The first-ever combination of INDA’s Filtration 2014 International Conference & Exposition with its Nonwoven Filter Media Training Course delivered on its theme, “Pure Opportunity” for attendees of the event. It was held November 18-20, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD

Approximately 1400 delegates and more than 130 exhibitors participated in the conference and exposition focusing on the growing segment of nonwoven media for air and liquid filtration. A sold-out audience of 40 professionals attended INDA’s acclaimed filter media training course prior to the exposition’s start.

“This successful event demonstrated INDA’s commitment to bringing together high-quality education, training, and connections in one location to advance the success of filtration professionals,” says Dave Rousse, INDA’s President. “Filtration is a key growth sector within nonwovens and the Filtration event continues to be the major event of the year for this important market.”

“INDA’s Filtration2014 event gave us the superb opportunity to make invaluable connections, showcase our products, get high-quality prospects and highlight our new product introductions to an extremely targeted audience of filter media professionals. The value that the Filtration event affords us cannot be matched anywhere else and it provided two very impactful days for us to do business,” said Per Lindblom, global product marketing director, Hollingsworth & Vose.

INDA also announced Filtration 2015 will return to Chicago at Navy Pier, Nov. 17-19.

Media Training Adds Value
Led by Christine Sun, Ph.D., Principal, Textile Research Associates, the Nonwoven Filter Media Training Course covered the principles of filtration, market and technology trends, technologies, products, test standards, unmet needs, and the growing potential of filter media products.

“The addition of INDA’s Nonwoven Filter Media Training Course was tremendously received and added to the overall value attendees received by optimizing their travel spend,” says Rousse. “Attendees also could take what they learned during the training and bring it into their conversations with thought leaders at the conference and expo, making it even more practical and applicable to their needs.”  

Based on the response, the Nonwoven Filter Media Training Course will be offered in conjunction with Filtration 2015 in Chicago and two other scheduled dates at INDA’s headquarters. Additionally, onsite training at a member location can be arranged.

Also adding value was the co-location of the National Air Filtration Association’s NAFA Air Tutorial, November 18, covering such topics as technology of clean air, air filter application and best practices, and air filter health and the indoor environment.

The Filtration 2014 conference featured many industry leaders who spoke on the advancements in technology and applications; the issues surrounding healthy, safe air quality, and how it can be improved; human health; and a special focus on nanotechnology.

The first day of the conference, Nov. 19 focused on “Pure Filtration: Healthier Todays, Cleaner Tomorrows,” kicking off with a panel on “Expanding Cleanliness and Safety,” moderated by Jenny Dobmeier, Filtration Business Manager, Johns Manville Corporation.

Other speakers included Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., The Nonwovens Institute, on “The Long View: The Future of Filtration;” Montserrat Torremorell, DVM, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, on “Use of Air Filtration Systems to Reduce Risk of Swine Viruses,” and Jennifer Wagner, Ph.D., Principal Infection Control Consultant, Prism Environmental Health & Safety, Inc. who spoke on how “Clean Room Technology May Help Reduce Surgical Site Infections.”

Speakers on the second day, November 20 presented “Filtration’s Impact on Human Health.” Among the highlights were presentations on: “Towards Sustainable Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges with Engineered Nanoparticles,” by Georgios A. Sotiriou, Ph.D., Harvard University; “Evaluating and Controlling Exposures to Nanoparticles: The Role of Filtration – Research and Application Studies,” by Charles L. Geraci, Ph.D., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); and “Health Effects of Nanoparticles,” by Joseph D. Brain, Ph.D., Harvard University.