Page 5 - PCMI Journal December 2020

Letter From the President
Peter Jefferies
Greetings PCMI Members,
As this challenging year comes to a close, I want to thank you for your PCMI membership. As we celebrate the holidays,
I hope that you, your family, and colleagues stay healthy until the COVID-19 vaccines eventually bring this pandemic under control.
While PCMI could not host in-person meetings this year, we continued to provide you with benefits and services worthy of your investment in the Institute.
Let me provide a summary, during 2020, PCMI:
• Hosted the first-ever Virtual Conference, which featured technical presentations, on-demand access to all recorded sessions, and group interaction and discussion;
• Conducted and distributed both an Industry Trends Survey and a Coronavirus Assistance and Business Trends Survey;
• Published two Technical Journals;
• Published the Membership Directory;
• Shared business referrals, sales leads, and specific services requests with members;
• Updated the PCMI website to allow for a cleaner look and more precise action items that better reflect current PCMI educational programs and membership benefits;
• Created a new (and FREE) service to spotlight member products on the PCMI website and social media platforms; and
• Shared the online library content on social media platforms to promote the PCM industry.
We are now planning the Spring Technical Conference, and we hope to meet in person in Köln, Germany, from May 8 - 12, 2021. Currently, the event will feature two full days of technical sessions for the PCM industry, networking with colleagues, and the opportunity to explore emerging PCM technologies.
Of course, we are also working on a contingency plan and will pivot to a virtual event if circumstances warrant. If we move to an online program, the agenda will consist of the same cutting-edge technical presentations, and will include interactive sessions to give you the ability to talk with your colleagues from around the world.
Moving ahead, the success of the 2020 Virtual Conference provided the PCMI leadership with an appreciation for how online learning benefits the membership. To take advantage of the opportunity to reach a wider audience without travel, PCMI is investigating how to utilize the online platform to enhance educational opportunities. Stay tuned for more developments on this initiative.
Now, as your renewal date approaches, I ask for your continued support by renewing your membership for 2021. Your continued commitment to PCMI will enable us to continue focusing on our mission of providing unparalleled services and programs now, and in the future.
If there are additional ways we can help your business, please let us know. Happy Holidays
Peter Jefferies
President, PCMI
Heatric, Division of Meggitt
Issue 136 December 2020 PCMI Journal 5