When you think of technical conferences, images of listening to technical presentations, perusing poster exhibits, or networking at a crowded happy hour probably come to mind. These industry gathering places are important for sharing technical content. But what if there were a way to turn such events into a platform that could be leveraged as a professional development tool for an entire industry? A look at the polyurethanes industry reveals how it successfully leverages its annual event to attract and develop new talent.
Annually for 60 years, polyurethanes professionals convened for a technical conference, sharing the industry’s latest developments, insights, and scientific advancements about how downstream industries use polyurethane chemistry. While similar conferences take place all the time, one thing stands out about the American Chemistry Council’s Center for Polyurethanes Industry’s (CPI) Polyurethanes Technical Conference: a focus on workforce development.
Each year, the CPI Polyurethane Technical Conference offers between eight and 10 technical courses over four days. Together, these courses are known as the Polyurethanes Professional Development Program (PDP). The PDP offers a range of professionals the background they need to enhance their job performance and to learn about different aspects of this complex industry. Dozens of companies send representatives year after year to take part in these courses.
Answering an Industry Need
CPI has offered different versions of the PDP for more than 10 years. The concept for the program evolved out of a desire to build understanding across the complex polyurethanes industry and its users. CPI wanted to offer a professional development program at the premier industry event to make it easier for participants to attend the educational courses. Instead of participants traveling twice, they could get technical information and professional development all in the same place once a year.
In developing the courses, CPI carefully designed the content to appeal to professionals with diverse backgrounds and career levels, from new professionals to executives. Courses range from an introduction to the science of polyurethanes (known as PU-101), to a more detailed analysis on coatings and elastomer chemistry (known as PU-104B) that has become a staple of the PDP in recent years.
In addition, CPI’s member company leadership often rolls out new courses. This year, for instance, there are new courses related to the growing flexible foam and rigid polyurethane foam markets. The new course content is intended to be accessible to people even outside the polyurethanes industry. The more content offered each year, the better the program becomes. CPI adds new courses when there is a need and participants have an appetite to learn about a new innovative topic.
One important element of the PDP is that seasoned industry professionals, dedicated to sharing their knowledge with the next generation, teach all classes. In fact, PDP instructors come from the leading suppliers, producers, and distributors of chemicals and equipment used to make polyurethane, and manufacturers of polyurethane products. Having this level of expertise available demonstrates the seriousness of the program and helps attract participants, especially those new to the industry.
Demand Leads to Expansion
The importance and saliency of the professional development conference focus speaks for itself. Approximately 30 percent of the conference’s more than 1,000 attendees participate in the Polyurethanes PDP. Many of these are first-time conference attendees who are also new to the industry—the program has served as a draw for these new professionals. In fact, one comment consistently heard in feedback is these courses help “fill in the knowledge gaps,” especially for new professionals.
Moreover, informal conference polls during the last three years have shown the Polyurethanes PDP was rated among the Top 3 reasons people attend the conference. The industry demand for these courses was so great that just last year, CPI expanded the Polyurethanes PDP into a broader program called the CPI Education Center. Now the industry has year-round access to courses and Webinars that share information on new research and innovative technology, standards, and regulatory actions, and topics in chemistry, measurement, and performance, building on the learning opportunities that were previously only available during the annual conference.
Since its launch, the Education Center has hosted 11 Webinars, including a three-part series on methods for polyurethane raw materials analysis. All have been well attended and reviewed by industry members.
Both the PDP courses at the conference and the live Webinars throughout the year increase the value CPI delivers to its members.
Onsite courses at the conference:
- Allow members to stay informed on the latest industry trends and innovation.
- Create peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities within the industry.
Live and on-demand Webinars:
- Bring convenience and efficiency to continuing education, allowing members to learn right from their offices.
- Provide an opportunity for recent industry developments to be shared with members as they happen throughout the year.
Lessons Learned
By making sure our major industry conference has a specialized focus on training, we help to ensure the entire industry benefits. When that training inspires companies to send their new professionals to attend, you know it is considered a value-add.
CPI’s Polyurethanes PDP and Education Center offer a clear example of how an industry can leverage its resources for the benefit of all. And one ideal above all has made CPI’s program successful: a focus on developing the future workforce. The CPI conference offers quality content and leverages seasoned professionals. Together, these elements create an attractive learning platform for professionals at all levels and from all backgrounds. In turn, this breeds a great place for nurturing new professionals and finding new recruits.
Lee Krinzman is manager of industry affairs for the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council. The mission of CPI is to promote the growth of the North American polyurethanes industry through effective advocacy, delivery of compelling benefits messages demonstrating how polyurethanes deliver sustainable outcomes, and creation of robust safety education and product stewardship programs. For more information on the CPI Education Center, visit: https://polyurethane.americanchemistry.com/CPI-Education-Center/
