The 2023 NASF Leadership Conference proved to be a successful educational and networking event with many opportunities to exchange ideas with fellow participants.
The event kicked off with Daniel Couladis, Managing Director at Admired Leadership, providing data-driven, knowledge-based recommendations on how one or two behavioral changes can improve one’s ability to motivate and inspire peers. Attendees had the opportunity to share thoughts, discuss their experiences, and gain insights from one another. As a bonus, NASF Leadership Conference attendees received access to a 16-page guide to Fanness,® a concept that Couladis uses to build stronger interpersonal and professional relationships.
The Leadership Conference education content concluded with presentations by Christian Richter and Jeff Hannapel of The Policy Group. They discussed the NASF’s role in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) PFAS ban as well as the projected effects of the ban. Richter and Hannapel explained the EPA’s decision to require responses to a PFAS survey which the agency will issue in the Spring of 2023. The NASF plans to educate members on the EPA survey via webinar later this year.
Rosario Palmieri, the NASF and ASEF Foundation Executive Director, provided an update on the organizations’ strategic initiatives. He stated that both organizations continue to be financially successful. Every year, the foundation supports cutting-edge scientific research through our scholarship and internship programs. The recipients will be selected in early April. Prior research grant winners’ presentations will be showcased in the 2023 SUR/FIN Program.
Participants were excited to learn that the 2024 Leadership Conference will be held at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf and Beach Resort in Puerto Rico from March 3 through March 6.
The NASF is looking forward to a successful SUR/FIN as a record number of companies have reserved exhibitor booths this year and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has chosen 72 lessons to be presented between Tuesday, June 6, and Wednesday, June 7. Thursday will begin with a Keynote speech followed by the joint NASF and Product Finishing Top Shop Awards Ceremony. Tim Hall will close out the conference as the 2023 Blum Lecturer.