Powerful Connections and Collaborations

By George Obaranec, PE, CVS

The Power of Value was celebrated in June at the 2016 Value Summit in Niagara Falls, ONT. Among the successes:

• We combined resources, planning and execution efforts with our Summit partners, Value Analysis Canada (VAC), for an historic across-the-border location and wonderful conference setting. Mike Pearsall, P.Eng., CVS, FEC, with the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario was the VAC co-chair. He and his committee went above and beyond in delivering a great conference experience with many special touches. The picturesque view of the falls and plentiful local activities were strong competition for the presenters and agenda.
• This year’s Summit marked a return of GE to the value world conference as an active participant and platinum sponsor with numerous presenters and a keynote address. Many thanks to GE for their commitment, efforts, participation and sponsorship.
• With 250 registrants representing 18 countries, this truly was an international experience.
• The presentations, forums, displays and keynote speakers offered a diverse and comprehensive program. All major disciplines – including manufacturing, transportation, industrial, academic and institutional – were represented with two full days and three separate educational tracks.
• Many of the presentations were videotaped for future training and continued education. Check the SAVE website for them: they will be available soon for viewing.

One of the conference highlights was the keynote address of Christine Furstoss, the Technical Director of GE’s Global Research Center. Her theme of “being disruptive” resonated with the audience. Christine provided an important and relevant message for VE professionals: disruption can facilitate change. I know I will look at disruptive circumstances in a different light, turning them into opportunities.

Those who attended this year’s Summit can now boast of having the Function Analysis Guide in your resource library. Through special donations and considerations, all attendees received this new publication as part of their registration. The guide was a collaborative effort between SAVE-International and the Miles Value Foundation. It is an integral tool for value practitioners including newcomers interested in the value methodology and experienced facilitators looking for continuous improvement to their function analysis efforts. The book is available for purchase through the SAVE website.

 

The website also will link the conference proceedings and presentations. Look for additional information regarding the presenters, forums and keynotes. The photos are already linked for all to see the sights and proceedings of the Summit.

Mark your calendars for August 27-30, 2017, for next year’s Summit in the City of Brotherly Love. We will travel to historic Philadelphia to celebrate 70 years of Value.

See you there!