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WBF Membership

The primary benefit of membership in WBF is the efficient interchange of highly focused ideas and information; know-how that can be applied directly to making manufacturing operations more profitable and more reliable. The forum integrates a variety of disciplines for a common focused purpose. Keeping yourself and your company up to date on evolving industry standards, regulations, products, services and technologies is the reason for the forum.

WBF conferences are held annually in North America and bi-annually in Europe. Each is open to all interested participants and is an excellent opportunity to learn about the practical experiences of other professionals and to take advantage of what others have learned without repeating their mistakes. Proceedings of the conferences are available, for those who cannot attend, for a fee. (Please see Order Form section.) Other methods for networking are also supported including the following:

  • A periodic electronic bulletin focused on relevant updates, activities, and news in the industry
  • WBF List Server for discussions
  • Easy access to experienced professionals in batch process manufacturing
  • Technical papers written by members and industry professionals
  • Industrial studies and benchmarks
  • Assessment of the impact of industry standards and regulations
  • A distribution service for delivery of information to members
  • Training courses
  • Annual North American Conference
  • Bi-annual European Conference
  • Sponsor exhibits at both annual conferences
  • Working Groups
  • Web casts and regional sessions
  • An international view of important issues in manufacturing automation and information integration.

SPECIFIC FEES and BENEFITS

The North American conference is held annually in the spring of each year and the European conference is held bi-annually in the fall. Prior membership is encouraged but is not required for attendance. In addition to just "showing up" at the annual meeting, there are five levels of membership, all of which reduce the cost of conference attendance and provide other benefits.


INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

Fee: $50 per year
Terms of Membership: Individual memberships are for a one-year period beginning on the date payment is received. All Individual Members will be invoiced annually for their membership payment two months prior to their anniversary date.

The Individual Membership fee is included in WBF conference fees if it has not been paid prior to conference registration. All attendees at a conference become Individual members. If membership is based on conference attendance, the membership year is begins on the date of the conference starts and ends on June 30 of the following year for the North American conference and until December 31 of the following year for the European conference. Individuals who do not attend a conference may join as an Individual Member at any time and will receive the “member” conference rate for any conference during the membership year.



CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

There are four Corporate Member categories: Sponsor, End-User Sponsor, System Integrator and Company Member. Each category is assigned separate fees and benefits.

SPONSOR

Fees: New and renewing Sponsor Membership fees are $5,000 for a one-year period.
Terms of Sponsorship: Sponsorships are renewable as of January 1 of each calendar year.

Benefits

  1. Use of  WBF logos.
  2. Mailing and publications, both printed and electronic.
  3. Exhibit space at conferences.
  4. Access to WBF Working Groups.
  5. Use of membership mailing list once a year.
  6. One general membership vote.
  7. The right to copy and distribute WBF technical papers.
  8. Listing as a Sponsor on key WBF mailings and promotions.
  9. Attractive sponsor placard.
  10. Company Logo listed on WBF website and link to company website.
  11. Access to all technical proceedings.
  12. 2500 Credits that may be used in lieu of cash for conference attendance, individual membership fees and certain other expenses.
  13. A discount of 20% for all conference registrations not paid for with credits.
  14. Access to WBF webcasts.

Sponsor Credit System and Use
A credit system has been established for Sponsors. There is to be one contact person per Sponsor who will be responsible for determining the distribution of the credits. The 2,500 credits may be utilized as follows:

  • Registration fees for all conferences, Web casts and other educational programs. The designated contact person is the only one who can assign credits for registration fees. Registrants may be all from one company or a combination of end-user clients and employees of the Sponsoring company.
  • All registrations for any conference during a membership year that are obtained using credits are charged at the published WBF Member registration fee rate (i.e., either the “early bird” or at “conference” rate). Credits may only be used if authorized in writing by the designated contact person for the Sponsor.
  • Individual memberships for end-users or Sponsor member company employees.
  • Exhibit table space at either or both conferences at the then-current rate set to cover WBF costs charged by the venue for the table, setup and power.
  • Pay for any WBF products such as shirts, CDs, ISA88 books, and other promotional items.

END-USER Sponsor

Fees: New and renewing Sponsor Membership fees are $5,000 for a one-year period.
Terms of Membership: Memberships are renewable as of January 1 of each calendar year.

Benefits

  1. Use of  WBF logos.
  2. Mailing and publications, both printed and electronic.
  3. Access to WBF Working Groups.
  4. Use of membership mailing list once a year.
  5. One general membership vote.
  6. The right to copy and distribute WBF technical papers.
  7. Listing as a Sponsor on all key WBF mailings and promotions.
  8. Attractive sponsor placard.
  9. Company Logo listed on WBF website and link to company website.
  10. Access to all technical proceedings.
  11. 6000 Credits that may be used in lieu of cash for conference attendance, individual membership fees and certain other expenses.
  12. A discount of 20% for all conference registrations not paid for with credits.

End – User Sponsor Credit System and Use
A credit system has been established for End-User Sponsors. There is to be one contact person per Sponsoring company who will be responsible for determining the distribution of available credits. The 6,000 credits may be utilized as follows:

  • Registration fees for all conferences, Web casts and other educational programs. The designated contact person is the only one who can assign credits for registration fees. Registrants may be for anyone designated by the designated contact person.
  • All registrations for any conference during a membership year that are obtained using credits are charged at the published WBF Member registration fee rate (i.e., either the “early bird” or at “conference” rate). Credits may only be used if authorized in writing by the designated contact person for the Sponsoring company.
  • Individual memberships for End-User company employees.
  • Pay for any WBF products such as shirts, CDs, SP88 books, and other promotional items.

SYSTEM INTEGRATOR Sponsor

Fees: New and renewing System Integrator sponsorship fees are $2,000 for a one-year period.
Terms of Sponsorship: Sponsorships are renewable as of January 1 of each calendar year.

Benefits:

  1. Use of WBF logos.
  2. Mailing and publications, both printed and electronic.
  3. Discounts for conference and seminar attendance.
  4. Access to WBF Working Groups.
  5. Use of membership mailing list once a year.
  6. One general membership vote.
  7. The right to copy and distribute WBF technical papers.
  8. Listing as an Integrator Sponsor on key WBF mailings and promotions.
  9. Attractive Integrator Sponsor placard.
  10. Company Logo listed on WBF website and link to company website.
  11. Complimentary registration for one person at a conference during the membership year.
  12. A discount of 20% for additional conference registrations.
  13. A table at no charge for one Integrator Café.

The Integrator Café – System Integrator Sponsors have the option, at one conference a year, to participate in an “Integrator Café”, a separate area reserved for Integrators during the Sponsor Showcase where integrators can discuss their services with interested attendees.

  • Unlike the main Sponsor Showcase area, promotion of a product or products is inappropriate and not permitted in the integrator café area.
  • Two chairs and a standard table of at least four feet and no more than six feet in length will be provided on request. Power is normally not available with these tables.

COMPANY MEMBER

Fees: New and renewing Company membership fees are $1,000 for a one year period.
Term of Membership: Memberships are renewable as of January 1 of each calendar year.

Benefits:

  1. Mailings and publications, both printed and electronic.
  2. Discounts for WBF conference, training and seminar attendance.
  3. Access to WBF working groups.
  4. One copy of technical proceedings/paper when attending conferences.
  5. Participation in the planned training and networking opportunities at the conferences.
  6. One general membership vote.
  7. At least four complimentary Web Seminars each year.
  8. Freedom to include any number of employees in group attendance for complimentary Web Seminars regardless of membership status.
  9. One complimentary registration for any conference held during the membership year.
  10. A 20% discount for any additional WBF conference registrations by designated employees of the member Company.