Rubber Division reports increase in booths, revenue

CLEVELAND—The ACS Rubber Division held its business and awards meeting on Oct. 15, the closing day of the three-day International Elastomer Conference at the Cleveland Convention Center.

William Stahl, treasurer of the Division, said the show had 259 booths, an increase of 33 from 2013. Additionally, the conference used 59,100 square feet of space, an increase of 5,600 square feet. In total, $1.44 million of booth revenue was collected, an increase of $212,815 from 2013.

He reported the expo exceeded budget by $141,434.

Terry DeLapa, who served as the first female chair of the Rubber Division ACS in 2015, opened the ceremony and presented several awards to industry executives throughout the meeting.

Shelby Washko was the recipient of the Arnold Smith Special Service Award.

“Shelby's been our historian since 1991 ... She chairs the (history) committee,” DeLapa said.

“She's also the person you see walking the floor, going to all the meetings and taking photos so that we can have the memories of all the things we do here. And we keep her busy with that.”

Since 1991, Washko has been a member of the service awards committee, served on the public relations committee from 1991-2003 and served on various other committees.

“The Rubber Division values the countless hours of your dedication and helping build the success of our organization,” DeLapa said.

“I've gotten a lot of compliments and a lot of praise this week for being the first woman chair of the division. I have to tell you, Shelby was one of my inspirations right from the beginning. So thank you, Shelby.”

David O'Brien, director of bylaws and procedures, was awarded a Distinguished Service Award. DeLapa listed various posts he held within the organization, including financial and budget committee chair in 2010 and a member of the membership committee.

“I'm very, very deeply honored to receive this, and I'm honored to be a part of you,” O'Brien said.

“Folks, we are in the best industry in the world, there's no doubt—the rubber industry.”

One special note at the ceremony was the remembrance of Paul Glasgow, who had been a member of the Rubber Division since 2007 and had been serving as assistant treasurer, on the board of directors and as an executive committee member. He died June 28 after a short illness.

“You've heard us talk about Paul,” DeLapa said. “He was an inspiration to a lot of people, with his enthusiasm for the industry, his enthusiasm in reaching out to students and to working with us here in the Division.”

The Division is honoring Glasgow in a few ways, including a scholarship in his name and presenting a plaque to his family in his honor.

The Rubber Division announced next year's shows during the meeting:

• The 189th Technical Meeting & Educational Symposium: Hilton Palacio Del Rio, San Antonio, Texas; April 18-21; and

• 190th Technical Meeting & Education Symposium: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh; Oct. 10-13.