Dear Fellow Members:
Please join me at the SNAME 2012 ANNUAL MEETING and EXPO in Providence, RI on October 23 to 26, 2012. Following our very successful meetings in Houston last year and Bellevue in 2010, we return to Providence on our three year/three coast rotation. SNAME continues to improve the content of the meeting with an emphasis on networking opportunities, timeliness of the technical program, and high profile panels. This year’s meeting in the heart of our northeast and mid-Atlantic communities should prove to be outstanding.
Quality technical content remains a key component of our Annual Meeting, and we once again feature over 40 hours of exceptional peer reviewed papers, special panel discussions, and cutting edge T&R sessions. Panel sessions have been standing room only and we have invited an impressive group of industry leaders and experts for this year. The themes for the four panels with interactive discussions are:
- “Polar Patrol”
- “Fast Service, Patrol, and Combat Craft”
- “Offshore Wind and the Role of Naval Architects, Marine Engineers, and Ocean Engineers”
- “Indigenous Naval Architecture”
and there will be a special Young Professionals and 50 Year Member panel session on:
- “1,150 Years of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering”
This year the technical program will include the NSRP Ship Production Symposium sessions starting on Tuesday afternoon, October 23 to Wednesday, October 24. We have also expanded the technical program to include the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) Fall Technical Meeting on these same days.
Before the Annual Meeting technical sessions get rolling, we will also offer four accredited (we are expecting all four courses will be accredited), continuing education (CE) courses, where you can earn CE credits, and several industry training courses. The Wednesday CE courses offered are:
- “Ship Cost Estimating for Engineers” - Thomas Lamb
- “Early Phase Ship Design” –- Sean Walsh and Ben Capuco
- “General Arrangements” – David Kaysen
- “An Introduction to Parametric Tools for Rapid Small Craft Design Solutions – Jay Jeffries
and the Pre-Annual Meeting industry training courses include the following thus far:
- “General GHS Training” – Lucas Hurt
- “An Introduction to LNG for Naval Architects and Marine Engineers" – Tony Teo
- "Introduction to Dry Docking" – Joe Stiglich
If you are a student, don’t miss the Wednesday through Saturday Student Program. We are especially pleased with the growth in student participation at the Annual Meetings. It’s a great place for students to learn and socialize with their peers, for students to be introduced to and network with industry leaders, and for prospective employers to reach out to future graduates. We offer a packed program for students, including the Student Congress, the Design Competition, a Job-Scholarship-Graduate School Fair, student paper presentations, and social events.
The SNAME Expo will be sold out again! The Expo gathers the best marine products and technologies in one location for imnformation exchange, sales and networking. The Expo floor will also feature unique opportunity for exhibitors to present innovation sessions, enabling attendees to see and learn about developments in cutting-edge products and technology. The Expo is truly representative of the Society, including all aspects of the design, production, maintenance and operation of ships, submersibles, small craft and offshore and ocean bottom structures.
Our networking opportunities are exceptional and include the President’s Reception, the Students and Young Professionals Social, the Annual Banquet, the President’s Luncheon, and alumni events which continue to play a vital role in the program . At the Annual Banquet, celebrate with our medal winners and other honorees and hear our distinguished keynote speaker; once again this year, students attend for free! And don’t miss the Pre-Banquet Reception and Post-Banquet Reception at no charge. The President’s Luncheon will include the awards presentation for papers of excellence, awards for service in Society activities, as well as awards for the Dr. James A. Lisnyk Ship Design Competition and the MARAD/SNAME Student Design Competition. And you won’t believe who will be getting their 50-year Member certificates.
Come have some fun and support the Student Scholarship Program. SNAME will host the 5th Annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday, October 23. On Saturday October 27, join the 4th Annual SNAME Cup Sailing Regatta, which will be held with J/22s on the waters off Newport, RI. For those of you who want a different challenge, consider participating in the 2nd Annual Footy Yacht Design Competition and Regatta on Friday, after the panel sessions.
Providence is very affordable; the group room rate for attendees is $169 at the Westin Providence hotel ($121 government rate and $119 for students). The hotel is conveniently attached to the Rhode Island Convention Center, where the technical program, expo, and functions will all be held. Providence is serviced by major airlines, is easily reached by train along Amtrak’s northeast corridor, and is an easy drive from almost anywhere in the northeast. Be sure to check the SNAME website to see the special discounts available for transportation.
All of this adds up to the Annual Meeting you have been waiting for; a great program, in a vibrant picturesque city, with outstanding networking opportunities. Registration options are available to attend for the full conference, just one day, or to attend a specific event. You can mail, fax, or register online at www.SNAME.org, but register today. And do share this information with a friend or colleague, and encourage them to attend as well.
I look forward to personally welcoming you to Providence in October!
Sincerely,
Edward N. Comstock
SNAME President
For general questions, please contact Alana Anderson via email or directly at 201-499-5066.
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Alana Anderson via email.