That's because the theme of the record-setting conference on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Northeast Florida was "Effective Corporate Asset Management in a Global Marketplace."

From opening keynote speaker Thomas Faranda to closing session speaker Phyllis Eisen, the focus was squarely on the challenges facing multinational manufacturing companies in an era of increasing global competition.

Judging from the evaluations we received from attendees, most of you benefited greatly from the experience. Some 83 percent of attendees rated the Amelia Island Professional Forum overall at 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale of value. About 89 percent rated the networking environment at 8, 9 or 10; and 93 percent gave these high marks to the host venue, the Ritz-Carlton resort.

Some of the Forum's best take-aways were delivered by the general session speakers. If you attended Faranda's opening address on "Global Realities — Winning New Global Markets," you heard him predict that the European Union will fail and fall apart in the next 10 years; that the Euro as a currency will also fail in the next eight to 10 years; and that oil will climb to $150 a barrel by 2015. (For more on the EU, see the March 2007 EU Spotlight in Site Selection.)

IAMC Chair Scott Reed and Thomas Faranda at the Amelia Island opening session.

Faranda also forecast that the Pan-Asian marketplace will surpass the EU as a global economic power by 2017; that China's aggressive development plan will melt down after 2012; and that India will catch up with and ultimately pass China as an economic force by 2017.

If you attended the Leadership Development Seminar, you heard speakers Jim Warner and John Drury talk about "Authentic Leadership of Your Enterprise — of Your Life." You heard them explain how it's possible to achieve that elusive work-life balance, and how to achieve it without burning out. You heard them talk about the importance of forming human bonds that last, and about the lasting impact of forging relationships built upon mutual trust and respect.

If you listened closely to keynoter Jeff Tobe talk about "Coloring Outside the Lines," you were challenged to look at old concepts in new ways and to set about deliberately to change old habits and old ways of doing things at your company or organization. Tobe challenged his audience to, literally, question everything. "If it ain't broke, break it," he said, in all seriousness. He challenged his listeners to abolish internal myopia from their organizations, actively solicit feedback from all corners, and blatantly disagree with the so-called experts.

Economist Loren Scott described how interest rates, energy supply and demand, and tight labor markets would change the way that companies do business in the future. He also encouraged his audience with predictions of steady economic growth in the years ahead for the U.S. economy, coupled with very low inflation.

IAMC Vice Chair Peter Garra and Loren Scott.

Counterbalancing that, NAM's Phyllis Eisen told IAMC members to expect radical change in global manufacturing. "The cost issues in the U.S. right now are stunning," she said. "Our costs here are 32 percent higher than our closest competitor. California business costs are 54 percent more than the closest U.S. competitor, and our energy costs are out of whack."

Eisen called for a bold new plan to prepare American workers for the demands of global manufacturing. She said it would take a nationwide K-12 education system that's "not broken," more students attaining two-year and four-year degrees, and more programs graduating more scientists and engineers. "Some 65 percent of American companies cannot find the scientists and engineers they need," she said. "And 80 percent can't find the skilled work force they need."

Ultimately, she challenged her audience to place an even greater value on manufacturing jobs, which currently pay an average annual wage in America of $66,000.

In short, Eisen challenged her listeners to acquire a higher global I.Q. so that they will understand and appreciate the need to make American manufacturing operations more globally competitive.

"We are in a race for the talent to keep us competitive," she said. "The only thing that will save us is talent."

Ron Starner