BIOLOGY

Geomagic, a worldwide software and services company, announces that Dr. Joel Orr, vice president and chief visionary of Cyon Research Corporation, will kick off "Convergence 2007," Geomagic's first annual global user conference, February 20-23. Bruce Jenkins, managing partner and senior analyst with Spar Point Research, will present an opening address on the challenges, opportunities, and business drivers of the digital shape sampling and processing (DSSP) market. The first day keynote will be presented by Col. Eileen Collins (Ret.), the commander of the NASA Space Shuttle Discovery. In her talk, entitled "From Apollo to Discovery," Collins will explore her leadership philosophy, her key takeaways from the Challenger disaster, her role in NASA's "Return to Flight" mission, and her triumph as the first female commander of the Space Shuttle. During her keynote, Collins will present a video of the space mission under her command with stunning images of Earth taken from outer space, and discuss the critical role Geomagic software played in ensuring the safe return of the astronauts on the "Return to Flight" mission STS-114. NASA used Geomagic software and DSSP technology to capture, recreate and analyze digital models used to repair the shuttle's heat-resisting tiles while Discovery was in orbit. In her public talks post-NASA, Collins has worked to ignite a passion for engineering and leadership excellence. The second day keynote will be presented by Geomagic's president, chairman and CEO Ping Fu, a frequent international keynote speaker on technology and entrepreneurship. Her address, entitled "A Picture of The Future: A Holistic Vision of the Convergence of Data and Market Trends," will outline how members of the DSSP community can work together to redefine key industries and share the fruits of the engineering revolution led by DSSP technology. "Convergence 2007" brings together Geomagic users from around the world to share knowledge and learn from industry-leading experts. The conference features two days of workshops where expert users, technology partners, and Geomagic innovators will present best-practice advice and tips. Selected speaker companies include Howmet, Schneider Electric, Penske Technology Group, the US Department of the Army's Benét Laboratories, and GN ReSound. A solutions center featuring Geomagic alliance partners will showcase the field's latest technology and equipment. The center's 12 exhibitors include Creaform, Steintek/NVision, CGI Inspection, Advanced Simulation Technology, ShapeGrabber, Capture 3D, FARO, Konica Minolta, Laser Design/GKS Inspection, VX Technologies, Z Corp., and Applied Precision. "Convergence 2007" offers the company's international customer base an opportunity to network with users, partners, and Geomagic management and staff. Confirmed attendees include leading companies like Honda, Toyota, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, GE, Mattel, IBM, 3M Unitek, SAIC, and government organizations including NASA. The registration fee for "Convergence 2007" is $250 USD ($350 after February 16). "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.