41st Annual Fall Technical Conference

Mining Data for Quality Improvement

Omni Inner Harbor Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland
October 16-17, 1997

The "best value" technical conference around is being held in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland, this year. The 41st Annual Fall Technical Conference, with the theme "Mining Data for Quality Improvement," will be held at the Omni Inner Harbor Hotel. The conference is sponsored by the Chemical and Process Industries Division and the Statistics Division of the American Society for Quality Control and by the Section on Physical and Engineering Sciences of the American Statistical Association.

• Conference Program
• Pre-Conference Short Courses
• Council Meetings
• Hospitality Suite
• Non-Technical Program
• Accomodations
• Cancellations and Refunds
• Travel Information
• Registration

Program

Sessions will offer the latest developments in statistical methods as they relate to quality improvement. The chemical and process industries, physical and engineering sciences, and this year, the health care industry are the application areas widely represented on the program. Come join us to learn more about mining data for quality improvement. You'll have the opportunity to meet informally and to exchange views with speakers and colleagues during breaks and in the always welcoming hospitality suite.

Four awards sponsored by ASQC divisions will be presented at the conference: the Shewell Award for the best presentation at the 1996 Fall Technical Conference, the Wilcoxon Prize for the best practical application paper, and the Youden Prize for the best expository paper published in the previous year's Technometrics. On Thursday afternoon, at the W.J. Youden Memorial Address, the Hunter Award will be presented to a person who demonstrated creative development and application of statistical techniques to problem solving in the quality field.

Click here to see a preliminary program for the conference. If you have any questions about it, please contact one of the members of the program committee:

Pre-Conference Short Courses

The Statistics Division will sponsor two short courses on Wednesday, October 15, from 8:30am to 5:00pm. The $150 fee for each course includes coffee breaks and lunch. Registration is limited, so REGISTER EARLY!!!

Below are brief course descriptions and instructor biographical sketches.

Using Designed Experiments to Shrink Health Care Costs (M. Daniel Sloan, Quality Health Systems of America, Inc.) During the first fifteen minutes of this course, participants will complete a factorial experiment, including data analysis! No algebra. No computers. No fooling. Sloane's unique model makes it possible for managers, nurses, and doctors to use classical, designed experiments in all aspects of health care. With the required course text, Using Designed Experiments to Shrink Health Care Costs (Quality Press, 1997), participants will spend the day mastering design experiment principles for health care management. Case study and success stories will be presented. (Participants are encouraged to bring a ruler, a pair of scissors, a virus free 3.5" data disk, and a hand held calculator.)

How to Apply Statistical Thinking to Improve Results (Lynne Hare, NIST; Roger Hoerl, General Electric Company; and Ron Snee, Bell Atlantic Corporation) The purpose of this course is to better prepare attendees to apply statistical thinking effectively within their own organizations. It will begin by discussing the need for widespread understanding as a precursor to utilizing formal statistical methods properly, in a systematic way. Statistical thinking will be formally defined and contrasted with statistical methods, per se. Attendees will work in teams to address problems requiring statistical thinking, and suggest specific ways in which statistical thinking could be applied more broadly in business, government or academia. Suggestions for overcoming typical barriers to application of statistical thinking will also be provided. Lastly, each attendee will develop a plan to improve the application of statistical thinking in their own organization.

Council Meetings

On Wednesday, October 15, the Chemical & Process Industries Division and Statistics Divisions of ASQC will hold council meetings from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. The council meeting for the American Statistical Association Section on Physical & Engineering Sciences will be held Thursday, October 16th, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. These open meetings are an opportunity for those who wish to become involved in the activities of the societies to become better informed. Check your registration package for room locations and other meetings of interest.

Hospitality Suite

The Fall Technical Conference and the officers of the sponsoring organizations host a hospitality suite each year. This plays a vital role in the strategic operation of the divisions. We welcome new faces and new perspectives on division operations as well as share technical insights with colleagues, in a friendly, informal atmosphere. Please come to meet us in Baltimore!

Non-Technical Program

Register by September 15th to avoid tour cancellations.

Tour of Baltimore (October 16, 1997)
Your guide will join you at the Omni Inner Harbor at 9:00 AM to begin a fully narrated 6 hour tour, relating Baltimore's history, legends and lore. See the sites of the Inner Harbor, and Fort McHenry, birthplace of "The Star Spangled Banner" and spend an hour at the City Life museum. Tour visits the Shot Tower, the Star Spangled Banner House, Carroll Museum, Babe Rith Birthplace, and Mt. Vernon Place (the city's most elegant square). While in this area, spend an hour at the Walters Art Gallery. Lunch will be on your own at the Inner Harbor. Tour returns to Omni by 4:00.

Harbor Dinner Cruise (October 16, 1997)
Sail out on the Chesapeak Bay and see the City of Baltimore by night while enjoying a marvelous buffet dinner aboard either the Lady Baltimore or Bay Lady. Space is limited. Reservations will be on a first come - first served basis.

Tour of Annapolis - Maryland's Historic Capital (October 17, 1997)
At 8:30 AM board your modern motor coach at the Omni Inner Harbor and get off in the 18th Century charm of historic Annapolis. Professional tour guide(s) in 18th century dress will lead you to sites such as the Maryland State House, St. John's College, the Hammond-Harwood House built in 1774 and the William Paca House and Garden, through the US Naval Academy, including the Chapel, the crypt of John Paul Jones and Bancroft Hall. After lunch on your own, ample time will be left for shopping before your departure back to Baltimore at 2:30 PM. (Note: this is a walking tour. Bring appropriate foot wear.)

Address questions regarding the non-technical programs and airline discounts to Event Management Affiliates at 888-TALK-EMA (825-5362).

Accomodations

A block of rooms has been made available at the newly renovated Omni Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore. Conference rates are $125 for single and $145 for double occupancy, plus taxes. These rates apply for 3 days prior to and 3 days following the conference, based on availability. The guest room block will be held until September 15, 1997.

REGISTER EARLY TO AVOID HIGHER RATES!!!

Reservations can be made by using the attached form, calling the hotel directly at (410) 752-1100, or by calling the toll-free Omni reservation line at 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664). Be sure to mention the ASQ Fall Technical Conference for special conference rates. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid credit card and are subject to a 72-hour cancellation policy. Check-in time is 3:00pm and check-out time is 12:00pm, however, every attempt will be made to accomodate those guests who arrive prior to check-in time.

Cancellations and Refunds

To encourage early reservations, we will promptly refund the entire registration fee if you cancel before September 15th. After that date, we will deduct luncheon costs and refund the difference.

Travel Information

This page sponsored by SAS Institute.