The Rubber News Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference has returned to downtown Cuyahoga Falls in a two-day event, April 12-13, featuring a total of 15 presentations and 16 exhibitors.
While this is the ninth edition of the event, it's the first for the inclusion of belt manufacturing, providing a broader spectrum of insight and opportunities, including the latest groundbreaking trends and innovations throughout the hose and belting industries; economic, business and political insights; trends and achievements in sustainability; networking; and more.
The first day of the event featured 11 speakers, including Keynoter Roger Tutterow, professor of economics at Kennesaw State University, who kicked off the event with a look at the current economic, business and political climate; Christopher Bradlee, market segment manager for hose and belts at BASF Corp., who spoke to trends in sustainability and the growth of a circular economy in the industry; and Scott Boito, product steward of chemical intermediates at Eastman Chemical Co., who delivered a regulatory update for the hose and belt industries; among many others.
As we get ready for round two's keynote address on "Business Beyond COVID," some technical insights and a panel on hose safety, here's a look back on day one.
