// A LOOK BACK / A LOOK AHEAD continued from page 9
First European Web Coating and Web Handling (now R2R) Conference takes place in Prague, Czech Republic. Fifth edition of the AIMCAL Metallizing Technical Reference debuts. First US Web Coating and Web Handling Conference (now R2R Conference) merges previous Fall Technical Conference and AWEB Applied Web Handling Conference. Converting Quarterly publishes its first Buyers Guide in the fourthquarter edition. Issue reaches 120 pages.
2013
AIMCAL LinkedIn group (now open to anyone in the converting industry) reaches 500 members, includes current industry and member news, active discussion and jobs sections. AIMCAL hosts Pavilion and organizes technical conference for ICE Europe. Redesigned Website expands Members area with sections for Community & News, Technical Resources and Association Info.
2014
First Converting School courses become available online. AIMCAL presents second Web Coating & Handling Conference Europe, this time in Cascais, Portugal.
What makes AIMCAL so vibrant are the people. Engaged volunteers from a core group of committed member companies lead and serve on committees and help recruit speakers and present papers at our trio of R2R Conferences and other industry events. Our association would not be what it is today without our volunteers. We appreciate all they do. Technical expertise is provided by AIMCAL’s Technical Advisory Committee and shared with the industry via a dynamic network that includes international R2R (roll-toroll) Conferences, AIMCAL TV Webinars, Converting School courses and publications like the Metallizing Technical Reference and Converting Quarterly magazine.
What do you see as AIMCAL’s biggest challenges?
Kerscher: AIMCAL is a vigorous and healthy organization. Our present and future success revolves around our membership and our ability to serve and connect the industry. AIMCAL has a strong, committed group of members, but we are experiencing an accelerating knowledge drain as industry leaders retire and depart. As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary, we need to identify and engage the next generation of leaders to continue building on our strong foundation.
“Our association would not be what it is today without our volunteers. We appreciate all they do.”
The role of the industrial association is changing. As we look to grow our membership, AIMCAL must evolve so we continue providing valuable content and networking opportunities for member companies. There are many choices for events and information sharing. To maintain our leadership, AIMCAL will need to continue adding and upgrading capabilities as the world becomes more digital. We also are challenged to understand industry trends and provide tools to help members address rising concerns. One example is sustainability and compliance with related regulations. As changes occur in how business is done, AIMCAL must be ready with tools and information to support our members. Lastly, I’d say that AIMCAL’s membership represents many points across the supply chain and participates in a broad variety of markets. As we look to evolve and expand our benefits, we must find ways to provide content that meets the needs of this diverse group. With so many needs across the industry, and so many services that member
Forging closer ties with International Society for Coating Science & Technology (ISCST), AIMCAL assumes event management duties for its biennial symposium.
AIMCAL Awards 2019
10
// AIMCAL 50th Anniversary