Overview
ASNT 2022: The Annual Conference takes place from Monday, 31 October, to Thursday, 3 November in Nashville. The conference will feature exciting general sessions and time to connect with industry peers, plus a vibrant exhibit hall with more than 225 exhibitors.
This event offers attendees the best opportunity to share their research/work, hear updates on the latest advances in NDT, and network with colleagues. “In my opinion it is a conference for the entire NDT community—everyone from a Level I and Level II on up through management will get something out of this conference,” said Barry Schieferstein, CMP, DES, ASNT Director of Learning and Events.
Carrying on some of the refreshing changes from last year’s conference, all scheduled committee meetings will take place prior to the kickoff of the conference. The ASNT Board of Directors Meeting, as well as ASNT’s Annual Meeting of the Members, will take place early in the day Monday before the keynote kicks off the conference.
Moogega (Moo) Cooper, PhD, will open the conference with her keynote “Limitless,” sponsored by CarestreamNDT. On 18 February 2021, Cooper helped make history when the Mars Perseverance Rover successfully landed on the Red Planet. Part of the famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) team, Cooper is blazing a trail as a real-life “Guardian of the Galaxy,” holding the awesome responsibility of keeping Mars safe from Earth’s contaminants. Now she is sharing leadership lessons learned from her inspirational journey to the top of a male-dominated field—space exploration—with insights on how perseverance pays off and how diversity makes the JPL team even greater. This opening session will also include the presentation of ASNT awards including the New NDT Professional and Advancement of Women in NDT. Following will be a welcome reception with exhibitors in the exhibit hall to close out the night.
The full technical program commences Tuesday. Throughout the conference, there will be more than 35 technical sessions, an international panel of experts presentation, the Lester/Mehl Honor Lecture, seven Deep Dive sessions, and 12 Innovation Forum exhibitor presentations to choose from. With the variety of pathways and connections to NDT, there is something of interest for everyone regardless of how they are involved in the industry. Topics include NDT global issues, infrastructure, European radiographic testing standards, NDE for spacecraft, auditing processes, code requirements, employer-based certification, career resources, NDE 4.0, and more.
Tuesday morning starts with a general session and the international panel. The international panel of distinguished guests will discuss NDT topics that affect the global NDT community. “The tagline for our Annual Conference is ‘where the NDT World Comes together.’ This year it is even more true as we welcome back all of our international attendees who were unable to attend last year. We are looking forward to having a true international presence at the conference,” said Schieferstein.
This Tuesday general session will also include the presentation of several ASNT awards including the George C. Wheeler Excellence in Personnel Certification, Ward Rummel Engineering Excellence Award, and the Outstanding Paper Award for Materials Evaluation. Tuesday will also be the first full day for the Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall will also be home to the Innovation Forum sessions, which will take place on both Tuesday and Wednesday during Exhibit Hall hours.
The technical program continues Wednesday with a general session and the Lester/Mehl Honor Lecture given by Glenn Washer, PhD, at 9:00 a.m. Washer is a professor at the University of Missouri in Columbia. His research interests are focused on condition assessment technology for civil infrastructure. His presentation is titled “Developments and Challenges for Nondestructive Testing of Bridges.” Technical presentations will also continue throughout the day as attendees gear up for the industry’s biggest night—ASNT Celebrates! Returning after a successful introduction last year, this celebratory gala is a ticketed event and will commence with a cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m. and continue through dinner while ASNT takes the stage to celebrate the NDT field, the Society, and its members.
The conference ends Thursday, when the final technical presentations will take place as well as the closing luncheon at noon. Tim Hwang will present “The Challenges & Opportunities of AI.” An expert on artificial intelligence (AI) and its existing and likely implications, Hwang succinctly and skillfully breaks down a broad range of topics related to ensuring that AI systems are designed and used ethically. This closing session will also include the presentation of the President’s Award (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) as well as Section Charter Anniversaries.
The most current version of this year’s agenda is available online.
Short Courses
Another feature of #ASNT2022 is the opportunity to attend short courses that take place throughout the week. ASNT short courses are instructor-led courses conducted in person. They feature a broad range of topics addressing relevant technologies, NDT/nondestructive evaluation, and management techniques. The interactive courses are applications-oriented to provide job relevance with the instructors providing content expertise, industry experience, and on-the-job know-how. ASNT short courses are approved for ASNT NDT Level II and III, IACET continuing education units, and professional development hours. Space in these courses is limited and often fills quickly.
Courses offered include: “Care, Know, Live – Creating and Delivering Effective Technical Presentations,” by Phil Trach of Laboratory Testing Inc.; “Auditing NDT, 50 years of Experience,” by Don Locke, president of Hellier/CodeWest/WorldSpec; “NDT Fixture Design Additive Manufacturing,” by Robert Woodward of Spearhead Labs; and “Introduction to Digital Radiography,” by George Hodges of Hodges NDT LLC. Register no later than 24 October.
Connecting at #ASNT2022
ASNT offers several tools to help attendees get the most out of their experience. One of the best ways for attendees to manage their conference schedule and remain current on events and activities is by downloading the conference mobile app. This app allows users to create a personalized schedule, track recertification points, network and share contact information with other attendees, read online conference news, and participate in special activities. It also integrates with the self-check-in kiosks available during registration. The app will also include changes of any activities in real time, making it a must-have for any attendee. Instructions for accessing the mobile app will be sent to registered attendees two to three weeks prior to the conference.
The award-winning on-site conference newspaper, the ASNT Daily, will also be returning. The daily newspaper will cover major conference events, provide information about the conference venue and host city, offer exclusive discounts and contests, and allow conference attendees to share their experiences and viewpoints in Q&A style features.
_______
For more information, listen to the Chat NDT with ASNT podcast episode, “Getting Ready for ASNT 2022: The Annual Conference,” featuring Barry Schieferstein, CMP, DES, ASNT Director of Learning and Events with host Debbie Segor, CAE.
Additional information on the host hotel, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, is available through the ASNT website.
The Annual Meeting of the Members is Monday, 31 October from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (CT). ASNT Executive Director and members from the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee will present The State of the Association, Annual Financial Report, and Strategic Plan 2022-2026. Members will have the opportunity to ask questions after presentations. To attend virtually, RSVP is required.
This article is adapted from the October 2022 issue of Materials Evaluation. The electronic edition is free to ASNT members.