2023 SOCMA Summit & Annual Meeting

Summit Agenda
(Subject to Change)

 

Sunday, November 5


SOCMA Executive Committee & Board Dinner
4:00pm-6:00pm SOCMA Executive Committee Meeting
 
Feliciana East/West
6:30pm SOCMA Board of Governors Dinner
Meet in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm CT.

 
Off-Site

Monday, November 6


SOCMA Board of Governors
8:30am - 9:00am Board of Governors Breakfast
Feliciana East/West - 10th Floor 
 

 
9:00am - 12:00pm Board of Governors Meeting
Feliciana East/West - 10th Floor 
 

 
SOCMA Summit 
12:00pm - 6:00pm Registration Open
Parish Hall - 10th Floor
 

 
12:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch
Louisiana Ballroom - 10th Floor
 

 

Concurrent Sessions
1:30pm - 3:00pm 1101: Toolbox Talks - Building Safety Culture from Lessons Learned
La Fourche & Pointe Coupee - 9th Floor

Join a fast-paced, highly interactive small group discussion led by recipients of SOCMA’s Safety Recognition Program. Tap into the wealth of collective wisdom amongst your peers to develop actionable strategies that drive safety excellence within your organization.

Manufacturing & Operations
1:30pm - 3:00pm 1102: Executive Fishbowl
Feliciana East / West - 9th Floor

Engage in thought-provoking discussions, uncover common challenges and creative solutions, and strengthen your network in the dynamic and evolving world of batch and specialty chemical manufacturing.
(Open to Manufacturing Executives Only)

Moderator: 
Alan Dyke, Boulder Scientific Company
 
Business Leadership
1:30pm - 3:00pm 1103: Building Bonds - Getting Inside the Minds of SOCMA Members

With specialty chemical manufacturers facing economic challenges and budgets tight, it’s more important than ever for industry service providers to understand their most pressing needs and how they can provide solutions. This is your opportunity to hear directly from SOCMA team members who are on the front lines with these companies to glean a better understanding of how you can break through the noise and get their attention.
 
 
Break
3:00pm - 3:30pm Coffee and Networking Break
9th Floor Foyer
 

 
Concurrent Sessions
3:30pm - 5:00pm 1201: International Trade - Strategies for Establishing Import and Export Programs
La Fourche & Pointe Coupee - 9th Floor

Discover actionable stategies to successfully establish an import and export program tailored to the specialty chemical manufacturing industry. This practical session will provide attendees with a concrete understanding of the common import and export challenges and solutions that they can take back to their facilities.
 
Policy - Chemical Supply Chain Management
3:30pm - 5:00pm 1202: Facility Permitting - How to Plan in the Environmental Justice Era
St. Landry - 9th Floor

Gain valuable insights, practical strategies, and expert guidance on navigating the permitting process with a focus on environmental justice. Attendees will gain a better understanding of EPA's focus on environmental justice and what it means for chemical manufacturers, as well as real-world examples of the implementation of environmental justice at the state and local level.

Speakers: Devin Barry, Partner, Thompson Hine LLP; Sandy Cernick, President, Pressure Chemical
 
Manufacturing & Operations
3:30pm - 5:00pm 1203: Planning for Facility Expansion and Investment

Speaker: Ross Gale, International Process Plants
Commercial - Business Planning

 

Evening Programs
5:30pm - 7:00pm Opening Reception Sponsored by Black Bay Energy

 

 
7:00pm - 8:30pm Emerging Leaders Reception

 
 

 

Tuesday, November 7


SOCMA Summit 
7:45am  Registration Opens
 

 
7:45am - 8:45am Breakfast
 
 

 

Morning Programs
8:30am - 9:00am Annual Business Meeting
 
Business Meeting
 
9:00am - 9:45am View from Capital Hill - Critical Political Intelligence for the Specialty Chemical Industry

Uncover exclusive insights into federal agency activities and gain critical intelligence about the Administration's priorities for the remaining months. This session will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape in Congress and the Administration, and the pressures shaping every facet of the specialty chemical industry.

Speakers: Robert F. Helminiak, SOCMA; Genevieve Strand, SOCMA
General Session
 
 

 

 

Concurrent Sessions Block 
10:00am - 11:00am Artificial Intelligence in Chemical Manufacturing - Transforming Growth & Efficiencies
La Fourche & Pointe Coupee - 9th Floor

In the realm of chemical manufacturing, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing every aspect of the industry. Join us for an illuminating session led by renowned AI expert Shaun Ensor, as he explores the profound impact of AI on growth and operational efficiencies within the chemical manufacturing landscape.

Speaker: Shaun Ensor, PB Engineering Services Limited
 
Manufacturing & Operations 
10:00am - 11:00am Preparing for Inspections - Strategies to Ensure Readiness
St. Landry - 9th Floor

Obtain expert guidance on navigating government inspections, common pitfalls during the process and proactive risk assessment strategies to identify potential compliance gaps and hazards before inspectors identify them.

Speaker: Mini Kapoor, Haynes Boone
 
Manufacturing & Operations
10:00am - 11:00am Capital Market Outlooks for 2023 and Beyond

Speakers:
Heather Errigo, Lynx Investment Advisory, LLC; Vipin Sahijwani, Lynx Investment Advisory, LLC

Commercial - Business Planning

 

SOCMA Summit 
11:00am - 11:15am Coffee and Networking Break
 

 

 

General Session
11:15am - 12:15pm Crisis Communications - Equipping your Company for Effective Communications in Emergencies
Louisiana Ballroom - 10th Floor

This interactive session will ensure that employees at all levels are ready to navigate challenging situations with confidence and professionalism. You'll be divided into small groups to work through scenarios and hone the skills and knowledge necessary to communicate effectively during a crisis, ensure the safety of all stakeholders, and protect the organization's reputation.

Speaker: Rachel Coffman, Coffman Collaborative
General Session

 

SOCMA Summit 
12:15pm - 1:00pm Lunch
 
Louisiana Ballroom
 

 

General Session
1:00pm - 2:00pm Strategic Insights - Finding Business with Commercial Intelligence and Best Practices
Louisiana Ballroom - 10th Floor

Hear valuable commercial intelligence and industry trends to help participants position themselves and their organizations for sustainable growth and position themselves for success in the specialty chemical market.

Speakers: Erika Krueger, SOCMA; Bob Girton, Edgewater Capital Partners; Kevin Yttre, Grace Matthews
General Session

 

SOCMA Summit 
2:00pm - 2:15pm Coffee and Networking Break
 

 

 

Concurrent Sessions
2:15pm - 3:25pm Hot Topics in Supply Chain and Procurement
La Fourche & Pointe Coupee

Stay ahead in the evolving landscape of supply chain and procurement, enhance your understanding of emerging trends, best practices, and learn innovative approaches that can ease supply chain challenges for your facility.
 
 
2:15pm - 3:25pm Hot Topics in Environment, Health, and Safety
St. Landry

Gain insight on the latest trends and challenges in EHS, stay informed and proactive in creating safer work environments, minimizing risks, and driving regulatory compliance at your facility.
 
 
2:15pm - 3:25pm Top 10 Steps to Improve Your KPIs
Feliciana East/West - 10th Floor

Learn from experts who focus on employee engagement and retention with approaches and insights that get to the root of discontent, poor morale, and miscommunication, the key factors in employee turnover. Attendees will walk away with a “Top 10” checklist they can take back to examine and improve their company performance, regardless of company size.

Speakers: Kristin Donnelly, Abbey Research; Erin Hinston, Abbey Research
Commercial - Leadership

 

SOCMA Summit 
3:25pm - 3:35pm Networking Break
 
 

 

Concurrent Sessions
3:35pm - 4:30pm Understanding the North American Landscape - Insights for the Specialty Chemical Industry
La Fourche & Pointe Coupee - 9th Floor

Attendees will leave this session with a more thorough understanding of the regulatory intricacies and operational considerations within the specialty chemical industry across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Armed with these insights, participants will be better equipped to make informed decisions, optimize operations, and navigate the evolving landscape of the North American market.
 
Policy
3:35pm - 4:30pm Mastering Root Cause Analysis - Tactics for Effective Incident Investigation and Prevention
St. Landry - 9th Floor

Enhance your skills and expertise in conducting thorough root cause analyses, and develop the confidence to investigate incidents, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions. In this session, attendees will walk through a mock root cause analysis to learn tips and tricks for every step of the process.

Speaker: Sarah Williams, SOCMA
 
Manufacturing & Operations
3:35pm - 4:30pm Best Practices to Maximize your EBITDA during Market Variability
Feliciana East/West - 10th Floor

In today's dynamic business landscape, organizations need to adopt robust strategies to optimize their facilities and enhance their EBITDA performance, In this comprehensive program, attendees will gain valuable insights into the best practices that can help them effectively manage their facilities and maximize EBITDA even amidst market fluctuations.

Speakers: Tom Ambrose, Black Bay; Jimmy Jet, Integrity BioChem
Commercial - Business Planning
 

 

 

 

Evening Programs
4:30pm - 5:30pm Break
 
 
5:30pm - 6:30pm Networking Reception Parish Hall
6:30pm - 8:00pm Dinner & Recognition Louisiana Ballroom

 

Wednesday, November 8


SOCMA Summit 
8:30am - 9:30am Breakfast
 
Louisiana Ballroom

 

TSCA Compliance
9:00am - 1:00pm TSCA Compliance Workshop (Additional Fee)

In this session, we will delve into the complexities of complying with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and explore effective strategies for chemical manufacturers to ensure regulatory compliance. This is a must-attend session to enhance your understanding of TSCA requirements, mitigate risks, and develop practical and effective strategies to ensure regulatory adherence in your chemical manufacturing operations.
 
Feliciana East & West