What are the top Chemical Engineering conferences for building your professional network?

2 IChemE Global Awards

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is a global professional body that represents over 33,000 chemical engineers in more than 100 countries. The IChemE Global Awards are the most prestigious awards in the chemical engineering profession, recognizing excellence, innovation, and achievement in various categories, such as sustainability, education, health and safety, and social responsibility. The IChemE Global Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of your peers, learn from the best practices, and network with the leaders and influencers in the industry. The IChemE Global Awards are usually held in October or November, and the next one will be held online on November 18, 2021.

3 PSE 2021

Process Systems Engineering (PSE) is a multidisciplinary field that applies advanced computational methods and tools to design, optimize, control, and operate complex chemical processes and systems. PSE 2021 is the 14th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering, which is held every three years under the auspices of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) and the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE). PSE 2021 will bring together researchers, practitioners, and educators from academia and industry to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in PSE. PSE 2021 will cover topics such as digitalization, sustainability, bioprocessing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. PSE 2021 will be held in Florianópolis, Brazil, from August 22 to 26, 2021.

4 ESCAPE 31

The European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering (ESCAPE) is an annual event that showcases the state-of-the-art and the future trends in computer-aided methods and tools for chemical engineering. ESCAPE 31 is the 31st edition of the symposium, which is organized by the Computer Aided Process Engineering (CAPE) Working Party of the EFCE. ESCAPE 31 will feature plenary lectures, parallel sessions, poster sessions, industrial workshops, and social events. ESCAPE 31 will focus on the theme of "Process Engineering for Sustainability and Circular Economy", and will address topics such as renewable energy, waste management, circular economy, and green chemistry. ESCAPE 31 will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 30 to June 2, 2021.

5 ISCRE 25

The International Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering (ISCRE) is a triennial event that brings together the global community of chemical reaction engineers to share their knowledge, experience, and insights on the fundamental and applied aspects of chemical reaction engineering. ISCRE 25 is the 25th edition of the symposium, which is co-sponsored by AIChE, IChemE, and EFCE. ISCRE 25 will feature plenary and keynote lectures, oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, and networking activities. ISCRE 25 will cover topics such as catalysis, kinetics, reactor design, multiphase systems, microreactors, and novel technologies. ISCRE 25 will be held in San Diego, California, from June 12 to 15, 2022.

6 How to network effectively

Attending chemical engineering conferences can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it can also be daunting and overwhelming. To make the most of your time and money, and connect with the right people who can help you grow professionally, it’s important to plan ahead. Research the speakers, agenda, and attendees beforehand. Identify the sessions that interest you, the people that you want to meet, and the goals that you want to achieve. Prepare your elevator pitch, business cards, and online profile. When at the conference, don’t be shy or passive. Approach the people that you want to talk to, introduce yourself, and ask questions. Be friendly, courteous, and respectful. Listen actively, show genuine interest in what they have to say, exchange contact information, and follow up after the conference. Don’t try to meet everyone there; focus on quality connections instead. Seek out those who share your interests, values, and vision; look for opportunities to collaborate or mentor. Avoid being too salesy or self-centered; make a positive impression with your enthusiasm and value-adds. Being memorable is key!