Informex Specialty Chemical Conference Announces Change to Keynote Speaker

PRINCETON, N.J., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Informex Show Management today announced a change in the keynote speaker for the inaugural Informex Specialty Chemicals Conference, to be held in Houston, Texas on May 11th. Lee E. Mikles, President and CEO of FutureFuel Corp., who had been scheduled to give the address has been forced to withdraw due to illness and will be replaced by former Texaco Chemical Company/Huntsman Marketing Director, Dr. Wheeler Crawford.

A veteran of the specialty chemicals business with over forty years' experience, Dr. Crawford  currently works with Canyon Creek Chemical Consulting and has advised companies including Huntsman, Champion and Stepan, on topics ranging from R&D to new product development and marketing. To date, Dr. Crawford has 52 Patents and publications and is also a professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX where he lectures in organic chemistry. Dr. Crawford's keynote address will examine the vibrant specialty chemical market in the Gulf Coast region, the globalization of the specialty chemical industry, the exportation of jobs overseas and the importance of stewardship in the chemical sector. Looking to the future, he will identify strategies for success in the post-recession economic climate and discuss the market outlook.

In addition to Dr. Crawford's keynote session, the conference will feature a tabletop exhibition and two panel discussions that will examine key industry issues in greater depth. The first session will evaluate the latest strategies for sourcing and chemical tolling projects both domestically and internationally, with a critique of current business strategies and a review of issues such as cost comparison, accessibility, depth of product line and quality. The second panel will focus on capitalizing on a new market for your products, navigating production flow across different markets and evaluating the strike points in growing markets. The session aims to enable participants to forge new strategic partnerships that facilitate diversification. Panelists include experts from Air Products, DSM, Huntsman, PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions, Shell Global Solutions, and Syrgis. while initial tabletop exhibitors include Bayer Technology Services, FutureFuel, KMCO, Louisiana Chemical Equipment, MFG Chemical and Seatex Ltd. Additionally, there will be speakers from Bayer Technology Services, Colonial Metals, Inc, Dixie Chemical Company, SBI Fine Chemicals Inc. and West Central Environmental.

The conference will be concluded by two in-depth case studies, one focusing on how to use the most efficient technology in day-to-day operations that will enhance business, including catalysis, continuous processing and microprocessing, the other looking at the regenerative cycle of chemicals and how to minimize waste. The event will be chaired by SOCMA President, Lawrence D. Sloan.

"We wish Lee a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with him at this time. We feel that we have found the perfect replacement in Wheeler Crawford as there are very few people who are more entrenched and knowledgeable about the Houston area chemical market" commented Informex Brand Director, Jennifer Jessup.  "The line-up of speakers, great panelists in our conference sessions and Larry Sloan from SOCMA as chair person make this a 'must attend' event for companies in the specialties sector."

Launched in response to industry feedback and consultation with the Informex Specialty Chemical Advisory Committee, the Specialty Chemicals Conference seeks to provide a platform for the specialty and industrial chemical industries to network and gather valuable information in one of the most vibrant hubs of US chemical production.  The full conference program and registration details can be found at www.informex.com/specialty-houston

UBM International Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Business Media plc (LSE: UBM) a leading provider of business information services to the maritime, travel, fashion, technology, healthcare, media, and property industries. UBM offers services in trade shows, online, news distribution, and publishing to customers across the globe. Its brands are represented in more than 30 countries and are organized into specialist teams that serve their business communities helping them excel in their market by working effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

About Informex - Organized by UBM International Media, Informex is the leading meeting place for buyers and sellers of high-value chemistry for a broad range of applications. As the leading fine chemical tradeshow in the United States, InformexUSA has been a marketplace for networking and doing business in the fine, custom and specialty chemical manufacturing industry for more than 26 years. Informex is produced in conjunction with SOCMA, and the event brings significant value both to SOCMA (www.socma.com) and its members. For more information, visit www.informex.com.

SOURCE Informex