The Southern Society for Coatings Technology (SSCT) held its 74th Annual Meeting and Technology Conference at the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort on September 26–29, 2010.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Southern Society for Coatings Technology (SSCT) held its 74th Annual Meeting and Technology Conference at the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort on September 26–29, 2010. The theme of “Racing to New Technology in Coatings” was highlighted in the 16 technical presentations offered at the conference. The theme of the conference was also reflected in the keynote speech, given by Tom Sasse from BASF, which discussed the current chemical raw material market’s impact on coatings, and an overview, by George Schmitz, which covered the Coatings Industry Education Foundation (CIEF). Over 225 people attended the conference, which also included a golf outing, fishing outing, guest program and tabletop exhibits by over 35 suppliers.

The meeting began with a review of the 2010 annual meeting, which was held in May to meet bylaw requirements, and the introduction of the 2010-2011 SSCT officers, which include: Randy Waldman, President; Terry Barrett, Vice President; Ursula Thomas, Treasurer; and Kip Sharp, Secretary. The current Board of Directors was also introduced.

The SSCT also announced its 2010 scholarship winners: Casey Aultman, daughter of Phillip Aultman, Aultman Technical Sales LLC; Nigum Dave, son of Dilip Dave, Benjamin Moore & Co.; Christiana Mattice, daughter of Chuck Mattice, Permite Corp.; and Lauren Waldman, daughter of Randy Waldman, Lintech International LLC. Scholarship recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

During the meeting banquet, SSCT recognition awards were given to Steve Cooper of Dow Coatings/R&H, Jerry Matson of the University of Florida and Steve Halliday of Marine-Industrial Coatings. The SSCT also recognized 27 members for over 25 years of membership in the SSCT; several members were also recognized for over 40 years of membership.

The 75th SSCT “Diamond” Annual Meeting and Technical Conference will be held at The Mills House Hotel, Charleston, SC, on May 22-25, 2011. The theme for the 2011 meeting is “Beginnings of the Coatings Revolution.” A call for papers has been announced and anyone interested in presenting can contact Terry Barrett at tdbarrett@buckman.com.