Why Don’t They?... I Did!

• Certification and training program, from Kansas Farmers Service Assn., Hutchinson KS, Scott Anderson, vice president, risk management
• In-house fall-protection system, Blanchard Valley Farmers Co-op, Findlay, Ohio, Gale Berry, branch manager

What’s New?”

• Belt manlift training options from Perma Tron Elevator Inc., Denison, TX, Michael Hauber, vice president
• Ultra Scoop from Sudenga Industries, George, IA., Lyle Hollander, vice president of marketing
• Diacon D from Central Life Sciences, Nampa, ID, Randy Scott, market development manager
• Browning Torque Taper Plus C-face speed reducer from Emerson Power Transmission, Overland Park KS, John Ahart, grain and biofuels industry manager
• Tuff Tube from Mill & Elevator Supply/Rubber Belting & Hose, Kansas City MO., Mark Dohnalek, president
• Brock Commercial Tower Dryer from Brock Grain Systems, Milford, IN, David Wernsing,
  strategic accounts manager
• Integra Tower Boot from Integra Plastics, Madison SD, Jeany Hesse, sales representative
• Chief Titan 1.1 from Chief Agri/Industrial Div., Kearney NB, Steve Ginter, marketing manager
• Electronic Canary from Sensor Development Corp., Parma OH, Rocky Mansfield, vice president product development
• MHT-1500 Mobile Heat Treatment Unit from Temp-Air, Burnsville, MN, Dr. Raj Hulasare, senior scientist
• mVM 001 Vibration Monitor from CMC Industrial Electronics, Burnaby, B.C., Canada, Doug Forst, president
• CIDETRAK-IMM from Industrial Fumigant Co., Olathe, KS, Jerry Heath, product manager
• Micron Hammermill from Carter Day/Jacobson, Minneapolis, Clarence Heckert, vice president agribusiness sales Canada

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

With more than 50 speakers and 33 hours of programming the Exchange’s educational sessions offer something of value to all who attend. The Exchange 2008 education program is going to be, hands down, the largest in Exchange history. It will feature more than 50 different speakers and offer some 33 hours of focused presentations—all deliberately geared to topics of interest to professionals in the grain-operations industry.

In addition to the expo hall pods, the opening workshop and Idea Exchange the program will include 45-minute long presentations on many topics including the following:

• Global Impact of the Ethanol Boom (ñ)
• Rail Safety: Anytime is train time
• Storage and material-handling considerations for dried distillers grains
• Fall Protection — Do We Really Have A Program? (ñ)
• OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program
• Non-Confined Space Engulfment Risks
• The Transportation Workers Identification Credentials Program (TWIC)
• Starting At The Top: Bin-Roof Maintenance (ñ)

And much more!

(ñ) = session available in Spanish

MYRICK REFLECTS ON PAST YEAR

FEED & GRAIN caught up with outgoing GEAPS International President Mike Myrick, of Clymers Ethanol, Logansport, IN, and asked his appraisal of the Exchange 2008 and the GEAPS organization.

F&G: What can attendees expect from this year’s Exchange?

Myrick: They can expect educational programming that delivers the type of information and practical knowledge that is meaningful and can make a difference in their business. From opening workshops to the Educational Sessions and the Pod Programs, the takeaway value is outstanding.

F&G: With more than 300 exhibitors this will be by far the largest Exchange ever, what’s driving the growth?

Myrick: A few years ago GEAPS reached out to the membership to seek ways to improve the meeting. They clearly stated the desire for more hands-on educational opportunities, and the Pod concept is a direct result of that input, so I think we’ve done a better job of tuning in to our members needs.

F&G: What excites you most about GEAPS and the industry in general?

Myrick: I hope we keep growing and break attendance and exhibitor records each year. Realistically, I’m very excited about GEAPS’ commitment to education and uncovering other new ways to add value for our membership. Our Distance Learning partnership with Purdue University is a great example of using non-traditional methods to get critical information into people’s hands.