So this is 2012 then and there will be a lot going on!
Right now, I am already on the road again. While writing this editorial I am on my way to the annual AOV/MOV conferences in San Antonio, TX. These conferences and the accompanying exhibition are focusing on the usage of air-operated and motor-operated valves especially in the nuclear industry. Primarily this was a North American event, however now more and more European and also Asian engineers come over to attend the event and share their experiences and knowledge (for more information see the box below).
Travelling is an important part of my work and I strongly believe that 'face to face' conversations and meetings are always the best ones. Second come telephone or skype conversations, as they are sometimes necessary for smaller topics and if travelling would be too complicated. Lastly come emails, as I think they can come across as being very impersonal, everything is in black and white and you lack the opportunity to give feedback in a proper way. However, emails are sometimes necessary to get a certain message across or to inform people in a quick and easy way because almost everybody in the flow control industry has constant access to emails, including when travelling.
Coming back to why travelling is so important for me (but not only for me, I think I can speak for all my editorial colleagues) – I (or we) get the chance to meet with the members of the global Valve World community, the existing ones and the those new to Valve World. Travelling also enables me to do cover story and end-user interviews directly on site and make reports from important events going on all around the world. But I think, and surely you all agree with me, the prime reason is to stay in touch with the community.
And this being in touch is exactly the reason for attending several big events this year, as, obviously, that is the easiest way to keep in contact with fellows, colleagues, clients, and friends. And there are some big and important dates in this year’s event diary: Offshore Asia in Kuala Lumpur, OTC in Houston, POWER-GEN International in Orlando, Achema in Frankfurt, Adipec in Dubai and, to round the year off, Valve World Conference & Expo in Düsseldorf. They are all major global events which surely will attract many visitors and exhibitors as they play key roles in the various industries in which these events are specialised.
I am pretty sure that you will attend one or several of these events and I am a hundred percent sure that we will bump into each other at one or other event – at the very latest at the Valve World Conference & Expo in November. So, I will watch out to make sure not to miss you at these events and I really look forward to seeing you in 2012.
Best wishes,
Retrospect from ‘on the road’
As mentioned above, I am currently at the AOV/MOV – again a very good and interesting event. In the next issue of Valve World, you will find a full and detailed retrospect article on how the joint conferences went and what is new in the US nuclear industry. Expect to get an update on the latest product developments and hottest innovations from the exhibiting companies and the hottest topics straight from the conference sessions.
So make sure you watch out for next issue of Valve World to learn more about this event. Maybe you will come next time and see for yourself?