Issue link: https://industrialengineer.epubxp.com/i/920036
January 2018 | ISE Magazine 61 As if the dozens of breakout sessions, case studies, research tools and speakers on tap for the IISE Annual Conference and Expo weren't enough, the 2018 version is set right in the middle of one of the United States' most exciting theme parks. Universal Studios Orlando has two theme parks (Uni- versal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure), a water park (Volcano Bay), a nighttime entertainment complex (Universal CityWalk Orlando) and five hotels, including the conference hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are also open for those with a yearn for the supernatural. For those looking beyond theme park activities, the website smartertravel.com touts the area's ecotourism, which includes air boats, kayak trips, birdwatching and visits to see native alligators and otherworldly serpents. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum has Tiffany lamp- filled corridors and a Byzantine-Romanesque chapel, while the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden combines art with the outdoors. Orlando also has a ballet and a science center. The IISE Annual Conference and Expo, scheduled for May 19-22, always leaves researchers and practitioners with a wealth of ideas they can take back and apply to their enterprises and schools. And early-bird registration, avail- able until April 9, can save conference-goers $170. Visit www.iise.org/a al to register and for more details. Loads of fun available at Annual Conference Universal Studios and Orlando offer thrills, chills, arts and entertainment kudos. Celebrate member achievements. Abdullah Alrabghi has been promoted to vice dean for development at the faculty of engineering for the University of Jeddah. He will oversee de- veloping and executing the faculty's strategic plan and improving educational program quality. Previ- ously he was assistant professor at the University of Jeddah. K.J. (Jamie) Rogers, Regents' Outstanding Teacher, Professor and Associate Chair in the industrial, manufacturing and systems engineer- ing department, University of Texas at Arlington, received the ABET Fellow Award for, "enabling the maintenance of ABET's gold standard reputation in educational accreditation during the rebranding and transition to the new governance structure." Vamshi Voruganti, a senior industrial engi- neering student at the Pennsylvania State Uni- versity, was a member of the first-place team that won the 3M Invent a New Future Challenge, where teams from 12 participating countries gathered for the championship round. Teams were asked to present a business case for ways 3M could im- prove its efforts in diversity and inclusion. SHARE YOUR ACHIEVEMENT Let your peers know about hirings, promotions, awards, appointments and other notable accomplishments. Send Kudos items to Michael Hughes at mhughes@iise.org.