INDA’s annual FILTRATION International Conference & Exposition, held November 12-14, 2013, Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, drew a record number of attendees who braved the frigid temperatures hitting the Midwest and East Coast to conduct business with exhibitors representing all aspects of the filter media value chain. Also on tap was an outstanding conference program that reflected this year’s FILTRATION theme of “Filtration Protecting Health & Environment”.

Filter media and component suppliers, customers and the entire filtration value chain from around the world met for three days of education and business interactions. FILTRATION is one of the largest and most important filtration industry events in the world, drawing over 1500 attendees from more than 30 countries.

“Filtration is playing an increasingly important role in the world today. Air quality research continues to link airborne contaminants to human health issues, indoors and out. Air and liquid filtration can provide health benefits to those with asthma, allergies or immune-compromised systems,” says Dave Rousse, INDA President.

“Here at FILTRATION, attendees from all over the world were able to see the latest in filter media, its technologies and the value it has to create innovative products to address health concerns. INDA was pleased to bring premium conference content and exhibitors together for three days of invaluable interactions.”

One of the highlights of FILTRATION 2013 was the keynote session presented by Dr. John Spengler, Harvard University School of Public Health, entitled “Climate Change, Indoor Environment and Health.” Dr. Spengler outlined the current challenges facing society today with global warming and the amount of time people subsequently spend indoors. Spengler spoke of the tremendous opportunity this presents to the entire filtration industry.

Also at FILTRATION 2013, the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) conducted the Air Filtration Tutorial for the second year in a row. The tutorial was part of the NAFA Certified Air Filter Specialist (CAFS) program — the first education and certification program designed specifically for air filtration professionals. Dr. Christine Sun, Textile Research Associates, and Dr. Wu Chen, Dow Chemical, led a tailor-made Liquid Tutorial especially for FILTRATION attendees. Both tutorials were well-received and gave attendees information the basics in air and liquid filtration.

Filtration 2014 is scheduled for November 18-20, 2014 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.