Achieving excellence in the nuclear industry poses a challenge to every utility, large or small, particularly in light of increased performance expectations and heightened budgetary concerns. Doing so with an eye on cost-effectiveness only multiplies our challenge – and the difficulties increase exponentially. But excellence on a budget is achievable. Join your USA peers this year at Amelia Island, Florida, in “Cost Effective Excellence: 2014 Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo” set for August 10-14, 2014.
This year’s American Nuclear Society conference, whose lead sponsor is the Utilities Service Alliance (USA), promises to deliver the latest industry information, leveraging learning opportunities through this year’s seven tracks. Each track was developed by a USA team member to provide practical, hands-on sessions designed to meet your organization’s standards of excellence and educational requirements.
“We’ve experienced tremendous support from USA member organizations in developing the conference and anticipate the same level of industry support in participation as in the past,” said Program Chairman and PPL Susquehanna Maintenance General Manager William ‘Bill’ Bishop. “Participants at last year’s conference commented on the quality and quantity of benchmarking and networking opportunities to which they were afforded. At Amelia Island in 2014, we expect the same to be true.“
This year, Bill said that compelling learning sessions have been developed to deliver leading-edge information and relevant topics available at no other conference – and believes participants will find they’ve succeeded.
Co-General Chairs of this year’s event are Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of PPL Susquehanna Timothy Rausch and President and Chief Nuclear Officer of PSEG Thomas P. Joyce. Assistant Program Chairs include Marilyn Kray, Vice President, Exelon Partners, LLC, and Thomas Remick, Transient Analysis Section Leader from Arizona Public Service.
As lead sponsor for this event, USA and its representatives serve as track leaders for Executive, Maintenance and Business sessions and have lined-up an impressive slate of presenters, facilitators and panelists from across the industry. Examples of sessions that demonstrate our pursuit of relevant topics for this year’s conference include:
- Regulatory impacts and leadership skills necessary to remain viable and competitive in the current economic environment with “Performance that Drives Cost-Effective Excellence”
- The nation’s foremost expert in safely suspending/moving heavy loads delivers “Rigging for Success”
- Industry challenges that affect every nuclear generator are brought to light in “Issues with Power Market Structure that Affect Nuclear Plant Profitability”
- Explore how remote devices are saving stations dose, time and money with “Nuclear Progress through Technology”
- Leadership skills and decisions can and do impact operational excellence. See how through real life examples of cost decisions impacting performance with “Leadership that Drives Cost-Effective Excellence”
- Learn how departments who are constantly challenged to match required work with the capability to complete work achieve success with “Establishing a Risk Based Accountability for Work Load Management”
- The Industry’s average for critical component failure is about one per quarter, however for many stations, the amount of urgent/emergent work is increasing. Change this with “Reducing Urgent/Emergent Work that Disrupts Work Schedules”
USA stations have actively participated in the development of conference tracks and Bill believes that each are so compelling, you and members of your team will have a difficult time deciding which sessions to attend.
“You’ll be pleased with the range and diversity of the tracks and sessions – topped off by an outstanding Vendor Technology Exposition which allows you to speak directly to vendors and suppliers about how they can help your organization get the right results,” said Bill.
To register for the Conference online, simply click the ANS link (http://www.ans.org/meetings/m_143).
Cost Effective Excellence: It’s achievable through ANS, USA and you.