ASNT 2021: The Annual Conference is set to be the NDT event of the year, the place where the NDT world will be able to come together both virtually and in person. The conference will be held on 15–18 November 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona, and registration is now open at asnt.org. In a bonus episode of Chat NDT with ASNT, podcast host Debbie Segor, CAE, talks with Barry Schieferstein, CMP, DES, ASNT Director of Learning and Events, about what’s going to be new and/or updated at this year’s conference as well as which returning favorite programming attendees can expect. The following is a sampling of the topics covered in the podcast episode.
New Conference Schedule
Those returning to the Annual Conference will notice some changes to the structure of events, designed to optimize attendees’ time and allow them to fully engage in all the conference experiences. The first of such changes is that committee meetings that are being held in person will take place before the start of the conference, on Sunday, 14 November and Monday, 15 November.
The conference kickoff will also take place earlier this year, with an exciting keynote delivered on Monday, 15 November at 4 p.m. (MT) by Mark Schulman, the drummer for P!NK, on unlocking the “rockstar attitude.” This keynote will take place before the welcome reception and opening of the exhibit hall on Monday.
A new event for this year is a special closing luncheon on Thursday, 18 November featuring a keynote by Dr. Radhika Dirks, a quantum-physicist-turned-entrepreneur, on rethinking and employing the opportunities of artificial intelligence.
Professional Development Opportunities
This year’s career workshop will feature many presentations on career development and will be open not only to students, but anyone wishing to attend and refresh their skills. The conference will also include various sessions on career development, covering topics such as résumé writing and networking as well as conflict resolution and dealing with uncomfortable situations in the workplace. There will also be spaces set aside for companies to conduct job interviews on-site.
Networking
After the challenges of the past two years, ASNT knows that conference attendees will be eager to reconnect with colleagues and friends. This year’s Annual Conference has built time in the schedule between the general sessions and the technical program each day to give people the opportunity to network and experience the conference at their pace. During this time, there will be informal networking areas set aside featuring topical discussions. It will also be a good opportunity to explore the exhibit hall, which is anticipated to have nearly 200 exhibitors as well as an ASNT booth where attendees can learn more about the Society and ways to get involved.
Mobile App
This year saw the debut of a new conference app (any attendees of previous Annual Conferences can delete the former ASNT Events app). This app includes many features to help attendees navigate the conference experience, including the ability to create a personalized agenda. It will also be integrated with the self-check-in kiosks available at registration, a new feature that will streamline the registration process once attendees arrive.
New Event: ASNT Celebrates
This conference will also be the debut of a new event, ASNT Celebrates. This new event takes the place of the now-retired Awards Banquet; this year, awards will be presented throughout the conference, giving recipients more time for recognition of their accomplishments and contributions to the Society and the NDT industry.
ASNT Celebrates will begin with a reception outside of the ballroom that will feature samplings of local cuisine and give attendees a chance to network and connect. This reception will lead into the ASNT Celebrates dinner, where the Society will honor and recognize the accomplishments of its members and the NDT industry. The evening will conclude with time for attendees to enjoy the surrounding nightlife in Phoenix.
Virtual Component
Virtual attendees will have many opportunities to engage with ASNT 2021. Two of the on-site session rooms will be livestreamed in real-time for virtual attendees, and they will also have access to all of the general sessions taking place throughout the conference. There will also be a selection of presentations which will be online-exclusive.
In Addition
In addition, Debbie and Barry discuss the RISE program activities, involvement from sister societies, events related to ASNT Certification Services LLC, the special programming for conference attendees’ guests, the self-check-in process at registration, the ASNT Event Ambassadors program, the first-time attendee session, and safety protocols. To get the full scoop, visit https://blog.asnt.org/podcasts/ or search for Chat NDT with ASNT in your favorite podcast platform.
More coverage of ASNT 2021: The Annual Conference will be available in the upcoming October issue of Materials Evaluation.
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Barry Schieferstein, CMP, DES, is the Director of Learning and Events at ASNT, bschieferstein@asnt.org.
Debbie Segor, CAE, is the Marketing and Communication Specialist at ASNT, and the host of Chat NDT with ASNT. To be a guest on the podcast, contact desgor@asnt.org.
Haley Cowans is the Educational Materials Editor at ASNT, hcowans@asnt.org.