MEDIA RELEASE PR38958
Informex Specialty Chemical Conference Announces Keynote & Speakers
PRINCETON, N.J., Mar. 31 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Informex Show Management today announced the keynote speaker for the inaugural
Informex Specialty Chemicals Conference, to be held in Houston, Texas on May 11th,
will be Lee E. Mikles*, President and CEO of FutureFuel Corp., the leading US
manufacturer of biofuels and specialty chemicals. Launched in response to industry
feedback and consultation with the Informex Specialty Chemical Advisory Committee,
the Specialty Chemicals Conference seeks to provide a platform for the specialty and
industrial chemical industries to network and gather valuable information in one of
the most vibrant hubs of US chemical production.
Mr. Mikles' keynote address will examine overarching trends within the
specialties sector, explore growth opportunities and will look at how
industry changes have shaped individuals and their roles. Looking to the
future, he will then identify strategies for success in the post-recession
economic climate and discuss the market outlook for the next three to five
years.
In addition to this keynote session, the conference will feature a
tabletop exhibition and two panel discussions that will examine key industry
issues in greater depth. The first session will evaluate the latest
strategies for sourcing and chemical tolling projects both domestically and
internationally, with a critique of current business strategies and a review
of issues such as cost comparison, accessibility, depth of product line and
quality. The second panel will focus on capitalizing on a new market for your
products, navigating production flow across different markets and evaluating
the strike points in growing markets. The session aims to enable participants
to forge new strategic partnerships that facilitate diversification.
Panelists include experts from Shell Global Solutions, Huntsman, Syrgis, Air
Products and DSM, while initial tabletop exhibitors include Bayer Technology
Services, FutureFuel, KMCO, Louisiana Chemical Equipment and MFG Chemical.
The conference will be concluded by two in-depth case studies, one focusing
on how to use the most efficient technology in day-to-day operations that
will enhance business, including catalysis, continuous processing and
microprocessing, the other looking at the regenerative cycle of chemicals and
how to minimize waste. The event will be chaired by SOCMA President, Lawrence
D. Sloan, who commented: "We are pleased to be working with UBM on launching
the first-ever Informex Specialty Chemical Conference in Houston this spring.
Texas is a major hub for chemical companies and home to the second largest
number of SOCMA members. We are looking forward to a great turnout and a
successful event."
Informex Brand Director Jennifer Jessup added: "Online conference
registration has only just opened but we are already very pleased with the
number of delegates registering, and their company profiles and positions in
the industry. We are delighted to have such a high caliber keynote speaker in
Lee Mikles, great panelists in our conference sessions and Larry Sloan from
SOCMA as chair person to make this a 'must attend' event for companies in the
specialties sector."
The full conference program and registration details can be found at
*Notes for Editors
Lee E. Mikles has been the president, chief executive officer and a
member of the board of FutureFuel Corp., since its inception in 2005.
Mr. Mikles was chairman of Mikles/Miller Management, Inc., a registered
investment adviser and home to the Kodiak family of funds, between 1992 and
2005. He was also chairman of Mikles/Miller Securities, LLC, a registered
broker-dealer, between 1999 and 2005.
Additionally, Mr. Mikles has served on the board of directors of Pacific
Capital Bankcorp., Official Payments Corporation, Coastcast Corporation,
Nelnet, Inc., Imperial Bank and Imperial Bancorp. He currently serves on the
board of directors of Boss Holdings, Inc. and is the chair of the audit
committee for Boss Holdings, Inc.
In 2008 Mr. Mikles was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association. The
Association is comprised of members who have achieved success over adversity.
The organization strives to provide scholarship assistance to deserving young
people who have demonstrated integrity and determination in overcoming
adversity and to mentor the recipients and educate youth about the limitless
possibilities that are available through the American free enterprise system,
while underscoring the importance of service to others.
Mr. Mikles resides in Santa Barbara, California with his wife and three
children.
UBM International Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Business
Media plc (LSE: UBM) a leading provider of business information services to
the maritime, travel, fashion, technology, healthcare, media, and property
industries. UBM offers services in trade shows, online, news distribution,
and publishing to customers across the globe. Its brands are represented in
more than 30 countries and are organized into specialist teams that serve
their business communities helping them excel in their market by working
effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to
About Informex - Organized by UBM International Media, Informex is the
leading meeting place for buyers and sellers of high-value chemistry for a
broad range of applications. As the leading fine chemical tradeshow in the
United States, InformexUSA has been a marketplace for networking and doing
business in the fine, custom and specialty chemical manufacturing industry
for more than 26 years. Informex is produced in conjunction with SOCMA, and
the event brings significant value both to SOCMA (www.socma.com) and its
SOURCE: Informex
CONTACT: Company: Jennifer Jessup,
Brand Director,
UBM International Media,
+1-609-759-4707,
jennifer.jessup@ubm.com;
or Media: Richard Kerns,
Impress PR,
+44(0)161-728-5880,
richard@impress-pr.com
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