CANY

CANY Conference Sets Future Directions for Industry

"Ceramics: The Industry of the Future," a two-day conference held October 7-8, 1998, in Corning, New York, brought together over 100 representatives from industry, business, and academia to explore the potential for growth of the ceramics and glass industry in New York state.The conference was co-sponsored by CANY and the CACT.

"The conference featured an exceptionally diverse cross-section of members from New York's ceramics and glass industry," said CANY president Thomas J. Sonneville. "Our speakers were recognized experts in their fields, and their presentations dealt with topics both timely and relevant to what's happening in the industry."

According to Joel P. Moskowitz, president of Ceradyne, Inc., "The enthusiastic attendance and wide range of specialties represented at the conference indicate the interest and pragmatic approach to the emerging growth field of advanced technological ceramics. These new materials are paving the way for industrial, consumer, electronic and military applications."

Co-chaired by Dr. L. David Pye, dean of the NYS College of Ceramics, and Dr. David Szczerbacki, dean of the College of Business and acting dean of the College of Engineering and Professional Studies at Alfred University, the conference targeted ceramics and glass entrepreneurs and business owners, research and development directors and faculty, and economic development planners. Featured speakers included Pye, who addressed the historical perspective; Dr. Stephen W. Freiman, chief of the Ceramics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and president of the American Ceramics Society, who addressed crucial issues for industrial advancement; and Dr. Robert Newnham, professor emeritus, Solid State Science at the Pennsylvania State University Materials Research Laboratory, who discussed industrial "scaling up and scaling down" into the twenty-first century.

In addition, several panel discussions highlighted particular aspects of the industry, including whitewares, biomaterials, refractories, electronic ceramics, glass, structural ceramics, composites, thin films, and photonics. Also featured was the CANY "Blueprint for the Ceramics and Glass Industry," funded by a grant from the Empire State Development Corporation, which explores statewide strategic plans for industrial growth and development.

The portion of the conference addressing business development strategies was particularly well received. "Those presentations featuring case studies from companies doing business in New York state bear particular relevance to CANY's industrial members," said Sonneville. "This sharing of diverse information and proven strategies from actual applications exemplifies the kind of strong industrial network CANY aims to build upon."

"The feedback we've received from the conference has been overwhelmingly positive," Sonneville noted. "Participants walked away invigorated by the dynamic presentation of information and ideas."

A reception showcasing the ceramics and glass industry was held Wednesday evening at the Rockwell Museum. The reception was hosted by Congressman Amo Houghton; CANY; the Empire State Development Corporation; and the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG).

"Ceramics: The Industry of the Future" was made possible with support from the Empire State Development Corporation; the NYSCC and the College of Business at Alfred University; the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); NYSEG; Congressman Houghton; the Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board; and Alfred Technology Resources, Inc.

From CACT Advances, Vol. 11, No. 1, Winter 1999.