The Chairman's Message

The 2007 Exchange conference at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine was a fantastic experience.  More than 2400 participants from over 50 countries attended sessions covering everything from technical instruction to lessons learned to leadership.  We were inspired by great speakers like John Berra, Peter Schutz and Dave Beckmann, and we were able to begin and renew relationships with men and women from around the globe.  

As everyone who made it to Grapevine knows, the value was truly outstanding.  The Emerson Product Roadmaps and Updates and the Educational Services sessions were huge hits, as was the Exhibit Hall, which boasted longer hours this year to allow more time "hands on" with the products and the people using them.  The number and quality of presentations by users increased, and we continued to prove that we can learn much from each other.  We had the opportunity to meet several new people from Canada, Latin America, the Middle and Far East, and Europe, and caught up with colleagues from all over the U.S.   

As always, if you have any suggestions for making the annual event better, we would love to hear from you.  Just drop any Board member a note at the email address listed in the Board of Directors link on the Exchange website.  Our goal is to continue to deliver and improve the value of the Exchange and expand the trust you place in us to bring you the best topics, speakers and information. 

The conference for 2008 is scheduled for September 29 - October 3, 2008, in Washington, D.C.  We will be converging in the brand new Gaylord National, currently under construction on the banks of the historic Potomac River.  It promises to be an event packed with more value than ever before.  Make your plans now to join us.  The focus of the conference will be the importance of individuals, both leaders and followers, and their contributions to our collective success.  The engineering leaders of tomorrow are the ones who will leverage technology to deliver solutions to major life issues.  It is an exciting time to be an engineer and a leader.

Be thinking about what you would like to bring to the conference - your questions, problems and dreams.  And spend some time putting together ideas for your own technical or leadership presentation.  The call for papers will go out in early January, 2008, which will be here before we know it. 

Looking forward to seeing each of you next year in Washington at the Emerson Global Users Exchange - where ideas become solutions.  

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