Is it really Monday already?
Today was another busy day. Did I get everywhere that I wanted to? No. Did I find value in where I went? Absolutely.
The day started with the opening session. Unfortunately, I was too tired to sit in a dark room, so after 9, I walked over to the exhibit hall and started walking around. I also got a chance to get a book personally autographed by Denise Robitaille (for free!) from Paton Press. Then I got to spend some time with my friend Eric, who promised I could get my picture taken in the BMW at the automotive division booth. Eric also convinced me to go see the featured speaker, Dan Korem, talk about Profiling. I had planned to attend a session on periodicals writing that overlapped it. While I was interested in the writing session, I am glad that I went to see Dan speak. I also purchased his book on profiling. I think that I can use his tools to try to improve the performance on some of the teams that I work on. The conference sessions I attended were on the Baldrige criteria, and supplier management.
After that things got a little crazy. The ECD had an after 5 session - I got to present about the RoHS technical committee, followed by a mad dash from the other end of the OCCC to the Rosen Center Hotel for a meeting of the research committee at the Executive Rountable Reception. Then, it was time for the Biomedical and FD&C joint dinner at Sleuths. We got to see the Squire's Inn. I won't tell you whodunnit, but perhaps Danny Whelan can tell you.
I mentioned last night that ASQ friendships really meant a lot to me. Today was a day that really highlighted that for me. I feel really lucky to have made the friendships I have here. However, what really means the most is that I have made friends that won't disappear when the conference is over. Perhaps lack of sleep is making me somewhat sentimental, but at a conference on quality, I don't want to mention quality of life. Friendship is a big component in that equation.
