Celebrating the Success of the 2024 Young & Emerging Professionals Summit

What do vacation, sunshine, and the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Young & Emerging Professionals (YEP) Summit have in common? Their all synonymous with Summer here at CGA! And this year’s YEP Summit, which wrapped up last week, was one to remember. Hosted over two weeks, the 2024 YEP Summit featured four dynamic sessions and more than a dozen presenters.

By the Numbers: The Summit attracted 816 attendees from 133 companies across 6 continents, 36 countries, and 37 states! We want to thank everyone who joined us!

The Summit’s goal was clear from the outset: to enhance YEP engagement in CGA’s technical committees. The YEP Committee’s Leadership Steering Task Force organized sessions offering a deep dive into technical committees with lower YEP involvement and provided valuable technical education.

Session Highlights

The Summit kicked off on August 6 with “From A to Z, a Regulatory Guide to Medical and Food Gases.” John Willenbrock, CGA Technical Manager, presented a comprehensive overview of regulations affecting the food and medical gases industry in the U.S. and Canada. A panel discussion, moderated by Kyle Elam, YEP Committee Vice Chair, featured industry experts Mark Celii and Gord Edwards, who shared their expertise on CGA’s Food Gases & Equipment, Medical Gases, and Canadian Medical, Food, and Beverage Gases and Equipment Committees.

On August 8, the session “Hydrogen Horizons: Exploring Safety and Innovation in Production” explored the new harmonized Hydrogen Production Committee document. Jim Reebel, YEP Committee Chair, joined Rich Craig, CGA Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, and Gary Miller to discuss the committee’s proactive steps in enhancing its publication library and the role of YEPs in shaping these initiatives.

The “Gas in Use: The Roadmap to Safe Gas Handling and Storage” session on August 13 provided a comprehensive overview of how compressed gases and cryogenic fluids are managed from production to customer supply systems. Rob Early, CGA Technical Manager, highlighted various supply systems and their installation and maintenance requirements. Thom Hegman and Melissa Heard further discussed the Liquefied Petroleum Committee’s needs and how YEPs can contribute.

The Summit concluded on August 15 with “Demystifying Industrial Gases Apparatus.” Greg Eytchison, David Gailey, and Jason Bombard (CGA Technical Manager), alongside Melissa de Jesus, shed light on the Industrial Gases Apparatus Committee’s mission and skill requirements. Attendees also previewed a new standard on Valve Integrated Pressure Regulators (VIPRs) currently in development. Rich Gottwald, CGA President and CEO, emphasized the crucial role of YEP members in shaping the industry’s future.

Taking Advantage of Technology

The 2024 YEP Summit made the most of technology to connect attendees and create a seamless experience!

The YEP HUB served as the central platform for participants, providing access to live sessions, past presentations, downloadable documents, an attendee list, and the YEP Summit Challenge.

Even better, the YEP HUB remains accessible to registrants for 30 days after the event, allowing continued engagement and access to valuable resources.

Key Takeaways

The 2024 YEP Summit underscored the importance of emerging professionals and their integral role in CGA’s ongoing success and evolution. Survey feedback affirmed the Summit’s impact, with participants appreciating comparative insights between U.S. FDA and Health Canada requirements, advancements in hydrogen production technologies, and practical advice on joining CGA committees. Comments also praised the accessible resources on CGA’s website and the clarity of presentations on customer bulk systems.

This year’s Summit was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of WELDCOA, allowing free registration and expanding the event’s reach.

About the Young and Emerging Professionals Committee

The mission of the YEP Committee is to shape the future of our industry by supporting the growth and retention of young and emerging professionals employed by CGA member companies. The committee creates opportunities for CGA participants to build relationships, expand their skills, and advance their careers while supporting CGA’s safety mission through active participation in committees and technical programs.

For those interested in getting involved or learning more, please contact CGA at info@cganet.com.