Please join us for the Cordage Institute and Eurocord’s 6th Joint Conference to enjoy plenty of opportunities to connect and collaborate with members of both organizations. The program will feature technical working group and committee meetings, presentations by industry experts, member-led discussions, the Sim Whitehill Golf Tournament, and social activities.

In addition, on the evening of Monday, June 17th, the Cordage Institute will present the Richards Technical Contribution Award to a representative of the Technical Committee, and Steve Hudson, a longtime member and Past President of the Cordage Institute, will be recognized with the prestigious Gale Foster Award of Merit.

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Keynote Presentation

“A.I. in the Law”

By Professor W. Keith Robinson

General Business Session – Tuesday, June 18

 

As artificial intelligence transforms manufacturing, it also raises important legal considerations for the cordage industry around IP protection, product liability, and the development of standards. This talk will explore the potential applications of AI and machine learning in the cordage industry while also discussing best practices for navigating the associated legal risks and leveraging IP to safeguard AI-driven innovations.

Professor W. Keith Robinson, Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Programs, Faculty Director for Intellectual Property, Technology, Business, and Innovation, Wake Forest University School of Law

Keith Robinson is a Professor of Law at the Wake Forest University School of Law. Professor Robinson is a nationally recognized patent scholar.  He researches how legal institutions govern emerging technology. He has commented on issues of intellectual property law in media outlets and given more than seventy presentations around the world on patent law.  Thomson Reuters has twice recognized Professor Robinson’s articles as the best that year in intellectual property law.  His recent work has explored how artificial intelligence may impact obtaining U.S. patents. Robinson’s work has been cited in briefs before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the court that hears all appeals in the U.S. arising under the patent laws).  The Federal Circuit has also cited his work favorably.  His most recent article is published in the Nevada Law Journal.  In addition, he has published articles in the Florida Law Review, DePaul Law Review, and the American University Law Review. Robinson graduated from Duke University, earning a BS in electrical engineering.  He received his JD, cum laude from Duke University.  After law school, he worked for the Washington, DC law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP, where his practice focused on patent law.  While at Foley & Lardner, Robinson was an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Law School.  Before joining Wake Forest, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the SMU Dedman School of law for ten years. There, he was an Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor, a founding Co-Director of the Tsai Center for Law, Science and Innovation, and Faculty in Residence in Kathy Crow Commons on the campus of SMU.

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Technical Seminar Presentations

Please join us for the Technical Seminar on Wednesday, June 19. Presentations will cover timely and noteworthy topics related to fiber ropes, cables, chains, and other synthetic tension members.

• Integrated Structural Health Monitoring of Woven Structures

  Presented by Dr. Osgar J. Ohanian and Matthew Davis with Luna Innovations Incorporated

• Yarn-on-Yarn Testing Method – Stability Improvement for Abrasion and CoF Measurements

  Presented by Dr. Yuhua Wang with Zhejiang Four Brothers Rope Co. Ltd.

• Biotwine Made from Seaweed to Replace Petroleum-Based Plastic Twine and Tubular Mesh for Terrestrial and Ocean Farmers

  Presented by Katie Weiler and Emma MacFarlane with Viable Gear

• Untangling Justice: The Forensic Examination of Cordage at the FBI Laboratory

  Presented by Linda M. Otterstatter with FBI Trace Evidence Unit

• Industry 4.0 and Rope Manufacturing – How Will the Data Revolution Change One of Our Oldest Inventions

  Presented by Luis Padila with Knowix

• Bio-Based Coatings and Life Cycle Management/Assessment: An Update – Climate Change, Sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment and Coatings: What to do?

  Presented By Koen van Goethem with I-Coats N.V

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HOTEL INFORMATION

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

 

Address:
130 Shipyard Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
https://www.sonesta.com/
833-538-2400

Nestled along the Atlantic Coast, the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is an oceanfront property that offers breathtaking views, easy access to the beach, world-renowned golf courses, tennis courts, bicycle rentals, and numerous attractions within a short drive.

Surrounded by the smell of the ocean and boasting picturesque sunrises, the well-appointed guest rooms and suites will make you feel pampered and rejuvenated. Modern amenities, supreme comfort, and the smell of the ocean create the ultimate escape from the everyday.

Our discounted room rate is $285 plus state and local taxes per night. There is an additional $15 per room, per day resort fee, which includes the following:

 

-Self-parking

-Unlimited access to the gated Shipyard community

-Transportation to and from the Shipyard Golf Course

-High-speed Internet for up to 5 devices in each room

-24-hour access to the fitness center

-Access to the heated outdoor pool, heated shade pool, and hot tub

-Pool towel service

-Direct beach access

 

The check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and check out time is 11:00 a.m.

Reserve your accommodations before Friday, May 17 by clicking on the below link or mention the event when you call 843-842-2400.

Hotel Reservations

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REGISTRATION FEES

Conference Registration Fee                      $775 per person

Companion Registration Fee                      $350 per person

 

The registration fee includes admittance to all meetings and events, breakfast and coffee breaks on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, lunch on Monday, and the cocktail receptions and dinners on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The Welcome Reception and Dinner on Sunday evening is sponsored by Cordage Institute and Eurocord Associate Members, and all are invited to attend.

Spouses/Companions who are full-time employees of Cordage Institute and Eurocord member companies must pay the full conference registration fee.

Separate fees apply for golf, club rentals, and the Dolphin Tour

All fees are non-refundable after Friday, June 7th. Cancellations prior to that date will be refunded in full, less a $50 US per registration processing fee.

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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Sim Whitehill Golf Tournament

The annual Sim Whitehill Golf Tournament will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18^th at the Shipyard Golf Club. Nestled within Hilton Head’s natural setting of majestic Carolina pine trees, flowering magnolias and moss draped oaks, the Shipyard Golf Club delivers memorable experiences for all skill levels. Shuttle transportation will be provided from the hotel to the Shipyard Golf Club.

Sim Whitehill Golf Tournament: $145 per person
Club Rentals: $70 per person

 

For those wishing to book additional tee times while in Hilton Head, discounted rates are available for attendees of the Cordage Institute and Eurocord’s 6^th Joint Conference at Heritage Golf courses. Contact Jean Maldonado directly at 843-422-6014 or email jmaldonado@heritagegolf.com to make arrangements.

 

Dolphin Tour

Join us on Tuesday afternoon to take in the sights and sounds of the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry on this relaxing boat cruise. Board at Shelter Cove Marina for a casual exploration of the picturesque Broad Creek and surrounding waterways in search of the area’s fascinating wildlife. There is something special to see at every turn. The tidal creeks offer great opportunities to see local and migratory dolphin populations. Distinctive behaviors of the local dolphin are so fascinating that researchers and scientists have sought out this locale for years. Herons, ibis, wood stork, bald eagles and osprey dot the landscape. This tour is led by a USCG-licensed Captain who, as an experienced Interpretive Naturalist, will be able to share with you an intrinsic knowledge of the habitat and the processes that take place within it.

After the tour, enjoy outdoor shopping at the Shelter Cove Marina before being driven back to the resort.

The bus will depart the resort at 1:00 p.m., and will return by approximately 4:30 p.m.

Dolphin Tour Fee: $145 per person

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Proper Attire
For all meetings, the attire is casual. The cocktail receptions and dinners are informal.

Weather
The daytime temperature on Hilton Head Island is expected to be warm and sunny with highs about 87°F (30.5°C). Evening temperatures are expected to drop to around 68°F (20°C).

Transportation & Parking
Airports – The closest major airports to Hilton Head Island are located in Savannah, GA, Jacksonville, FL, and Atlanta, GA. The resort is an approximately 45-minute drive from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, 3 hours from the Jacksonville International Airport, and 4 hours from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Connecting flights are available to the Hilton Head Island Airport, located approximately 20 minutes from the Sonesta Resort. Please note that shuttle transportation between the airports and the resort are not available.

Hotel Parking – Self-parking is free on property for those traveling by car.

Taxi/Uber/Lyft – The cost for one-way taxi service between the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and the resort is approximately $160, and the cost for one-way taxi service between the Hilton Head Island Airport and the resort is approximately $35. Ride sharing apps are available for local transportation. Please note that limited ground transportation options are available during evening hours.

Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Pete Lance or Dan Paschke in the Cordage Institute office at +1-610-971-4854 or info@ropecord.com.