Miscellaneous Musings from the Technical Director
Well, not really… I’ve actually already left Miami to return to NH. (I teach Tuesdays, and needed to get back for class. It’s ship strength night. Remember how to prepare shear and bending moment diagrams?) In any event, let me give you some thoughts about this year’s IBEX 2008.
As many of you may know, the “official” purpose for a trip to IBEX was my presentation on Chronic Propeller Problems. You’ll have to ask the participants for a review, but I was pleased with the interaction that I had with many members of the audience. As I always say at the beginning of every talk, I find the discussions to be as valuable as the presentation, and I continue to learn from every audience I work with.
The Speaker’s Lounge offered opportunity to catch up with many friends and colleagues, including Jack Hornor and fellow Sturgeon Bay naval architect and long-time NavCad user, Tim Graul. (Tim’s the true native, I only spent about 18 months in that delightful town.) Both Eric Sponberg and Don Blount were in fine form and looking good. And my thanks for the Kiwi hospitality of the folks at High Modulus for the great barbecue – and the instructions on the proper way to way eat sausage on a bun…
IBEX had a different “feeling” this year, a bit more serious perhaps. Curiously, however, I found it very interesting to hear a common theme from almost everyone I spoke with – “we’re doing very well, much better than others”. I never heard anyone say that they were part of the “others”. I’m not sure if the “others” just were not exhibiting, or if there actually are no “others” and that the industry at large is actually doing better than is being presented in the press. My take on this is that companies are doing well if they serve “industry”. On the other hand, companies that rely on “personal discretionary income” sales may be finding themselves in a bit of a challenging period.
The new Orca3D marine plug-in for Rhino was on display, with long-time colleagues Bruce Hays and Larry Leibman manning the booth. Steve Baer and Andres Gonzales of Rhino were also on hand. Great dinner conversation, too – clowns, Roman centurions, and Brasil versus Argentina (beyond the football pitch).
Well, before I close, I especially want to thank Barbara Jean Walsh (of the IBEX conference management) for her organizational efforts and good humor. (I know it is a particular burden to be a University of Maine hockey fan…) See you in 2009. Next stop, METS 2008 in Amsterdam.
Filed under: Events
