When the U.S. Federal Reserve cut rates last week, its chair, Jay Powell, said, “[A rate cut] won’t fix a broken supply chain. We get that.”
At AME, we get that, too. Since 1985, we have helped our members understand and remedy supply chain disruptions, process flows and other manufacturing issues. We remain committed to providing our members and event participants with an unparalleled opportunity to dive deep into lean thinking. AME will continue to provide the safest learning environment possible at our conference, summit, and other events – all with programs that allow our participants and their organizations to continue to share, learn and grow.
To that end, we have spent significant time discussing the coronavirus (COVID-19). Whether you’re inflicted, quarantined or impacted in other ways, our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We wish you and your loved ones a full and speedy recovery.
Each year, AME convenes thousands of lean practitioners from manufacturing, health care and other industries at our conference and other events. While our staff, volunteers and partners work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure we are providing a safe environment with minimized risks, our participants hear best practice speakers, learn from fellow practitioners and see operational excellence in action at tour sites.
These are wonderful experiences for our participants, presenters and hosts, alike. With the underlying uncertainty brought on by COVID-19, we want to assure you that AME is working closely with our hosts and partners for regional events, the Atlanta Lean Summit and the International Conference.
The Atlanta Lean Summit has been rescheduled for August 10-13, 2020. Current registrants will have their registration automatically rolled over to these new dates. New registrations are being accepted on the Atlanta Lean Summit website. (updated 3/17/20)
For AME Toronto 2020, for example, we are engaged in an ongoing dialog with Tourism Toronto, our host hotels and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to ensure that the 36th annual AME International Conference is as safe as it is informative. (Read more about these cooperative efforts here.)
We are constantly monitoring the quickly evolving situation. As of now, we continue to plan for our Atlanta Lean Summit, AME Toronto 2020 and other future events. Cancellations will be communicated on a case-by-case basis with safety and the best interest of our members, volunteers and staff in mind. In fact, we have canceled some upcoming regional events and are working with registrants and host companies.
Now more than ever, a continuous improvement mindset is of great importance. Please stay safe and follow CDC guidance, and we hope to see you in Atlanta this August and Toronto this October or at one of our regional events wherever you call home.
