, and valve repair. They chose from among 28 different sessions, came together to participate in discussion forums on a variety of topics, asked varied and thoughtful questions of the presenters, networked with others during hundreds of group and private chats, and explored product offerings via video demos posted by the event’s supporters.

One of the advantages of having VMA’s Valve Forum and Valve Basics program as a virtual event is that attendees have access to the materials and information up to a month after the event is held. In other words, registrants can pick and choose which sessions they want to attend live the week they are aired (Nov. 9-12), and then listen to the sessions and see demonstrations such as those that are part of the Valves 101 lessons as well demonstrations by vendors, when their schedule allows.

The depth of knowledge and range of topics for the week are vast. For example, during the valve basics sessions (Nov. 9-10), attendees can learn about the different types of valves and related equipment such as linear, check, pressure relief, quarter-turn plug, ball and butterfly valves as well as an overview of manual actuation.

With the increasing need for new talent, especially in engineering, companies are seeking ways to connect with students before they graduate to build relationships that aid in the recruitment process for new engineers and other professionals. One option is to sponsor a capstone project.

Technology has been advancing at a pace that may be faster than our ability to protect it, according to Pat Toth, cybersecurity program manager with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Toth was keynote speaker at the second VMA Valve Industry Knowledge Forum, April 9-11 in Birmingham, AL.

Toth told a packed audience that manufacturing is at risk because of this pace and warned attendees to consider what information their companies have that would benefit a criminal. For example, customer information is a likely target.