ASQ 2008 World Conference on Quality and Improvement

Hello folks!  I arrived in Houston on Tue, Apr 29 to start my 10 short days of ASQ events!

I got here early for several reasons.  First of all, I have a client with 2 offices in Houston, so I've incorporated 2 Internal Audits into this visit.  First branch is being audited in 2 parts.  I completed the first half this morning and will finsih up next Wed after the conference ends. 

Then, after a short nap (yes, I took a nap), it was off to the Office of the President OOPs) meeting in preparation for tomorrow's Board of Directors (BoD) meeting.  Nothing really eventful to report from that meeting.  As this was my first time at a OOPs it was more observation / listening.  Contrary to myth, this meeting is to provide an overview of what's to come at the BoD meeting and that is just what we received. 

I will share some logistics with you.  The Hilton's America Hotel, primary hotel site for the conference, is situated across from the George Brown Convention Center & connected by sky-bridges and is sandwiched between Minute Maid Stadium (home of the Houston Astros) and Toyota Center (home of the Houston Rockets).  The Skyview restaurant here in the Hilton was excellent, a bit pricey but worth the price.  I recommend the Fish and Chips (it was Ahi Tuna, not your typical fried fish and quite delicious).  I haven't had much time to explore but there is plenty around here to keep us busy during those few free minutes we might find.  Looking forward to seeing those of you that will be with us and for those who don't make it to Houston...stay posted!

Posted by David Levy at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi, my name is David Levy.  I've been asked by ASQ to be one of this years WCQI bloggers.

Let me tell you a bit about myself and what I'll be doing with this blog.  I am an ASQ Senior member.  I have achieved 4 ASQ certifications (CMQ/OE, CQE, CQA, CQIA) plus I am an RABQSA Provisional Auditor.  Currently I serve you, the ASQ members, as a Director on the Board of Directors.  I am also the Vice Chair of the Section Affairs Council (SAC), Regional Director for Region 3 (which covers parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) and Chair of the SMP (Section Management Process) committee.  I serve on a number of other committees and task forces including working with the Education and Training Initiative and the Nominating Committee.

In my real life I am a Quality Consultant.  I work with several clients to develop and maintain their Quality Management Systems.

I will be in Houston, TX from Tue, April 29 through Thu, May 8.  Part of this visit will include Internal Audits for one of my clients.  Most of the time, though will be involved with ASQ activities.  These activities include:

• Board of Directors meeting
• SAC/DAC joint meeting
• Ideas to Action Gathering
• Leadership Institute (member leader training)
• SAC meeting
• and finally the World Conference on Quality and Improvement itself.

My intention here is to share with you my experiences throughout these events.

Well, that's it for now...I'll bring you more beginning May 1, 2008!

Regards,

David

Posted by David Levy at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I will be arriving in Houston on Wednesday, April 30th to be there in time for the board meeting on May 1st, and staying in town through the end of the conference. In addition to the board meeting, I will be attending/moderating/leading member leader activities on Saturday, and committee and division meetings on Sunday before the conference begins.

While I won't be a conference moderator again this year, I will be leading a Women in Quality Networking Session, plus an After Five on Lean for Your Life, so I am looking forward to "relaxing" at the conference after Monday.

To go a little backwards here, rather than introducing myself again, I am going to refer you to last year's conference blog. Not much has changed, but Matthew and Hannah are now 4 and 6, and I have a new hobby - beading. I am currently leading the Membership Committee, and a founding member of the Women in Quality Network. I am also involved with the Customer-Supplier Division working on their newsletter.

I am looking forward to bringing you notes from this year's pre-conference and conference events!

Aimee Siegler

Posted by Aimee Siegler at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)