The Polyurethane Foam Association will offer a hybrid meeting format for its May 26-27 gathering in St. Petersburg, Fla., with an option of live, online streaming.
The in-person gathering will be at the Vinoy Renaissance. Online and in-person details are available at pfa.org/2021-spring-meeting.
The hybrid format is a result of PFA member poll conducted earlier this spring, when members strongly favored this approach for their spring meeting.
The Vinoy Renaissance has limited capacity with protocols in place to enhance safety.
"From the moment we opened the registration website, we had people signing up to come to the live meeting," said Russ Batson, PFA executive director. "Many people are eager to get back to networking and attending conferences. I've had several people comment that the constrained schedule of industry events last year made them realize how much they enjoy getting together and interacting with colleagues and peers."
The meeting will focus on isocyanates, auto industry trends, regulatory topics and raw material and logistic/supply line challenges. There will be expert talks on flexible foam formulations, manufacturing and recycling as well. Author and 2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist Stephen Vogel also will speak, focusing in part on his book "Betrayal in Berlin: The True Story of the Cold War's Most Audacious Espionage Operation."
This year marks the PFA's 40th anniversary.
"We wanted to provide our membership with as much flexibility as possible, because we're still in a very fluid situation," said PFA President Chip Holton, of NCFI Polyurethanes Inc. "We have the technology available to connect other members who may not be there in person, but can participate and contribute remotely."