INDIANAPOLIS – Ivy Tech Community College will be hosting the national American Technical Education Association’s (ATEA) 52^nd annual conference April 15 to 17 at the Hilton Hotel and Suites in downtown Indianapolis.

This year’s conference entitled “Innovation through Continuous Improvement of Technical Education” promises to display the best in technical education through industry partnerships. There are a number of exciting and informative sessions, factory tours, vendors and even an opening reception at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) with internationally recognized IMS historian, Donald Davidson.  There will also be a session on the Tennessee Promise, and Congresswoman Susan Brooks will be presenting a keynote address on strengthening the middle class.

Features this year include three breakout sessions with five presentations in each session as well as industry tours.  Tours this year include Dallara Indy Car Factory, Dow Agriculture, The Glick Technology Center, and Ivy Tech Community College.  ATEA conferences are comprehensive and provide unparalleled professional development through the host college and contributions from their networks and expertise.

The official start of the conference will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and will kick off with a reception and dinner sponsored by Amatrol.  After a welcome from Ivy Tech President Tom Snyder, ATEA Board President Rich Wagner, President of Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis, will officially open the conference.  Donald Davidson, the Speedway Historian will be the keynote speaker.

Outstanding sessions include “The Tennessee Promise” – a model for a national American Promise with James King, Vice Chancellor for the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and “Securing the Middle Class” – Friday’s keynote presentation by Indiana Congresswoman Susan Brooks.  The hallmark industry panel this year is “Innovative Partnerships” moderated by Tom Snyder, President of Ivy Tech Community College and conference host, with panelists Walter Miller, Cummins and Dr. John Wolfe, FCA Fiat Chrysler.

Plenary Sessions will be focused on the growing impact of centers of excellence, both TAACCCT and state funded centers of innovation and connection, which link their practice for the benefit of faculty and students.  The sessions are designed to share experiences and are early in the conference to encourage networking on behalf of programs and institutions.  The presenters are from Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, North Dakota, Kansas, Indiana, and Minnesota.

A session on the impact on technical education by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) will be presented and moderated by Roger Tadsjewski, Executive Director, National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Panelists include Fredrick Brookhouse, National Partnership Manager, Snap-On Tools, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Matt Janisin, Gateway Technical College Instructor/Coordinator of NC3, Kenosha, Wisconsin.

ATEA is proud of its tradition of recognizing excellence and will present national awards at the Thursday luncheon. Awards are given for outstanding technical student, teacher, and program.  Additionally, a joint award with the National Technical Honor Society will be presented to an exemplary business that supports technical education.

The ATEA Board of Trustees and Regional Councils will also meet during the conference.  Outgoing ATEA President Rich Wagner, Ph.D., will be recognized for his service from 2013 to 2015.  President Wagner leaves a strengthened organization that has continued the quality and focus of postsecondary technical education, professional development, and professional connection.  During the Annual Meeting, in-coming President Paul Young, President of Northern Wyoming Community College District, will take the Oath of Office.  He will begin as President on July 1, 2015 and serve till June 30, 2017.

Further information on the conference can be found at ivytech.edu/atea.