Businesses today are facing challenges unlike any they have ever experienced. Changing economic conditions are coinciding with a rapidly evolving business and technology environment, creating both daunting challenges and exciting new opportunities. These forces of change have given us all a new understanding of - and appreciation for - a fundamental shift taking place in the way people live, work and interact. It’s a different world view, one that demands new and better ways of doing business.

This is what we had in mind when we established the theme for our Professional Development Summit, “Creating Advantage in Today’s Challenging World.” By leveraging informa­tion, relationships and technology in new ways to create greater value and efficiencies, we can improve the way we manage and run businesses and gain a competitive advantage - even in a challenging environment.

This year we are offering the following five tracks: Foundations, Practitioner, Leadership, Future of Quality, and Career Skills. The Foundations track is typically targeted for those new to the field or ‘back to basics’ refresher. Practitioner sessions are intermediate to advanced for those who want to dive a little deeper. Leadership is diverse track focused on leadership at every level of the organization. Future of Quality are generally intermediate level exploring where we are headed. We round out the offerings with Career Skills because creating advantage starts at home.

The Summit is simply the place to be if you need to improve efficiency in your company or implement any quality tool or cost-savings. The Professional Development Summit offers:

• 20 sessions and 11 workshops to help you create advantage
  
• Real-life examples of quality improvement
  
• Networking with like-minded professionals committed to raising the voice of quality
• ASQ certification exams on-site
  

With a concentration on developing skills and competencies, the Summit has something for everyone. From the practitioner just getting started to the experience quality professional, you will have the opportunity to update your skills, competencies and knowledge that help you Create Advantage in Today’s Challenging World.

• Learn. A diverse program of learning opportunities to help you and help you help your work.
  
• Network. Meet other individuals who have worked through similar challenges. Talk to them. Learn from them.
  
• DIY. Learn the quality tools necessary to fix your problems in-house and eliminate consultant fees.