MORE than 2,100 delegates from 48 countries, all of them decision makers in the automation industry, attended the 2006 Emerson Global Users Exchange in Nashville, US, which was held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Centre.

This year’s conference was themed “Learn, Lead and Unleash,” and, as always, was arranged by Emerson’s dynamic community of users.
The Emerson Global User Exchange is recognised as one of the premier user events for process automation in the world.
The five-day conference is characterised as providing excellent user presentations, industry-specific sessions, topical management round table discussions, and a large, trade-show size exhibit area.
The conference combines extensive networking opportunities and knowledge sharing, through educational presentations in a relaxing and friendly environment.
Users are given an opportunity to see and discuss Emerson Process Management’s product technology roadmaps, participate in hands-on demonstrations, attend short courses, and learn how peers are tackling the challenges of improving business performance.
 “The Emerson Exchange offers opportunities to everyone who attends, from the plant manager to the technician,” according to James Cook, process control engineer, Degussa Corporation and 2006 chairman of the Emerson Exchange. 
“With user participation in every industry business forum, management roundtable, short course and workshop, it is the premier conference by far.
“Users share the good and the bad, all to improve the bottom line of their businesses and to grow as individuals. Everyone leaves with something that makes them better at what they do and that is what the Exchange is all about.”
Developed under the guidance of a 16-member board of directors and a five-member Advisory Board, the conference’s five-day agenda is largely developed by users for users.  Twenty-three short courses were available this year, four of which were presented by Emerson’s Education Services professionals.