Some good things come around every year. Christmas and New Years come to mind. But some good things don't. This is one of them. METALWORKING FLUID MAGAZINE has learned that the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association is in the planning phase for production of the 5th International Metal Removal Fluids Conference. The last one held in the US was six long years ago in 2008 at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Michigan. Co-planners for that event included AIHA, UEIL, and AIAG. It was three solid days of overlapping presentations on metalworking fluids. The currently planned location is Rosemont, Illinois. If our information is correct and plans go forward, the date will be around September 27-30th. METALWORKING FLUID MAGAZINE has attended this event in the past, and they are without compare for a meeting of the best minds in the metalworking fluid industry worldwide. The 4th Symposium was held in 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. The 3rd was one in 2008, and 2nd was in 2002. If memory serves, the 1st symposium was titled Metalworking Fluid Symposium I and was held in about 1997. This was a time when OSHA, EPA, and NIOSH had formed "ONE " and were trying to respond to the newly identified hazard of metalworking fluid misting in the automotive industry. It was a different time. The 1st conference transformed ILMA from domestic lobbyist to worldwide activist through education. Since these early days, industry has learned to appreciate the true economic impact of metalworking fluids, and has acted to vastly improve the education of plant management and workers regarding the chemistry, application, disposal, maintenance and safe practices for metalworking fluids. It's not too early to circle your calendar and budget your 2105 trip to Illinois. We looked ahead and Texas residents are free to travel as these dates fall on Monday through Wednesday, so you won't miss your son's football game Friday night.