Feb. 2004
The festive atmosphere of Mardi Gras provided the perfect setting for Polycon 2004, the largest annual convention and trade show for representatives of the cast polymer industry. Joining in the revelry, 820 convention-goers filled the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans from February 19-21 to visit with exhibitors, network with colleagues, and attend educational seminars offered through the International Cast Polymer Alliance (ICPA).

HK Research Laboratory Manager Jerry Killian went to Polycon not only to gain insight about cast polymers, but also to give it to 65 cultured marble industry representatives who attended his session. The seminar, "Cultured Marble Patch and Repair," provided practical and technical information about how manufacturers can improve throughput by repairing defective castings as a cost-effective alternative to discarding them.

The benefits of being a seminar presenter for Killian are twofold. "I enjoy talking with other folks in the industry about situations they face every day in their facilities. The seminar helps them solve problems and provides useful information that I can take back to the lab to help us improve our products," says Killian. "HK Research has always been very customer oriented. I believe these seminars show that we want to help the manufacturer and can be an asset to their production process."

The International Cast Polymer Alliance has scheduled its next annual meeting, Polycon 2005, for February 17-19, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information about the ICPA, visit www.icpa-hq.org.