EXPO - GEAPS

EDUCATIONIf you’re serious about your job and interested in helpingyour company, you find ways to learn and grow. And if youcan’t find great ways to learn and grow at Exchange 2011, youaren’t looking very hard. Over three days, we’ll be providingmore than 30 hours of focused education programs, allgeared for people in grain operations and related professions.The topics range from pressing issues and regulatory updatesto facility safety, equipment maintenance and grain-qualitymanagement.There are numerous highlights. The opening workshop, amorning-long program featuring several experts, will addressthe industry’s bin entry, bin sweep dilemma. Another sessionwill provide a first-person account of how his company respondedto a grain-dryer fire. An expert in electrical safety willdiscuss the hazards of arc flash and an insurance professionalwill provide advice about premiums. Idea Exchange will offer16 six-minute presentations, all about equipment new to theindustry. And 12 expo-hall “pods” will offer demonstrationsand provide hands-on opportunities with a variety of safetyequipment.“The education program is outstanding, and relevant to people in the grain industry because GEAPS members suggestedthe topics!" said Ken Schmenk, chairman of GEAPS’ Educational Programming Committee. "EPC members areheavily involved in grain operations as part of their jobs, and they have extensive knowledge of what we all do on adaily basis. This is reflected in the quality of speakers and final educational sessions scheduled for the Portland GEAPSExchange. We are excited about our final product, and look forward to sharing timely information with attendees."4IDEA EXCHANGESixteen people with bright ideas or products new to the grain operations industryhave been selected to make presentations at GEAPS’ Idea Exchange this year. Theprogram, set for Sunday, Feb. 27, will give each participant time on stage to explaintheir innovations.The GEAPS Educational Programming Committee selected the final presenters atits Nov. 8 meeting in Minneapolis, Minn. The EPC reviews applications in detail andselects those most appropriate for presentation.Idea Exchange has two parts. One, “What’s New?,” provides a forum for participantsto discuss products that are new to the industry, or which have unique, newfeatures. The other part, “Why Don’t They?... I Did!,” focuses on innovations madeat grain facilities that others could find useful. Participants in Idea Exchange thisyear selected by GEAPS’ Educational Programming Committee:Why Don’t They?... I Did!Baltic Birch Plywood Coffer-Dam, Wayne Bauer, Star of the West Milling CoPower Core CPV-6 Silo Bin Vents, Dave McGovern, Zen-Noh Grain CorpEnclosed River Belt, Dan McClenning, CargillWhat’s New?Konnection, Kasa Companies IncMapcon on–Demand, Mapcon Technologies IncIntegrated Receiving Pit Dust System, Boone Aeration & Environmental CorpConsolidated Standards for Inspection – Grain Handling Facilities,AIB InternationalPremier Mercury – Patented Indent Length Separator, ArrowCorpBinSpector V1.0, BinTech LLPAutomatic Railcar Gate Opener, Calbrandt IncEZSentinel, CMC Industrial ElectronicsDaay Bin Paddle Sweep, Sioux Steel CoAdjustable Rub Block Door Assemblies, Electro-SensorsIntegra Web Net Systems, Integra PlasticsOPI-Integris Moisture Cable, OPIsystems Inc - Integris USABehavioral Safety the Right Way, RCI SafetySTUDENT DAYEducational Program for StudentsMonday, Feb. 28Student Day 2011 will provide students planning toenter the field of grain operations with the opportunity toparticipate in the Exchange through a program tailored to fittheir interests and needs. Through a combination of specialpresentations and one-on-one interaction, students will learnabout issues currently facing the world of grain operationsand connect with established industry professionals.Student Day includes two components. First, professionalsin various grain operations fields will address studentsregarding topics of interest in the agribusiness world today,as well as share their own professional and educationalbackgrounds and their experiences in the industry so far.Following the presentations, Membership Committeevolunteers will lead students on individual or small-grouptours of the Exchange Expo.Attendance at Student Day also entitles students (andaccompanying faculty members) to attend all regulareducation programs during the conference. Participatingstudents will also become complimentary Student membersof GEAPS for the duration of their schooling plus one yearpast their graduation date—GEAPS’ way of investing in thefuture of the industry.