Historical Articles
May, 1954 issue of Plating
Why Attend AES Conventions?
. . . This question comes at a time when loyal AES-ers already have made plans to attend the Annual Society Convention in New York City this July. It comes at a time, too, when some members may be questioning whether the expense of going to an AES convention is justifiable. It is mostly to the latter group that these remarks are directed as well as to those employers who are attempting to justify this convention experience as a legitimate company expense item for an employee.
I do not pretend to be an expert in these matters; but, having been exposed repeatedly to the atmosphere of annual meetings of many engineering societies including the AES, I believe that I am somewhat qualified to present the following observations as pertinent:
(1) Information obtained and exchanged in face-to-face contacts in Educational Sessions and at informal get-togethers begets greater take-home payoff than is represented in the official program. Further, actually attending and taking part in a convention is certainly more advantageous than just reading a paper some months after it has been presented at a convention.
(2) Fellow members and their families from all parts of the world come to share the camaraderie and conviviality that an AES convention offers not only through its educational and business sessions, but also through a program of fun and entertainment.
(3) New friendships are made and old ones are renewed. It is not uncommon after one or two conventions to come away with at least a dozen or more first name friends upon whom you can rely when you need assistance.
(4) Another reason is the opportunity to see and learn firsthand how your Society functions. Important decisions are made which have an effect on each member and Branch as well as on the AES as a whole.
Of course, I can cite many other reasons for attending conventions—how, for example, many major changes of practice in plants and shops have take place years sooner than they would have otherwise as a result of information picked up in a conversation or from a meeting at an AES convention.
Dollar for dollar for value received, you cannot afford to miss an AES convention. As one who knows the advantages, I say it is an investment . . . an investment in the future of your Society, your company and the plating industry.
George Swift
President
