Published November 12, 2013

Valve Basics in New Orleans: It’s a Wrap

More than 130 professionals from across the valve industry, including manufacturers, end users, EPC firm personnel, distributors and students from the University of New Orleans came together at Harrah's New Orleans for VMA's first two-full day seminar, Nov. 6-7.

One attendee wrote: “Loved the petting zoo!! Getting up close and personal to the valves was great. Will definitely help in understanding in my line of work.”

Another attendee thanked a presenter: “I appreciate Greg Johnson taking time to offer suggestions in my new career move from accounting to inside sales/service repair. I found the seminar to be very beneficial.”

Exploring Changes in 2014

Members of VMA’s Education & Training Committee and course presenters met after the event to review evaluations and discuss ways to further improve the learning experience. Although the Valves & Actuators 101 course was originally designed for those who are new to the industry, others with more experience continue to attend.

The committee will meet soon to work out a new framework for the 101 course, and details will be announced on VMA.org and in VALVE eNews as soon as they become available. Registration for the next Basics event—April 2-3 at the Hilton Kansas City Airport—will open in January 2014. Another Valve Basics Seminar & Exhibits will be held in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood, Oct. 30-31, 2014.

Judy Tibbs is VMA’s director of education and associate publisher/editor in chief of VALVE Magazine. Reach her at jtibbs@vma.org.

Basically, It Takes a Team

EDUCATION & TRAINING COMMITTEE, all of whom served as presenters—Greg Johnson, Chairman (United Valve); Leon Brooks, Vice Chairman (Cameron); Ed Holtgraver, Actuator Lead (QTRCO Inc.); Bert Evans (Emerson Process Management); Jeff Kane (DFT Inc.); and Paul Souza (AUMA Actuators)
GUEST PRESENTERS—Ernie Dingeldein (GE Oil & Gas/Consolidated); John Molloy (ASCO Numatics); and Bill Tatum (Westlock Controls)
PETTING ZOO HELPERS—Steve Atherton (Metso Automation); Michael Christian (Westlock Controls); Carlos Davila (CRANE); Lido Flores (AUMA Actuators); Michael Fulford (Bernard Controls); Doug Laiche (Emerson); Matt Lovell (United Valve); Scott Richardson (Kinetrol); David Scott (Samson); and Mark Simmons (CWFC-Farris Engineering)