2008 Annual International Meeting

Resource, Sep 2008 by Landeck, Dolores

Convening just ahead of the U.S. Independence Day celebration, in a historic city known for its embrace of religious and cultural diversity, ASABE's 2008 Annual International Meeting, in Providence, R.I., drew more than 1,500 attendees from around the globe.

On Monday morning, AE50 award winners were recognized for achievement in product engineering. The AE50 presentations were followed by this year's keynote address by marketing executive Patrick Hanlon. What makes one product or brand "sticky" and another forgettable? In his remarks, Hanlon, author of Primal Branding: Create Zealots for Your Brand, Your Company and Your Future, offered much to contemplate in terms of the profession's own identity. Hanlon asserted that at the core of a brand is a belief system, and the elements of that belief system - a creation story, creed, icons, rituals, nonbelievers, language, and a leader - can be effectively applied to the profession.

This year's technical program included a special Centennial Session on Advances in Soil and Water Engineering, which comprised five invited presentations that showcased past accomplishments and exciting new initiatives by agricultural and biological engineers.

"Bioenergy Day," organized by the T-Il Energy Committee, featured a full day of oral and poster presentations - all very well attended - that provided provocative, informative content on current research, technology, and challenges associated with bioenergy development.

This year's Distinguished Lecture welcomed Jack Wiley and Reed Turner, who addressed "Power Hop Instability in Tractors," a phenomenon that can be influenced by tire inflation pressure. Lower inflation pressure not only controls power hop, it also increases tractor productivity and fuel economy, and reduces soil compaction and tire wear. (see Resource, July 2008, for more information.)

In the 2008 Fountain Wars Competition, six schools were represented: Kansas State, Purdue University, Texas A&M, University of Florida, University of Illinois, and University of Tennessee. Texas A&M took top honors, followed by Kansas State and the University of Illinois.

The ASABE Robotics Competition challenged teams to develop small-scale robotic timber harvesters capable of collecting trees of varying diameter, in a manner similar to a feller buncher. Teams from Kansas State University, Texas A&M, and University of Illinois participated in the contest, which was won by KSU.

Another student competition, the ASABE100 Multi-Media Competition for High School Students, brought three national finalists to Providence, where they gave oral presentations in which they identified the top engineering challenge of the next 50 years. Louis Teng of Silver Spring, Md., won the contest and a top prize of $4,000.

Adding luster to the week's activities was Hall of Fame broadcaster Orion Samuelson, speaker at the Foundation Gala Dinner. In his remarks, he applauded the profession for its contributions to advancements in agriculture, noting that agricultural and biological engineering is fully capable of meeting new challenges as they emerge, including finding solutions to energy needs. "Never question that you can do it," Samuelson urged. "You can do it."

On Saturday evening, just prior to the opening of the Annual Meeting, many members enjoyed a unique, canal-side summer event in Providence called "Waterfire," where music and small bonfires are combined for an unusual sunset attraction. Food vendors of all kinds could be found along the route, although many ASABE members opted for catered fare at a specially organized VIP tent.

Two changes in the meeting program were well received by meeting attendees. The traditional Sunday welcome reception was moved up to late afternoon, an adjustment that freed attendees to make evening dinner plans. Also, the traditional Wednesday Awards Luncheon was trimmed, with a portion of it being incorporated into a Tuesday luncheon combining some of the awards presentations with the annual ASABE Business Meeting. The change significantly shortened the Wednesday event.

Throughout the first two days of the meeting, the Young Professionals Community kept the mood lively. Their "Pedal Power" contest first pitted a half dozen members against each other in a friendly fundraising competition. Meeting attendees were asked to stuff the ballot boxes - with cash. The top vote getters then competed in a pedal-tractor race. Qualifying for the pedal race were Mary Leigh Wolfe and Chuck Roth and staff members Mark Crossley and Travis Tsunemori. Roth outpedaled Tsunemori across the finish line to claim top honors.

Dolores C. Landeck, ASABE Director of Public Affairs, St. Joseph, Mich., USA; landeck@ asabe.org.