The Profibus started the idea of traveling road shows approximately 10 years ago as a way to show Edn Users how their technology worked. The Road Shows consist of a series of free 1-day seminars in different cities around the continent spread out through the year. Locations for the events were generally selected based on where potential applications for the technology could be found to guarantee some level of attendance. The costs for the events are covered by the sponsors who are given a chance to set up tabletops either in the registration area or the perimeter of the meeting room. Lunch is normally provided. Interestingly enough, the Profibus organization but do not appear to have any seminars scheduled in North America this year.
I was part of the Fieldbus Foundation event in Calgary last week where we had about 80 people in attendance for the End User seminar. Details on the events can be found at http://www.fieldbus.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=904&Itemid=259 The Foundation is also trying something new this year – sales force training, which is a half day seminar for local sales representative to equip them with basis knowledge of the technology as well as some information on what a customer is looking for in terms of support for FF as well as a few ideas on justification for using FF in a project.
FDT also conduct a series of road show seminars but they also do lunch and learn as well as seminars. The full schedule of their events can be found at http://www.fdtgroup.org/calendar and if you would like to have a ‘lunch and learn’ at your facility please contact Maggie Carlson through their website at http://www.fdtgroup.org/contact The FDT organization will also be exhibiting at ISA Automation Week in 3 weeks so if you are in that part of the country you are encouraged to stop by and learn more from the staff in the booth.
It is my understanding that the Fieldbus Foundation and FDT groups are planning events in 2012 as well so continue to watch the links above for something near you either in the balance of this year or next year.
If you know of similar events by other of the fieldbus organizations please let us know so we can add them to this thread.
