Connect, Learn and Achieve in 2023
By Edward P. Salek, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report December 2022
STLE has options for in-person or virtual technical education experiences.
In the coming new year, STLE will be offering a mix of outstanding and accessible professional development opportunities for the global tribology and lubricants community. Here’s a preview of what’s ahead. In-person education begins with STLE’s Metalworking Fluid Management Program on Feb. 21-23, 2023, at the University of Akron (Ohio). This is a two-and-a-half day education program that offers a solid overview of metalworking fluid management and is tailored to provide industry professionals with a comprehensive look at the latest techniques and practices for improving a metalworking fluid operation. For more information, visit
www.stle.org/MWFManagement.
The 77th STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition will be held on May 21-25, 2023, at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif. (USA). Abstract submission for the technical program is running on par with the 2019 STLE Annual Meeting, which was the last year not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The final total could approach 500 submitted abstracts. For more information, visit
www.stle.org/annualmeeting.
The 2023 Annual Meeting education program also includes 11 technical education courses. These one-day courses are offered at the beginning and end of the technical conference program to minimize conflicts. New for this year is an electric vehicles technology course that’s being presented on Thursday, May 25.
Later in the year, STLE has decided to co-locate the 2023 STLE Tribology Frontiers Conference (TFC) with the 3rd STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference. This combined event will be held on Nov. 13-15, 2023, at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower in Cleveland, Ohio (USA).
The TFC will host three keynote speakers, each presenting an outlook on a topic at the forefront of tribology research. Technical sessions will feature contributed 20-minute presentations by leading tribology researchers from around the world. The TFC has gained a reputation for bringing together the tribology research community in a format that maximizes the opportunity to experience the latest in research and network with peers in a relaxed environment. For more information, visit
www.stle.org/tribologyfrontiers.
The co-located Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference, now in its third year, has quickly become an STLE signature event exploring the latest technical challenges and commercial opportunities that will impact the future of electric vehicle technology. The program will cover familiar topics related to transmission, gear and bearing lubrication and new requirements such as for lubricant thermal and electrical properties, new operating conditions and changes in parts manufacture. For more information, visit
www.stle.org/EVConference.
To pursue its mission more fully, in recent years, STLE has expanded its suite of virtual education and networking opportunities to serve a larger and more geographically dispersed audience. A cornerstone of this effort is the technical webinar series, which combines live presentations with a library of recorded offerings on STLE’s state-of-the-art Learning Management System. Webinar topics vary but are categorized in nine essential technical subject areas: additives, base oils, electric vehicles, grease, lubricant applications, lubrication fundamentals, metalworking fluids, oil analysis/condition monitoring & handling and tribology applications. To view these offerings, visit
www.pathlms.com/stle.
STLE Industry Insights, also offered online on a monthly schedule, provides a more interactive format for people looking to connect and collaborate with their industry peers. Each hour-long session is hosted by an expert or experts who make a brief presentation on the designated topic. The experts then facilitate conversation by asking discussion questions and providing actionable takeaways. For more information, visit
www.stle.org/IndustryInsights.
A third option for virtual participants is the STLE podcast series Perfecting Motion:® Tribology and the Quest for Sustainability. It is hosted by Dr. Neil Canter, STLE advisor – technical programs and services, and features conversations with leading industry professionals sharing their insights about current issues and trends impacting the global tribology and lubricants community. There are currently nine episodes available, with the latest topic being hydrogen as a fuel for an internal combustion engine. For more information, visit
www.stle.org/podcast.
Watch for details on all these live and virtual programs, as well as meetings and courses organized by STLE Local Sections, at
www.stle.org, in the weekly STLE Newsletter or in the STLE mobile app (available for download on the Apple App Store or Google Play).
You can reach Certified Association Executive Ed Salek at esalek@stle.org.