NACE International has released the advance program for CORROSION 2016, a guide for navigating its 71st annual conference that will be held on March 6 through 10, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The 2016 conference will offer the broad spectrum of corrosion-related technical, research, educational, public awareness, and networking activities that the corrosion industry has come to expect, as well as exciting new attractions specific to this conference.
More than 200 technical and administrative meetings will be held throughout the week, enabling members to work on standards and reports, exchange technical information, and manage association business. The technical program, with 41 symposia, will feature paper presentations on a wide range of corrosion topics. New this year are symposia focused on corrosion in oil sands, electrochemical corrosion control of steel in concrete, mechanisms of localized corrosion, oil and gas inhibitors for harsh environments, and more.
Special forums will address such topics as the need for a safety culture in pipeline work, innovations and advances in the water industry, and the new NACE International Institute Contractor Accreditation Program, NIICAP. A panel discussion will be held, where pipeline operators address key challenges and opportunities they are facing around the world, and the annual women in corrosion networking event will be in the format of a workshop on engaging women in leadership.
The accompanying NACE Expo will feature more than 320 companies displaying the latest in corrosion control products and services. The Expo Grand Opening—the most highly attended event each year—will kick off the CORROSION 2016 exhibition on Monday evening. In addition, the cathodic protection test field will return to the exhibit floor for a fifth year, and a new event, Corrosive Chronicles, will feature experienced corrosion professionals in a theater setting who will present their experiences on corrosion incidents in the field and lessons learned. Student posters will be displayed, with winners announced on Wednesday.
As always, numerous social opportunities are planned to help attendees expand their network of corrosion professionals. Networking activities kick off Saturday evening with Northern Lights and Bites, hosted by the NACE Northern Area’s Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto Sections. Popular annual events include the Sunday morning NACE Race to benefit the NACE Foundation, the Sunday evening Opening Night Reception, the 30 Below event on Monday night for students and new members under 30 years of age, the NACE Foundation’s Tuesday evening scholarship awards and Retro Rewind party, and the Wednesday evening Awards Dinner. The NACE Foundation will also host Casino Night Vancouver on Sunday night, as well as Wednesday’s Corrosion: Opportunities Realized mini-camp for local high school students, which is designed to educate and spread corrosion awareness to the next generation.
The complete advance program can be downloaded here.