2008 Annual Meeting -- RECAP The RMA was proud to host its annual gathering of member representatives during the 2008 Annual Meeting in St. Augustine, Florida on April 12-14. This year's program offered something for everyone in focusing on current issues before our industry and the manufacturing sector in general. Highlights included: Dr. Dennis M. Byrne, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Akron -- addressed members on the day's economic headlines including the sub-prime mortgage crisis, energy costs, and the effects of recent federal fiscal policy; Amy Walter, Editor in Chief of The Hotline -- analyzed the presidential race in depth, focusing on the on-going Democratic primary battle, and the approaching campaign later this year; Gene Stanaland, President, GSE Inc. -- the "Will Rogers of Economics", and former Auburn University professor entertained the RMA audience with his cutting perspectives on current economic trends and policies, and longer-term U.S. fiscal practices; Michael Topf, President of Topf Initiatives -- a management consultant specializing in corporate EHS issues, advocating a holistic approach to developing a positive corporate culture; Nicholas Owens, National Ombudsman and Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness, U.S. Small Business Administration -- reported on his office's efforts to mitigate small business regulatory concerns with Federal agencies, and their related state entities; Robert A. Matthews, McKenna Long & Aldridge  LLP -- advised member representatives on compliance requirments of the EU's sweeping chemical regulation - REACH; Issue briefings and roundtables covered topics including: Recycling - Bill Cole (Delta-Energy) and Bruce Bowers (TRC Industries); Energy - Summit Energy; employment & labor; Congress; state issues; and environmental policy. The RMA also announced the recipients of this year's Safety Health & Improvement awards, which recognize member facilities with exceptional safety records. Click here for the listing of this year's member recipients can be found. Additional information on speakers and materials presented is available to members by accessing the members-only area of www.rma.org. The RMA staff would like to sincerely thank the members and guests who made this year's conference a success. Please check here soon for an announcement of the Fall meeting plans, and dates for the 2009 Annual Meeting.