PMI to Hold Two-Day Technology (I.T.) Forum July 29-30
For Immediate Release
August 28, 2003
Contact: Barbara C. Higgens, Executive Director (847) 884-9764
Schaumburg, Ill. — Tackling XML schemas, examining EDI and maximizing the effectiveness of corporate websites are some of the topics to be addressed at the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute's (PMI) third Information Technology (I.T.) Forum on July 29-30, in Schaumburg, Ill. The two-day forum is broken down by "tracks" - technical, more I.T.-based topics will be addressed from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, while marketing issues will be covered on Wednesday, July 30, from 8 a.m. to noon. A dinner will be provided Tuesday evening.
PMI has hosted I.T. forums since 2000 to equip I.T. and marketing personnel with information and tools needed to navigate the changing landscape of the Internet, e-commerce and other technological issues. Among the technical topics to be covered on Tuesday will be a primer on XML and its uses, an attempt to arrive at an industry standard XML schema, and discussion on EDI vs. B2B e-commerce. Wednesday's marketing track topics include: "Internet 101: A Manufacturer's Tour of the Internet", "How to Increase Website Traffic", "How to Best Organize Your Company's Website", and "How to Survey Your Website Visitors" to achieve company objectives. The forum is free to members of PMI, and nonmembers will pay $150 for the first attendee and $125 for additional representatives to attend.
According to PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens, the July forum reflects the plumbing industry's movement beyond simple information exchange and into proactive identification and management. "We've moved out of the 'surface' learning phase, and we're delving into strategic thinking and process implementation in which we as an industry can best prepared to meet our technological needs ."
Press can attend the Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning sessions free of charge; dinner is not open to the press. Pre-registration is required by contacting PMI at (847) 884-9PMI (9764) or completing the enclosed form and faxing it back to PMI at (847) 884-9775.
The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute is the voluntary, not-for-profit trade association of manufacturers of plumbing products serving as the Voice of the Industry. Member companies of PMI produce a substantial quantity of the nation's plumbing products. For more information on PMI, the upcoming IT Forum or its semi-annual meetings, contact the Institute at 1340 Remington Road, Suite A, Schaumburg, Ill., 60173; or via phone (847) 884-9PMI (9764), facsimile (847) 884-9775, or website www.pmihome.org.