Archive of the '2010 All Things IEEE' Category

The expo floor is dark quiet today as technicians assemble the exhibits, but there is a lot of activity. Tomorrow will be busy as more floks invade the space and start their work.

Have you ever noticed how much our industry is out there having a positive influence on our world? We got to Epcot early and the first place we went to was the Spaceship Earth exhibit. Riding up the access belt, I saw the title sign with “presented by Siemens.” It was a great ride, by the way. Super high tech and so was the surrounding exhibits.

One statement for the ride’s narration really got me thinking was (paraphrasing) - Our ancestors shaped today and we are shaping tomorrow. That is exactly what we are doing at PES. Those who came before us gave us a strong foundation with our electrical grid. We are taking that to a new level with the smart grid technologies we are deploying.

Be sure to take advantage of Smart Grid day on Wednesday. There are going to be some fantastic sessions presented on where we are going with all of this new stuff. I know I want to part of the group shaping our tomorrows - how about you.

Have you given much thought to our future engineers and technicians? Our PES sure has. I have talked with Pat Ryan the IEEE PES executive director and Tommy Mayne the executive director T&D North America and they are very passionate about the subject. Pat and Tommy are up to their necks in the student program. I just don’t know how they do it with all the other responsibilities they have.

Take a look at the student activities that are planned for the T&D Expo. They have mixers, sessions, breakfasts, networking, career guidance, the Collegiate?GOLD/Industry luncheon, and many more activities scheduled. Tommy told me that PES started a program to bring high schoolers to the Expo in New Orleans and had a great response. They didn’t what to let that pass, so they are doing it again in Orlando. At the last count, over 50 students were signed up! Those are high school students (in addition to all the college students). Pat and Tommy believe it really pays to get these kids started as early as possible.

Stop by the IEEE PES booth on teh exhibit floor and ask one of the folks there about these programs and the others PES is sponsoring to counter the brain-drain the industry is experiencing.

It’s time to take a break. Time to visit with friends Time to talk about what was an attention getter. Time to reflect about what is next. But most of all time to relax a little! Sure the next challenge is just around the corner. PES is moving on to 2012 and the next T&D Expo. The Organizing Committee has been busy on that while we were still planning to go to New Orleans. But right now, Karen is going to get some time with Tommy. They have time to visit with old friends like Rick Bush Editorial Director of T&D World magazine. It is the quiet before the storm, but it is also a time to enjoy friends and visit.

The curtain came down in New Orleans with a parade and a party - of course. It is a party town. PES, Tommy, and the Organizing Committee have wrapped up another successful T&D Expo! NOLA was fantastic both as a host city and a T&D Expo. It never ceases to amazes me, each Expo gets better and I have been coming to these events since the mid 1980s. I always think how can they top this? Each time they do. The NOLA Expo closed to flying oranges, a parade and the sight of Tommy in shorts and sandals. Put May 10th 2012 on your calendar for Orlando. I can’t wait to see how the Organizing Committee tops this Expo, but Florida and Orlando have the challenge.

I grew up in Florida and whenever friends left we would say - “Ya’ll come back now, ya hear!”

It is almost 10am on Tuesday morning - bosses do you know where your engineers are? People are registering while others mill about in front of the hall doors. Only the exhibitors are allowed past security The attendees are ready to get into the Expo.

It worked last night, but is it still working? I heard that question more than once. The equipment on display is pretty complex and it is a good idea to have a run through one more test to make sure everything is working and everyone understands how to show it off. Did you ever think about the preparation that goes into the Expo? I didn’t until I started to write the show blog. Chicago really opened my eyes. New Orleans reinforced that.

Here is my first attempt at video. I am such a beginner in the wonderful world of video. Still photography is my field, but video??? I found out the camera doesn’t rotate the video when I rotate the video. My Nikon does. Maybe I better check out other cameras if I am going to do video in the future.

The Expo ended with as much excitement as it started with. Tommy, Mark, and the Crescent City Currents really know how to throw a party and generate excitement. I hope you didn’t get hit with a flying orange. Let’s plan to get together again.

Pam and I have been planning for the trip to New Orleans and the PES T&D Expo for months. We have studied the city, the tours, everything. I have been looking forward to seeing friends and daydreaming about the new technologies I could play with. Now it is over. I feel like I lost a friend. I don’t want to go home - well maybe. NOLA has been a fantastic host city. I don’t think I met anyone in the service industry that wasn’t trying to be helpful.

I always feel it was a great trip if I wish there was more. I really wish there was more. I guess it is time to start thinking and planning about Orlando. Heck, it is only two short years and we can do it again!!