The IEEE's 2006 Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC) originally was slated for February in New Orleans. Then hurricane Katrina hit. The conference managers wanted to stay out of the way of relief efforts, so they scrambled and found a new venue. The show and conference now will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dallas, March 19-23.
Let's say you were already set to go. So, you only have to shift your plans by a month. Now let's say you wanted to go, but your bosses turned you down because they didn't buy the idea of sending engineers to New Orleans five days before Mardi Gras. Or let's say you wanted to go, but you weren't sure how much real networking you were going to accomplish in New Orleans.
Well, Dallas makes a difference. The city has its attractions, but with a different aura than pre-Katrina New Orleans. More importantly, it's right in the middle of technology country—particularly power technology. So if the powers that be declined your previous travel request, this is an opportunity to try again.
To help make your pitch, tell the boss that APEC's not just a designer's conference. In fact, there's something to interest everyone. It has a strong technical program, with real refereed papers, and it's one of the largest power electronics expositions in the world.
Six industry leaders will address the future of power electronics during the plenary session. About 300 oral presentations and 80 dialogue presentations will follow over the next few days. Four special presentation sessions and 18 three-hour seminars will offer professional education from introductory through advanced levels. And, more than 150 power-electronics companies will show off their wares.
But remember, all work and no play may make you a dull engineer. Attendees can enjoy or even compete in the conference's twentieth annual MicroMouse contest. Designers from around the world are invited to enter their robots in this challenging and popular maze race. First prize includes $500, a handsome trophy, and plenty of bragging rights.
Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition
www.apec-conf.org