[Preview] NWI’s Fall 2024 Industrial Advisory Board Meeting

September 16, 2024 The Nonwovens Institute

The Nonwovens Institute’s (NWI’s) Fall 2024 Industrial Advisory Board Meeting will be held Nov. 5-6 on the Centennial Campus of NC State University.

The semi-annual IAB meeting is an opportunity for member companies, government agencies, faculty and student researchers currently working through the Institute’s industry-selected fundamental research program to engage around some of the pressing challenges facing the nonwovens industry. The IAB meeting will feature the presentation of findings from NWI’s pre-competitive nonwovens research portfolio, poster sessions, tours of NWI’s state-of-the-art pilot- and lab-scale nonwoven production and testing facilities, a variety of networking events, and training opportunities.

3 Important (and Exciting) IAB Updates

The Research Project Presentations will begin at 8:00 am on Tue. Nov. 5., running through 11:30 am on Wed. Nov. 6. By starting the presentations in the morning rather than after lunch, we are able to fit the IAB meeting and networking receptions into two full days, rather than over three days.
The Faculty Poster Showcase Networking Reception is a new addition to the IAB schedule. This session will be held on Tue. Nov. 5 from 4:30–6:00 pm, offering attendees another opportunity to network, while also learning about the research focus areas of current and prospective NWI faculty/principal investigators. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
The Research Project Review and NWI Business Updates session will lead into the IAB Networking Reception on Nov. 6. This change will make it easier for more attendees to share feedback and engage in discussion of the current portfolio of NWI research projects. And these discussions can naturally carry over to the evening IAB Networking Reception for a more dynamic and engaging experience overall.

5 Reasons to Attend the IAB

Review the latest findings from NWI’s industry-selected research portfolio.
Network with leaders in the nonwovens industry, students, principal investigators and NWI staff.
Help shape the consortium’s research project portfolio as it evolves.
Connect with top talent in nonwovens subject matter areas to support your company’s recruiting initiatives.
Gain a better understanding of the application and technology challenges facing the nonwovens industry today and as we look toward the future.

Meeting Highlights

Student Research Project Presentations (Hunt Library, Duke Energy Hall): The meeting is kicked off by a networking breakfast on Nov. 5, followed by a full day of Research Project Presentations, which continue until lunch on Nov. 6. Importantly, this agenda builds in sufficient time for members to complete the Research Evaluation Forms after each presentation. Member feedback is highly valued by the students and helps to determine the winners of the Best Presentation, Best Technical and Best Overall awards.
Member Presentations (Hunt Library, Duke Energy Hall): An extended lunch break on Nov. 5 (12:10–1:45 pm) will enable members to enjoy a networking lunch and then to hear presentations from select member companies.
Faculty Poster Showcase Networking Reception: A new addition to the Fall IAB program, the Faculty Poster Showcase Networking Reception (Nov. 5 from 4:30–6:00 pm) creates another opportunity for attendees to connect and interact with current and prospective NWI faculty/principal investigators, who will be presenting posters highlighting their research focus areas. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Student Poster Session (Hunt Library, Duke Energy Hall): The Student Poster Session will take place on Wed. Nov. 6 from 11:30 am–1:30 pm. Engage with the student researchers and your industry peers, while gaining added perspective on the current portfolio of nonwovens research projects in a concise poster format. Lunch will be provided.
Research Project Review and NWI Business Update (Hunt Library, Duke Energy Hall): Please join us Nov. 6 from 1:30–4:30 pm for discussion of the Research Project Presentations. Your feedback will provide critical guidance as we shape the consortium’s research portfolio to ensure it is delivering results that are in line with the goals of our member companies. We will also use this session to finalize the voting for our Student Research Awards Program.
NWI Lab Tour: A tour of NWI’s lab- and large pilot-scale systems will take place on Nov. 6 from 4:45–5:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to see NWI’s newest capabilities, both lab-scale and large pilot systems, as well as NWI’s extensive analytical and filtration testing facilities.
Networking Reception (Lonnie Poole Golf Course on NC State’s Centennial Campus): The Wednesday night reception is the IAB meeting’s premier networking event, with attendees enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres and wonderful views of the university golf course and Raleigh skyline. Please join us at 6:00 pm at the Terrace in the Carol Johnson Poole Clubhouse on the Centennial Campus. You will be prompted to RSVP during your registration.
IAB “Buddy Program” … We are encouraging all members to bring somebody new to the IAB. The IAB meeting is a wonderful opportunity for your colleagues to gain exposure in the world of nonwovens. To help new attendees settle in, NWI is offering a “Buddy Program” where new attendees can be paired up with a relevant IAB veteran to discuss topics of mutual interest, make introductions, and interact with the student researchers and faculty during the IAB meeting. For more details and to register for the IAB “Buddy Program,” please contact me at jwang41@ncsu.edu or +1 919.515.6582.