
By Jose Rivera
We are on our final stretch toward the 2023 CSIA Executive Conference in New Orleans. Lots of work goes into planning the event by us (CSIA staff) and by all the presenters, panelists, and Expo exhibitors. The conference creates an ideal opportunity for hosting side events before the conference kick-off. Some vendor partners gather with their SI networks, some peer groups meet in-person, and one-on-one meetings are organized leveraging people’s travel.
Worth mentioning for 2023:
- Given the great success of our Speed Networking track at our conference in Denver, we have placed a Speed Networking session for all on the first conference day. If you are new to this, please start practicing your “elevator pitch” and make sure you bring your business cards.
Pre-conference Workshops:
- In 2023 we will have our first business value workshop “Investing in Your Most Important Asset – Your Company: Building and Realizing Business Value.” We decided to organize this workshop to address the very active SI market with many investment opportunities for SI company owners. Clint Bundy (Bundy Group), Cathy Durham (Capital Valuations Group), and Bryan Powrozek (Clayton & McKervey) will present on Tuesday, May 16 (pre conference start). Workshop requires registration with separate fee. Rush as attendance is capped.
- Our traditional BP Workshop will take place on Monday, May 15, through Tuesday, May 16. This year it will be Exotek delivering the workshop and including BP Revision 6.0 in the material. For many Sis, attendance to this BP workshop has translated into later certification of their companies or for those already certified, additional company resources familiar with the material. Workshop requires registration with separate fee. Rush as attendance is capped.
CSIA Travels
Before we meet in New Orleans, CSIA is busy:
- CSIA LATAM hosted its first post-pandemic in-person event together with Beckhoff in Mexico City on March 14. Carolina Casas (Regional Director) and I leveraged this trip to meet with members in Mexico City. We also traveled to Hermosillo to meet with Electro Controles del Noreste (ECN), the first SI certified in LATAM.
- I also attended ProMat (supply chain, warehouse, and distribution industries) on March 21.
- Lisa Richter (Industry Director) and I represented CSIA at the Manufacturing in America event April 12-13 in Detroit. This is an event organized by Siemens and Electro-Matic. This will be their post pandemic restart, a month later than previously.
- I am presenting at the Mitsubishi National Sales meeting in Naples, Florida this week.
ARC Forum
Last, not least: Early February I attend the ARC Forum in Orlando. This is an event that I try to attend every year as it helps me stay in touch with the reality of end users, the clients of our SI and vendor partners.
My takeaway: Independent of what you think about sustainability, it is something that has been moving our industry and will continue to do so for years. Zero emission and carbon neutrality commitments by 2030-2050 by larger companies will drive many future projects.
Providers (includes SIs) will have to adhere to sustainability requirements. Many SIs will benefit from this.
Some may view these projects as “just another SCADA or MES” project. Others with a broader view may see themselves as “enabling their clients meet their sustainability goals and help save our planet.”
See you in New Orleans.
Jose Rivera is CEO of Control System Integrators Association.