News Release - 2007 CDMA Operational Changes

Dear CDMA Member and Friends in the Chemical Industry: 

Before I announce very important changes in CDMA’s operations, I want to extend my thanks to all those who attended our successful Spring Meeting in Philadelphia. I am pleased with the new events offered at the meeting: the Technology Trade Fair and to our special Monday night keynote speaker, Prof. Ian MacMillan of Wharton.

As you may know, Andy Bachmann was honored with our Award for Executive Excellence, and our panel speakers were acknowledged as providing useful and practical content. We also continued to explore valuable tools for developing your networks. The Educational Foundation provided another excellent course, with the focus this time on international business. Our volunteers did a great job in putting together and executing this program. 

On the operational front, your CDMA Board decided early this year to move our administrative operations from Fernley and Fernley to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) effective July1, 2007. CDMA will not be part of AIChE, but AIChE will provide our management services (accounting, web and member services) the same as Fernley has provided in the past. 

The major advantages to CDMA in making this change are:

1) CDMA can leverage significant technology investments and improvements made by AIChE in the past two years making our organization more efficient.

2) AIChE is an individual membership-based association like CDMA and is better suited to help us in marketing and member services.

3) With over 40,000 members, AIChE can help us grow our membership base as their members move from a technology focus to a business focus. 

You will see a new look on our Web site, which will also have greater functionality. It will be easier to keep the site updated, and we will be able keep you informed in a more timely manner. Look for new features, too. You will receive more information about the exclusive 800 number for CDMA member services in the following months and live response during business hours. 

The most immediate impact will be that we will wait until early July to begin receiving membership dues and Fall Meeting registrations. In the past, these announcements began in June, but with the AIChE arrangement starting July 1st, a slight delay will simplify the transition. We will notify you in early July to begin Annual Membership Renewal and Fall Meeting Registration. 

I want to thank Fernley and Fernley for their services during the past six years. They have been supportive to our Association and its volunteer base in some challenging times. 

We are excited about the improvements we are making to create greater value for you, our members - from our Web seminars, enhanced networking and meeting programs. I hope to see you all at our Fall Meeting in Pittsburgh. Please mark your calendars now for September 24-26th. There will also be a special offer for those who renew their membership and register for the Fall Meeting at the same time …Look for it! 

Sincerely,
Bruce

Bruce Banyai

CDMA President 2007-2008