Attendance at Quality Expo 2005 increased 11 percent from 2003’s show, and organizers are calling the event a huge success. More than 5,800 industry professionals attended the show, which was held April 19–21 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The program featured courses by the American Society for Quality, the Association for Operations Management, The Materials Information Society, Edison Welding Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Automotive Industry Action Group. Sessions covered topics such as lean production, Six Sigma, statistical process control, mistake proofing, corrective action and nondestructive testing.

Quality Expo also hosted several well-attended, free sessions including a keynote address by the president and CEO of the Juran Institute, Joseph DeFeo. His presentation, “Breakthrough Solutions to Achieve and Sustain a Cutting Edge in Quality Leadership,” was well-received by the crowded room. Another popular address by former fighter pilot Jim “Murph” Murphy, was offered to a standing-room only crowd. His presentation was sponsored by DNV Certification, Faro Technologies and LK Metrology, and attendees were allowed to climb inside a fighter jet cockpit and sit at the controls.

 …