NIBA to Meet in New Orleans

Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 8/1/2005

NIBA—The Belting Assn. will host its 2005 Convention, themed, "Our Industry, Our Challenges, Our Opportunities!" Sept. 17–20 in New Orleans. Scheduled activities include educational sessions, networking opportunities, a conference booth program, social events and tours.

Attendees are welcomed to the convention and New Orleans on Saturday night, with the welcome evening event, "A Cajun Occasion," where they'll enjoy a reception, buffet dining and entertainment. Sunday's agenda begins with a breakfast, the opening ceremonies and a technical presentation, then moves on to a keynote address by Dan Burrus on "Technotrends: Use Technology to Go Beyond the Competition," and NIBA-sponsored tours. Breakout sessions are on the docket for Monday morning, and the NIBA-sponsored golf tournament and tours are offered that afternoon. On Tuesday, the convention's final day, the conference booth program is open for attendees; and that night, "The Great Mardi Gras Extravaganza" event serves as the convention's farewell.

The breakout sessions will be repeated on Monday, giving conventioneers the opportunity to attend two of them. Session topics include: "Heath Care Costs: Nowhere to Go but Up;" "Internet Marketing: Put Your Needle on Top of the Haystack;" "Integrated Supply: How Well Do We All Fit In?;" "Government Resources: Finding Financial (or other) Assistance Available at the Federal and Local Level;" and "Succession Planning for your Business."

A forum for international NIBA members will highlight and discuss the benefits NIBA brings to international members, market conditions and trends in Asia and China, and other organizations similar to NIBA in Germany, Japan, Sweden and elsewhere.

Networking activities include, "Circling the Crescent City," a tour of New Orleans, from the French Quarter, Bayou St. John and St. Louis No. 3 Cemetery, to Lake Pontchartrain, Tulane and Loyola Universities, and the Garden District. Other tours include: "Mysteries of Louisiana Swamplands;" "The Secret Gardens of the Ursilines and The Beauregard-Keyes House;" and "Creole Promenade."