AEROSPACE

"Convergence 2007" speaker lineup also includes innovative users shaping the way products are designed, engineered, inspected and maintained: Geomagic (its Web site), a worldwide software and services company, announces that it will present a dynamic list of speakers at its first annual global users conference, February 20-23. "Convergence 2007" brings together Geomagic software users from around the world to share knowledge, learn from industry-leading experts, and celebrate the company's first decade in business as the worldwide leader in technology for digital shape sampling and processing (DSSP). Col. Eileen Collins (Ret.) "Convergence 2007" is keynoted by Col. Eileen Collins (Ret.), the commander of the Space Shuttle Discovery STS-114 mission and the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle, and Ping Fu, Geomagic chairman, president and CEO. Geomagic software technology played a critical role in ensuring the safe return of the astronauts on the "Return to Flight" mission STS-114 by enabling NASA to capture, recreate and analyze digital models used to repair the shuttle's tiles while Discovery was in orbit. Fu's keynote address is entitled "A Picture of The Future: A Holistic Vision of the Convergence of Data and Market Trends." "I will outline how Geomagic users can work together to redefine key industries and share the fruits of a rewarding future," says Fu. "My hope is that 'Convergence 2007' will reignite the sense of delight that comes from connecting dots to form limitless shapes." "Convergence 2007" features two days of workshops where expert users, technology partners, and Geomagic innovators will present best-practice advice for maximizing the value of the company's software suite, which includes Geomagic Studio® and Geomagic Qualify®. Geomagic Studio is the world's leading software platform for automated digital reconstruction and is used extensively for rapid prototyping. Geomagic Qualify provides an increasingly popular platform for part inspection, dramatically reducing tooling production times and increasing product quality. "Convergence 2007" offers the company's international customer base an opportunity to network with fellow users, company partners, and Geomagic management and staff. The conference kicks off February 20 with a networking reception followed by two days of knowledge exchange and interactive events. The registration fee for "Convergence 2007" is $250 USD ($350 after February 16). A two-day Advanced Studio 9 class will be offered prior to the conference, February 19-20. For "Convergence 2007" attendees, Geomagic is offering a $400 discount on the fee for the Advanced Studio 9 class. Normally $1200 without conference attendance, "Convergence 2007" attendees may register for this class for $800. "Convergence 2007" will be held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA, near the company's worldwide headquarters. Registration and event information is available on the Geomagic website at www.geomagic.com.