In a recent conversation with AME co-founder Robert “Doc” Hall, he reminded me that connections are AME’s special sauce. People turn to AME to connect with knowledge, training and—most of all—people.
Our mission speaks of our commitment to helping members share, learn and grow. This is the idea that AME exists to allow people to come together to learn and grow together in a collaborative environment where all people benefit.
The connections that people make through AME can last a lifetime. A chance meeting at an AME conference often becomes an ongoing opportunity to learn from one another. We often hear of AME Consortia members inviting each other into their facilities so they can give and receive feedback. Still, others have found a group of subject matter experts and practitioners they can rely on for advice at my weekly lean coffee break discussions.
The AME Dallas 2022 conference committee has put together an incredible program with some of our biggest keynotes ever, plus tours, workshops and practitioner presentations. Truth be told, however, I’m most excited about seeing so many of you in-person for the first time since the 2019 AME International Conference. I’ve missed the opportunity to interact face-to-face and to see your smiles and other non-verbal cues. And beyond those I’ve known for years and those I’ve only known virtually, I’m also looking forward to creating new connections with a community that is as passionate about lean, continuous improvement and leadership as I am. I can’t wait to meet all of you at the AME NuBee Night, which is always organized by AME volunteers Myriam Sinclair-Dwyer and Clem Dwyer with Sara O’Hara from the AME Home Team.
Based on conversations that I’ve had with so many of you, I know I’m not the only one who has been craving these face-to-face connections. I’m incredibly proud of the work AME has done over the past two years to keep connections alive and provide a place for you to connect with knowledge and people in a virtual setting. But with the return of in-person events and AME Dallas 2022, there's no better time to recognize that AME is all about connections.
A special thank you to our AME Technology & Innovation Summit chair April Schmidt and her team for this week’s incredible summit. I would also like to thank our incomparable AME Home Team and Barb Clayton, our AME Management Team director of programming and integration, for so generously mentoring our new summit chairs.
Don't forget you have until June 30th to take advantage of last chance discount pricing for AME Dallas 2022. Right now, teams can save up to 20 percent. Teams of ten or more can save even more by participating in the Accelerator Program. We also have a few seats left at our upcoming event in Salt Lake City: One-piece flow production with lean enterprise leader O.C. Tanner. An award-winning organization, O.C. Tanner is not only among the top two percent best lean enterprises in North America but is a recognized leader in one-piece flow production.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
