2017 RETA Breeze Nov-Dec

conference CORNER

Thank you for attending the 2017 RETA National Conference

by Mary Hendrickx, Conference Manager

A RETA National Conference is a unique opportunity that brings together Engineers, Operators, Technicians, Educators, OSHA & EPA Representatives, and advocates within and for the Industrial Refrigeration Industry. Attendees from across the US engage in dialogue, share best practices, and advance their knowledge and careers in the areas of safety and compliance. Attending a RETA Conference provides an opportunity to not only observe many examples of practices and procedures that currently exist in the industrial refrigeration industry, but it also provides a chance for RETA members, potential members, vendors, sponsors and RETA leadership to interact with each other and engage in broad cross-section topics. When over 1,000 industry leaders and influencers connected in Hershey, PA powerful things happened. The week started out with the annual RETA Golf Outing which took place at the picturesque Hershey Country Club. Belly’s were full, and whistles were wet thanks to our generous sponsors Airfoil Impellers and Calibration Technologies! We welcomed our first of many Spanish Sessions which included an Operator Challenge, and the hands-on workshops

were a great learning experience for all. The Technical Program consisted of a wide variety of presentations relevant to the industrial refrigeration industry as well as an MOC Workshop that was so well received, it will be placed into rotation in years to come. The Exhibition Hall was busting at the seams all week and the new hours were a big hit. A great time was had by all attendees even with the challenges of squeezing into limited space. We introduced “Fun Fun Friday” with a brand new loud and entertaining RETA Jeopardy game which led right up to our Pitmaster Challenge, which was a total blast! For those of you that missed it, be sure to make a point to attend next year when we are in the BBQ capital of the world, Texas!

There were so many elements to this fantastic Conference, which has become the place to be every year. As always, we welcomed an abundance of first timers with open arms including students fromThaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, it was another year for first and notable milestones. We here at RETA Conferences & Events, would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped put this one-of-a-kind show together! The volunteers not only worked so hard sacrificing sleep and their feet, but also welcomed newcomers who just wanted to see what RETA is all about. RETA Volunteers are loyal and have an energy that is unmatched. You guys gained some fans!

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