TNI Semiannual Meeting: Forum on Laboratory Accreditation
The NELAC Institute hosts two regularly scheduled meetings per year, typically in January and August. Both are a week long and involve open meetings of the TNI committees as well as training courses and other special sessions. The summer meeting is held in combination with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference.
Forum on Laboratory Accreditation
August 5-9, 2013
Hyatt Regency San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Future Meetings
January 27-30, 2014, Louisville, KY
August 4-8, 2014, Washington, DC
With over 250 attendees, the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation is the only conference that brings laboratories, regulatory agencies, data users, sampling firms, and many other organizations to discuss cutting-edge changes in environmental laboratory accreditation and future directions in policy that will have a national impact. In addition to the committee meetings and general sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to attend technical training courses, see the latest products and services in the industry and be able to network with peers.
Who should attend?
- State and federal officials concerned about data quality
- Data users
- Laboratories (e.g., commercial, industrial, municipal, state and federal)
- Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations
- Quality managers
Why should you attend?
The Forum offers attendees an opportunity to exchange ideas, findings, and recommendations in a professional setting. The strong and diverse program will address a number of timely issues that affect data quality. Training sessions will be offered in conjunction with the meeting. A vendor exhibition will bring the latest in technology and services to the attendees.
We are pleased to invite you to the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation, the principal conference for addressing policy and technical issues affecting the accreditation of environmental laboratories. The August 2013 Forum will focus on implementaiton of recommendations from the Accreditation Body Task Force, proposed changes to the laboratory standards, and updates to teh proficiency test program. A major emphasis of the meeting will be on TNI's new National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP).
The Forum will feature open public meetings of all TNI committees to allow quality professionals, chemists, analysts, microbiologists, engineers, and managers from federal and state agencies; commercial, municipal, state and federal laboratories; and many others who are actively involved and interested in accreditation issues to review what has been done and participate in the efforts to establish a national program for environmental laboratories. The August 2010 Forum will include:
- An assessment forum
- A mentoring session
- Meetings of all TNI committees
- A meeting of EPA’s Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB), and
- A workshop on the new TNI standards
Click Here for On-Line Registration
The National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC) The National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC), held concurrently with TNI's summer meeting, is the largest conference focused on environmental measurements in North America! The conference brings together scientists and managers from federal and state agencies, the regulated community, academia, and laboratory and engineering support communities. NEMC features presentations, posters, training, exhibits, and networking opportunities. Since 2006, NEMC has been co-sponsored by TNI under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The technical program is organized by a committee of environmental experts from government, academia, and private industry to bring together a balance of technical and policy topics for each year's symposium that are of interest to all. The conference was initiated in 1985 as part of EPA's efforts to foster a partnership among the Agency, the regulated community, the public, state regulatory agencies, and the other members of the monitoring community. More information about NEMC can be found at www.nemc.us. |
| MONDAY, AUGUST 5 | |
| 8:15 – 8:45 | Keynote Address: Chemistry of Peppers Martin Bensinger, Technical Director, Seco Spice Ltd. Co. |
| 9:00 – 12:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| 12:00 – 1:30 | Lunch on Your Own OR Attend a Free Lunch Seminar with Either BUCHI Corporation or Waters Corporation |
| 1:30 – 5:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Opening Reception and Exposition |
| TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 | |
| 8:15 – 8:45 | Keynote Address: Linking Low-dose Exposure of Environmental Contaminants to Health Effects Dr. Linda Birnbaum, Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) |
| 9:00 – 12:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch Provided Lunch Address: The San Antonio Aqueduct System James Oliver, Landscape Architect, National Park Service |
| 1:00 – 5:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Optional Seminar with Bruker Daltonics |
| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 | |
| 8:30 – 12:00 | General Session: Policy and Technical Issues Surrounding Shale Gas Exploration |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch Provided Lunch Address: EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy Adand Mudambi, USEPA, Office of the Science Advisor |
| 1:00 – 5:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Reception |
| THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 | |
| 8:15 – 8:45 | Keynote Address: Is the Paradigm for Air Pollution Monitoring Changing? Dave Shelow, USEPA OAQPS |
| 9:00 – 12:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| 12:00 – 1:30 | Lunch Provided |
| 1:30 – 5:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 | |
| 8:00 – 12:00 | Concurrent Sessions
|
| 11:00 – 12:00 | TNI: Plenary Session - Committee and Program Reports |
The table below summarizes registration fees:
Symposium Registration1 |
Full Conference |
Daily |
| Attendee Registration | $495 |
$215 |
| Participant2 | $375 |
$165 |
| EPA Employee | $300 |
$140 |
| Student | $170 |
$70 |
Notes:
1. Symposium registration includes participation in all meetings, and all printed materials. The registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and receptions on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
2. A Participant is a NEMC Session Chair, a speaker at NEMC, or a member of a TNI Committee or Board.
You may register using our on-line registration system or by completing the registration form (PDF).
Training Courses
1. Powerful Communications – Public Speaking for Scientists
This seminar will explore how scientists can effectively present data and results in an exciting, convincing manner. At the end of this session, the participant is empowered to seek new and interesting ways to present charts, graphs, and results while telling a story which ties the many parts together. Several opportunities for audience involvement will be presented.
Date and Time: Friday, August 9; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Rick Parmely, Polished and Professional LLC
Fee: $215
2. Implementing the 2009 TNI Standard in Your Laboratory
The objective of this one-day course is to help laboratory management understand the requirements of the 2009 TNI Standard. The material, based on the requirements outlined in the V1M2 of the 2009 TNI standard, will “demystify” terminology, provide assistance in understanding the requirements, and provide guidance on how to incorporate the requirements of the Standard into laboratory operations without disrupting current practices. The participants will also take part in group activities that will enhance their ability to apply the standard to their laboratory operations.
Date and Time: Friday, August 9; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Silky Labie, Environmental Laboratory Consulting and Technologies
Fee: $225
3. NEFAP as seen through the FOG - Quality for Field Operations
The objective of the training is to present information on the essential elements needed to ensure the technical competence and performance of field operations. The course provides Field Sampling and Management Organizations (FSMO’s) with a detailed comparison of the EPA Field Operational Group (FOG) guidelines and TNI FSMO standard requirements. The information is provided for managers/supervisors and quality officers of field operations to identify these elements and prepare for accreditation or a project officers review of these elements. An efficient field operation must implement these elements in a cost effective manner. The course provides insight and techniques to address the guidelines and requirements within one management system. The examples used in the course are practical examples that can be adapted by any field operation.
Date and Time: Friday, August 9; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Marlene Moore, Advanced Systems
Fee: $165
Note: This course will also be offered simultaneously as a Webinar for a fee of $99 for TNI members and $119 for non-members.
Assessment Forum
Using ISO/IEC 17025 AB Interpretations to Assist Laboratory Compliance to the 2009 TNI Environmental Laboratory Standard
This interactive session is designed to provide attendees with an understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 AB interpretations of ISO/IEC 17025 requirements to strengthen the laboratory’s management system and support compliance to the 2009 TNI Standard.
Date and Time: Monday, August 5; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Matt Sica, ANSI/ASQ National Accreditation Board
Fee: Free to conference attendees
Mentor Session
Recent Developments in the Analysis of Cyanide
In the 2012 Method Update Rule, EPA approved 3 new methods for measuring cyanide and added a new analyte to 40 CFR Part 136, free cyanide. The rule also cites ASTM method D7365 for the collection and preservation of samples for cyanide. This mentor session will discuss the definitions of free, available, total cyanide including insoluble cyanide, discuss the interferences and sample preservation issues described in ASTM method D7365, and discuss various interferences and related problems in measuring different forms of cyanide. The session will include discussion of the new ASTM distillation gas diffusion method D7284, the new ASTM UV gas diffusion method D7511, and discuss applications of these methods to soil samples.
Date and Time: Thursday, August 8; 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Moderator: William Lipps, Xylem, Inc
Fee: Free to conference attendees
Hyatt Regency San Antonio
123 Losoya
San Antonio, Texas, USA 78205
Tel: +1 210 222 1234
www.sanantonioregency.hyatt.com (for general hotel information only)
Special advance registration rates of $106 per night (single) or $131 (double) are available until July 12, 2013. To make your reservations, please click here. If you need additional assistance, please call 1-888-421-1442.
Across the street from the Alamo, experience the heart of the Riverwalk at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio. The San Antonio Riverwalk (also known as Paseo del Río) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River. Lined by bars, shops and restaurants, the River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and a tourist attraction in its own right. The River Walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting the major tourist draws from The Alamo to Rivercentermall, to La Villita, to Hemisfair Park.
San Antonio Mission Tour
Beginning in 1718, the Spanish church established five Catholic missions along the San Antonio River, primarily to extend its dominion northward from Mexico, but also to convert the native population. What remains of the largest concentration of missions in North America provides an interesting look into history. The NEMC Steering Committee is planning opportunities for you to explore these buildings on Wednesday and Friday and learn how the San Antonio acequias provided water to this growing city. Make your plans to stay over an extra day and learn more about life in the 18th century.
Tuesday’s luncheon speaker, James Oliver, Landscape Architect, National Parks Service will present “The San Antonio Aqueduct System” and discuss how vital the aqueduct system was to the success of the missions. If you are interested in scheduling a tour of the missions, information will be available at the conference registration desk to assist you.
Transportation
From San Antonio International Airport (12 miles):
Take 281 S. which will turn into I-37 S. near the downtown area. Follow I-37 S. and exit Houston Street. Turn right on Houston. Proceed 5 blocks to Broadway. Turn left on Broadway and continue down 3 blocks. Hotel is on the right. (Broadway changes names to Losoya Street)
As in previous years, an exhibition will occur during the conference. Exhibit hours will be from 5:30 pm on Monday, August 6 (i.e., opening coincides with the start of the Opening Reception) though 3:30 pm on Wednesday, August 8 (i.e., closing coincides with the end of the Wednesday afternoon break).
For more information about the Exhibit program, click here.
Conference Sponsors
Internet Cafe Sponsors
Contributors