2005 International Topical
Conferences & Exposition

AFS Fall Conference Largest Ever

An expanded Annual AFS Fall Topical Conference was held September 19-22nd in Ann Arbor, MI, and drew two distinct audiences.

The first Conference titled Filter Testing, Procedures
and Equipment was designed for users of filters and filtration industry filter development engineers. With the broad interest, the Conference will likely be repeated in future years based on the feedback.

The second concurrent Conference focused on the subject of Diesel and Gas Emission Conference and a follow-up to the 2003 Topical Conference on the same topic. As 2007 EPA legislation requiring reduction of diesel soot take effect, diesel filters will be the largest single filtration application ever to emerge for any use. Industry experts have forecasted filter sales will be $3 billion dollars worldwide as Europe and Japan legislation takes effect in 2008 following the United States lead in 2007.

Organizers of the two conferences were Dr. Ernie Mayer, Senior Consultant, DuPont and Dr. Neville Bugli, Technical Fellow, Visteon for the Filter Testing Conference and Dr. Tad Jaroszczyk, Research Fellow and Dr. Jerry Liu, Manager Exhaust Systems, both of Fleetguard, a division of Cummins Engine and Ed Gregor of Edward C. Gregor & Associates, LLC for the Diesel and Gas Emissions Conference. Ed Homonoff of Edward C. Homonoff & Associates, LLC, Second Vice Chairman of the AFS was the overall Program Chairman.

The AFS was fortunate to have the two leading world filter and filtration media test facilities provide Keynote speakers at the luncheons. Christoph Peuchot of IFTS, located in Agen Cedex France and Susan Goldsmith of IBR from Grass Lake, MI.

Mr. Peuchot provided us with insight into filter testing considerations and Ms. Goldsmith focused on the two major principles that will impact the future of testing.

The first is the old adage “Measure twice, cut once”. Goldsmith commented “Professional labs and standards developers will reduce uncertainty of measurements, leading to reduced testing costs, and stronger product claims.”

The second principle is “Think globally, act locally”. She said” Standards will be harmonized as much as practical to allow for global specifications. Test labs will have a global presence, with local facilities to support expanding locations of filter development and applications.”

Dr. Ray Collins of Dow Chemical Company in his opening Keynote Conference remarks in the Filter Testing Conference challenged process industry suppliers to “Address and solve a number of lingering un-met filtration industry needs.” Dr. Collins detailed comments were insightful for any filter or filtration media supplier to the process industry.

The Keynoters for the Diesel and Gas Emission Conference were Cleophas Jackson Team Leader at the US EPA, who discussed pending legislation and many of the specific details and requirements that suppliers need to be aware, including several new parameters and deadlines.

Dr. Jeffery Hamilton, VP of R&D at Cummins Engine explained the complicated process and research and development considerations in bringing new emissions technology to market.

Dr David Cole, Chairman, Center of Automotive Research detailed the new automotive manufacturer’s business model for the future, plus what to expect in future developments, including industry mandated regulations for emissions, safety and vehicle mileage.

For those that attended, the Conference provided insight into rapidly changing needs and new technology in both testing and emission requirements and filtration products. A number of the attendees had an interest in papers in each the Filter Testing and Diesel Emission sessions and crossed over for papers in both sessions. A number of table top displays from leading industry suppliers provided an opportunity to learn more about latest developments.

The Conference included a Registration Reception and a Sponsors Reception night hosted by Dow Automotive and Particle Instruments, LLC. There were lots of goodies to satisfy everyone’s appetite and plenty of fellowship, plus three superb sit down luncheons where filter people did what the three things they do best at AFS events…network, network, network.

Scott Yaeger, 2005 Chairman of the AFS said “This was a pinnacle Fall Conference for the AFS. It demonstrated both just how diverse our industry is and why people attend these focus conferences to gain technical knowledge that cannot be obtained at any other industry forum.

We intend to continue and perhaps expand our annual fall format based on the favorable feedback we received. Finally, Yaeger said "Participating in AFS events is always an excellent educational experience for newcomers and journeymen alike.”

Regarding the future, the 2006 AFS National Annual Spring Conference will be co-located with the Powder & Bulk Solids Show (PBS) next May in Chicago.

Corporate Sponsors and Exhibitors have told the AFS they want to meet more filter buyers, specifiers and users of filters and separation systems than they are able to meet at industry Conferences. This prompted the new direction and overall strategy for the AFS to co-locate with trade organizations with large number of filter buyers who attend their annual Conference.

According to Ms. Faith Levine, Marketing Manager of the AFS, “The PBS will draw over 5,000 attendees who perfectly fit what AFS Corporate Sponsors and exhibitors have told us they are seeking at a filtration exposition.”

Ms. Levine continued, “The Water Quality Association (WQA) and the AFS are then joining forces in March of 2007 in Orlando, FL where over 10,000 are expected. Earlier in 2005, AIChE co-located their Spring Conference with the AFS in Atlanta, GA.”

Contact Ms. Faith Levine at 614-288-4571 for either exhibition space or Corporate Sponsorship information.

The 2006 AFS Fall Topical Conference is being organized by Robert McIlvaine of the McIlvaine Company. More details will be forth coming in the next two months. Anyone interested in presenting a paper next fall’s event should contact Suzanne Sower, AFS Executive Manager at kss@afssociety.org