May 3, 2012 – Record-setting attendance, outstanding speakers and a high level of energy marked the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) 2012 Executive Conference held last week in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. Opening keynote speaker Alan Beaulieu, economist and president of the Institute for Trend Research, told the group that the U.S. is in solid economic recovery, despite the public’s perception that the country is in a recession.
“All leading indicators are up, a clear indication of economic health,” Beaulieu said. “Manufacturing is picking up speed and interest rates are going to stay low.” Beaulieu predicts that interest rates will stay low for another year, stimulating borrowing and economic growth through 2013. While Beaulieu is optimistic about the near term, he forecasts massive inflation ahead and “terrible” times in the 2030s, when entitlement programs for the retiring Baby Boom generation will deplete reserves. Also during the opening plenary session, Jeff Miller, Interstate Control Systems, announced the release of the fourth revision of the CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual.
Miller, who chairs the Best Practices Committee, said the latest revision includes a new section for best practices in service and support and a restructured section related to marketing, business development, and sales and opportunity management. During the association’s business meeting, Stephen Goldberg, Matrix Technologies, Inc., chairman of the CSIA board of directors, announced the association’s expanded mission to raise awareness of CSIA globally.
Director Eduardo Acosta, Omnicon S.A., said efforts will be focused on Spanish-speaking Latin America, Brazil, India, Oceania and South Africa. Three individuals and one company were recognized with awards at the conference.
Ed Diehl, Concept Systems, Inc., received the Charlie Bergman Award for service to the organization. Craig Eidson, Optimation Technology, Inc., and Keith Harris, Lord & Company, Inc., were named CSIA Rising Stars.
Software Toolbox received the Partner of the Year Award. Integrator and partner members and their guests totaled 472 for the three-day event. Conference attendance has grown 32 percent in the past three years. Overall, membership has increased nearly 28 percent since 2009, with 400 companies representing 27 countries.
About CSIA
Founded in 1994, the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) is a not-for-profit, global professional association for control system integrators and industry partners. Control system integrators use their engineering, technical and business skills to help manufacturers and others automate their industrial equipment and systems. CSIA members provide a range of services in dozens of industries. CSIA’s mission is to advance the business practices of control system integration. CSIA helps members improve their business skills, provides a forum to share industry expertise, and promotes the benefits of hiring a certified control system integrator.