The SPE Brand
In today’s world of information and marketing overload, most experts agree that branding is the single best way to break through the clutter and create lasting relationships with customers.

There may have been a time when SPE’s conferences, seminars and educational programs, products and groups did not face the type of competition in the marketplace that they do today. There may also have been a time when individual professionals readily sought out and became active in professional organizations to enhance their careers. Both these notions, while perhaps still true in some quarters, are certainly not as prevalent today.

In a climate where personal and professional time is so constrained, and where there are a multitude of both not-for-profit and corporate competitors for the types of activities that SPE provides, the question is: Can SPE survive without a strong brand? Article

Executive Director

2007 Audit Completed
As a follow up to last month’s article, the auditors completed the 2007 audit and there were some adjustments to the numbers reported in the February issue. SPE’s operating net revenues rose to <$141,000> (versus the <$209,000> reported last month). Click here for the full pdf of the auditors’ report.

2008 books have been set up and we are just now getting January and February statements finalized. The consolidated income statement and historical graph of SPE’s net operating revenues by month can be found below. However, please be aware that January and February are very poor predictors of financial performance. The numbers are up from the same period last year, but still in negative territory. SPE’s financial performance in 2008 will be primarily dependent on a few things. More

ANTEC 2008 Technical Sessions Online
Check out the list of paper titles and presentations for your Division or SIG! Over 600 papers and presentations will be offered in 117 sessions at ANTEC 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 4-8. Don’t forget that Division/SIG board members are eligible for discounted full-conference registration pricing of $345, a savings of 50% off the advance member price! Advance registration ends April 23.

ANTEC 2008 Registration Site Open
The ANTEC registration site (including Plastics Encounter and SPE Seminars) is open for business! Access to online registration is available on the ANTEC homepage.

Two New Awards Luncheons at ANTEC
Two new awards luncheons are being introduced at ANTEC this year. Immediately following the morning Council meeting on Sunday, May 4th, the new Leadership Awards Luncheon will be held in the Regency Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel (11:30am-1:30pm). This luncheon will honor SPE Councilors receiving 3- and 6-year service certificates, Pinnacle Award recipients and the Husky Section Education Award recipient. This plated luncheon replaces the former Council box lunch, and is for all Councilors, award recipients and invited guests only.

On Wednesday, May 6th, a new Student Awards Luncheon will be held from 12:00noon-1:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Regency A/B Ballrooms. This luncheon will feature the presentation of the Chase Plastics Student Chapter Education Award, the Outstanding Student Chapter Awards, and various student paper and recognition awards from participating Divisions and Special Interest Groups.

SPE Celebrates Banquet
There’s still time to sign up for the SPE Celebrates Banquet being held on Sunday, May 4th in the Regency Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It promises to be a super event! In addition to the recognition of new Honored Service Members and Fellows and the presentation of SPE’s Annual Awards, the Plastics Academy’s posthumous Hall of Fame Awards will be presented to the families of four outstanding individuals (two were Nobel Prize winners). The evening’s events start with a reception at 7:00pm, and the banquet runs from 8:00pm-11:00pm. You can sign up for this event on the ANTEC website.

2008 Pinnacle Awards Announced
Congratulations are extended to the 2008 Pinnacle Award recipients. The Pinnacle program was established in 2005 to recognize Sections and Divisions that successfully create and deliver member value during year. Sections and Divisions are reviewed in four categories of achievement: organization, technical programming, membership and communication. Two levels of achievement are possible: Silver and Gold. Click here for a listing of this year’s recipients!

Technical Articles for Newsletters
Section/Division Newsletter Editors. How would you like to tap into a pool of great technical articles and industry pieces to share with your members? A fellow Editor has offered this great suggestion and we need your help to make it happen! Please email Tricia McKnight technical articles or industry pieces you’ve used in your newsletter so they can be shared with your colleagues. Articles will be posted to the Newsletter Editor Resource Page on the SPE website as they are received. Special thanks to Michael LoDico (Golden Gate Section) for speaking out!

Milwaukee Council Meeting
By now, Councilors should have received the First Call for the Milwaukee meetings, so they can begin planning for Council Meetings and leadership activities being held in conjunction with Plastics Encounter @ ANTEC 2008. All governance meetings will be held at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center Hotel. Click here for a draft meeting schedule. Room reservations can be made on the ANTEC website. If you have questions about any of the Milwaukee meetings, please contact Marie Salzo.

Wanted: New Seminar Topics and Additional Seminar Instructors
SPE is seeking qualified plastics professionals to assist in the development and execution of new seminar titles throughout North America. Seminars are 1- and 2-day programs addressing different topics in plastics at fundamental-, intermediate-, and advanced-levels of instruction. Different compensation models for these programs are available. To learn more about SPE Seminars, visit the SPE website; to propose a seminar or discuss the program, contact Lesley Kyle.

More Scholarships Announced
Congratulations are extended to the following two students who will be receiving Blow Molding Division scholarships from The SPE Foundation this year: Nicholas Cruz, Pittsburg State University, $4,000 John Raymonds Jr. Scholarship, and Jessica Patz, Penn State-Erie, $8,000 Carrie Fox Solin Scholarship (payable over two years).

Pittsburg Section Scholarships are awarded to students who attended high school in the Pittsburgh area. This year, the two students selected for $2,000 scholarships are both attending Penn State-Erie: Jessica Patz and Kory Slye. Congratulations to both of them!

Renew Early. Save Money.
Our 2008-2009 early bird renewal program kicks off this month. Members who renew 90 days before their paid-through date will save $10.00 on membership dues provided they enter acceptance code EBM-Q when renewing online.

Early-bird renewal notices were mailed in early March to members with a June 30, 2008, paid-through date. These members have until March 31, 2008, to take advantage of early-bird renewal savings. Members with a July 2008 paid-through date will receive their notices in April. Two email reminders will be sent as well to encourage members to renew by their deadline.

You can help promote the early bird campaign by putting this ad in your April newsletters. To learn more about the early bird program click here.

SPE EUROTEC™ To Be Held in Autumn 2009
SPE Event Management announces a new international ANTEC-style conference to be held in Barcelona, Spain, September 29-October 2, 2009: EUROTEC. This large-scale technical conference and networking event is intended to attract current and new members from all over the world and especially those from Europe and the Middle East. Fundamental- and intermediate-level seminars will be held in addition to concurrent technical sessions, plenary talks and panel discussions. Session tracks are in the process of being identified and a call for papers will be announced within the next 6 weeks. For more information, contact Lesley Kyle.

Seminars at ANTEC
Need some additional training yourself? Or perhaps you have employees who would benefit from a seminar. The SPE Seminars at ANTEC 2008 provide training in a wide variety of technical areas (color & appearance, engineering properties & structure, extrusion, injection molding, marketing & management, materials, and product design & development). Click here for further information on each program offered or to register. Registration closes on April 19, 2008, so don’t delay!

Employment Anniversaries
Congratulations are extended to SPE staff celebrating employment anniversaries this month: Lesley Kyle (7 years), Tobi Gebauer (6 years).