You want answers? You can't handle this many answers-if only because ISA 2002 will have so much going on during its four-day run, Oct. 21-24, at Chicago's McCormick Place South. Organized by the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA, Research Triangle Park, NC), this year's show will feature close to 600 exhibitors; 120 technical sessions in 20 tracks; an emerging technologies conference; decennial temperature symposium, daily keynote speakers, special forums and pavilions and other events.

ISA 2002 is expected to attract about 20,000 visitors. In fact, pre-registration on Sept. 12 was within 100 attendees of the total registered before last year's show, according to Tracy Barrett, ISA's convention services manager. ISA 2001 had been on track to reach 25,000 visitors, but it was cut short due to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

• Highlights of this year's event will include:
• ISA 2002 Technical Conference's 100 sessions will cover: analysis, testing and measurement; computer technology and electro-optics; information and network security; management, marketing and sales; motion control, robotics and expert systems; process measurement and control systems; safety; telemetry and communications. This conference also oversees the Motion Control Pavilion and Forum, 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 23, which will include a discussion of motion control issues by 10 executives.
• The 2nd Annual Emerging Technologies Conference has scheduled 25 sessions covering recent advances in communications and safety; control and automation; manufacturing and design; biomedical technology; control technologies and emerging applications; as well as a Sensors for Measurement and Control Symposium and Pavilion.
• The 8th International Temperature Symposium, held once each decade since 1919, has the theme, 'Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry.'
• A Career Fair for job seekers and employers at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 22 at McCormick Place South. Interested employers should contact Paul Raihle at 800/288-2890, x168, or visit partner.brassring.com/cf2002/isa.htm.
• Special forums open to all ISA 2002 attendees will include: 'Cybersecurity of Industrial Control Systems' at 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 22; and 'Dick's Last Retort' at 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 23.

Exhibitors will demonstrate numerous useful solutions during the four-day show. New Product Showcase will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 21-24 near ISA 2002's registration area at McCormick Place South. Solutions will include:

• BusWorks 900PB Series 12-channel analog and discrete I/O modules from Acromag Inc. (Wixom, MI) provide a direct interface to Profibus-DP networks for up to 12 channels in a 1-in. wide DIN-rail package. www.acromag.com Booth 1311,
• Fieldbus Foundation (Austin, TX) will use freestanding Fieldbus Solution Pavilions to demonstrate FOUNDATION fieldbus technology, products and services from automation providers. www.fieldbus.org Booth 3431, 3631
• HART Communication Foundation (Austin, TX) is celebrating the HART Field Communications protocol's 12th year and highlighting the latest HART-capable solutions, instruments, and systems with device product family groupings, live system demonstrations, device pedestals, a devices wall, and a 'Power of HART' display. www.hartcomm.org Booth 1407
• Meeting or exceeding SEMI Standard F57-0301 for ultrahigh-purity polymer system components, Swagelok's (Solon, OH) DRP ultrahigh-purity fluoropolymer diaphragm valve is designed for use in many applications, including aggressive CMP slurry, acid, chemical, and ultrahigh-purity DI water delivery systems. www.swagelok.com Booth 1416

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