On behalf of the New Orleans Local Conference Committee I would like to extend a warm and open invitation to attend the 59th annual PCIC technical conference, which is returning to the New Orleans Marriott Hotel on Canal Street.  Located in the heart of downtown, the New Orleans Marriott is a newly renovated conference hotel with breathtaking views of the French Quarter and mighty Mississippi River.

Where is New Orleans (pronounced “New or-lee-uhnz” or just “N’awlins”) you ask?  Well Dahlin’, New Orleans is located at a magical crossroads of culture, architecture, music, dining, shopping, gaming, sports and of course… nightlife.  Speaking of nightlife, did you know on Christmas night 1884, Thomas Alva Edison’s 25 watt incandescent light bulbs amazed the world by lighting the World Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans’ Audubon Park?  Shortly thereafter, Mr. Edison personally supervised the lighting of Canal Street.  And thanks to the diverse residents of our city, including several generations of electrical engineers following in Mr. Edison’s footsteps, our city is even brighter and more welcoming today than it was 127 years ago.

As an annual venue for learning opportunities from the technical paper presentations and tutorials that are directly related to practical applications in your business, PCIC continues to represent a tremendous value.  In fact, the registration fee is lower than many other professional conferences.  However, the value extends beyond the conference through the enduring professional relationships that are facilitated by the numerous networking opportunities.  If you want to meet the influential electrical engineers in the Petroleum and Chemical industries, PCIC is the venue to make those introductions.  And if you want to help make a difference in your industry, there are opportunities to participate on technical papers, tutorials, codes and standards, PCIC subcommittees, etc.  As previous attendees already know, PCIC is first and foremost a highly professional technical conference and not a trade show or exhibition.  But, PCIC does include very active vendor participation programs that are generously supported by manufacturers, representatives, distributors and others in the form of hospitality suites, large conference events and “in kind” sponsorships.  We sincerely appreciate the support and respect of our participating vendors for helping to promote and advance the technical and professional aspects of PCIC in accordance with the etiquette guidance offered in the PCIC Operating Manual.

The New Orleans Local Conference Committee is planning a full menu of excursions that will begin each day after breakfast and end by mid-afternoon.  These programs will highlight New Orleans’ excellent golf facilities, historic antebellum plantations, beautiful gardens, exciting swamp flora and fauna and of course, our world-famous Cajun cuisine.  Don’t forget a comfortable pair of shoes for the walking tours through the French Quarter and “cities of the dead”.  In addition to the organized tours, the New Orleans Marriott is centrally located only a short walk from shopping, The National WWII Museum, Jackson Square, The New Orleans Riverwalk, street cars, live local jazz and much more.  For more information on enjoying New Orleans, please visit the microsite prepared for PCIC by the New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at http://www.neworleanscvb.com/2012pcic/   Now if that doesn’t make you want to spend a few extra days in New Orleans, you’re spending far too much time at the office.

We look forward to hosting you in 2012 in New Orleans!

Charles A. Darnell
PCIC 2012 Local Conference Committee Chair