The 2018 AEMT Conference & Awards
Gary Downes, AEMT President, welcomes delegates to the Conference.
The guest list was a healthy balance of members, associates and non-members, and we’re proud to say the day was the most attended of all AEMT conferences to date! A balance of keynote talks, and business workshops worked well, and will follow through to next year. However, the feedback strongly suggested that we breakup the day more, so that there are opportunities to visit both the keynote talks and the workshops. With more new faces than ever before, it was also noted that networking was becoming ever more important; the ability to ‘connect’ with fellow delegates will be another feature looked at for next year’s conference.
The association’s president, Gary Downes, opened the conference by welcoming delegates, and thanking all those who brought the day together, including the display partners. Thomas marks, Secretary of the AEMT, took to the stage to familiarise members to the Circular Economy and introduce the line-up of speakers who went on to inform members of the various economic, technological and legislative changes due to change the industry in the coming years.
The Circular Economy, simply put, is an economic framework that is restorative and regenerative by design. The less energy required to keep materials out of the ground, the more sustainable the design. Taking electric motors as an example, they are almost entirely made from easily recyclable materials. Further still, AEMT members are primed to make the most of the service market for this equipment and all extending plant.
Talks followed starting with the International Copper Alliance, who looked at the growing demand for copper in motors and generators, as covered in the supporting article earlier in this edition of the Journal. Then, AEMT’s Dr. Martin Killeen introduced the new IEC 60034-23 repair standard for rotating electrical equipment. Siemens Dr. Christian Mundo spoke about the Digital Twin and the company’s new Sidrive IQ software launched for digital drive systems, also covered in the supporting article. ABB’s Steve Hughes entertained with a look at the ABB Ability electromechanical drivetrain system, as was covered in the 18-2 edition of the AEMT Journal.
Topping off the conference, a guest visit from Si2 Partners’ Titos Anastassacos took delegates on a journey from past to future looking at the pivotal products that have changed our world. Not least the electric motor, the smartphone, and the internet – now all combining to take the service industry into a new age altogether. Titos’s supporting article is also found in this edition of the Journal.
Heading upstairs one floor to the conference floor to the breakout sessions, AEMT’s Event Organiser, Samantha Agnew, hosted delegates for a more business focused series of seminars. Gary Sheader of the Manufacturer’s Alliance discussed the top challenges for ambitious leaders. Clive Reddihough of FMS should be known to those who attended the association’s southern meeting in Chatham. Clive picked up on sales and marketing tools that should be employed to boost your company’s businesses opportunities.
A welcome break at 4pm, when the conference closed, meant members had some time to relax, catch up with emails, or enjoy the hotel’s leisure facilities, before the champagne reception began for the evening’s Awards.
The evening’s AEMT Awards careered back into the limelight for it’s second year, and successfully built upon last year’s triumphant inauguration. With more guests, drink, food, and awards than the prior year – the electrifying atmosphere of the gala dinner was also quick to gain momentum.
Cheers and whoops almost drowned out the enlivening beat of the audio-visual soundtrack as each finalist was read out. As winner by winner was announced, the excitement levels rose until reaching the evening’s crescendo with this year’s entertainment, straight from Air Force One – the American President, Donald Trump – or a very good impersonation of him in any case, by the extremely talented and hilariously entertaining Mike Osman.
Visit the AEMT Awards website to view the winners and finalists of the 2018 Awards, plus all associated photos and videos.
www.aemtawards.com
Visit the AEMT Conference website to view photos, videos and presentations for the day:
www.aemtconference.com