About 1500 people gathered April 23-25 in New Orleans for PaperCon, North America’s largest pulp and paper conference and trade fair. Attendees included CEOs, production managers, su-perintendents, process engineers, and technical staff in papermak-ing, coating, recycling, energy, bioenergy, procurement, sustainability and process control. PaperCon’s trade fair showcased 100 exhibitors from around the world.

IPST Director Norman Marsolan, chair of the TAPPI board, was master of ceremonies at the opening event. The program included peer-reviewed scientific papers, invited speakers, and roundtable discussions. TAPPI’s Young Professionals Committee organized a special program for professionals and students under 30 which included sessions on mill safety, developing organizational leadership, and roundtable discussions with mill managers and superintendants. The YP’s also enjoyed mixers where they mingled with others new to the industry and networked with long-time paper industry veterans.

Another opportunity for IPST students and faculty is TAPPI’s 12th Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium, to be held in Atlanta September 10-12 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Midtown. This program will attract the world’s leading experts in paper coating with a focus on research and commercialization of ideas. Peer-reviewed research papers will be presented in the areas of novel coatings, future application methods, heat transfer, ink interaction, printing, binders and nanotechnology applications for coating. Special rates are offered for student attendees. More information is available atwww.tappi.org/12acf.