ASNT Conference 2023

While I was still recovering from my visit to Houston, Texas, for the 2023 American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Annual Conference, I researched some independent reviews and found this interesting perspective of the conference from an industry newcomer’s viewpoint.

Curtis McLean is a Canadian professional with a diverse background in technology-based industries, including architecture, environmental design and industrial construction. He had never had an opportunity to venture into the world of conferences, nor had he been a part of a professional network that could be described as a community. He came to ASNT 2023 to kindle his ambition and meet the driving force and strength behind the non-destructive testing (NDT) industry: its people.

Earlier this year, while he was working on a pipeline in British Columbia during a long and arduous winter, he met a man whose hands were clean, whose coveralls were new and whose work, methodically and carefully performed, seemed exacting and purposeful. He asked him what he was doing and received a description of NDT.

As this man continued speaking, Curtis realised that these three letters represented a vast complex of principles that describe and measure the hidden structures of our planet, ensuring the safety and integrity of our cultural and industrial achievements. He left that conversation with a notepad scribbled with new acronyms and embarked on a journey to understand their significance for his future.

Curtis completed his associate NDT training at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology within six months of that chance encounter. The ASNT publications played a crucial role in that achievement, fuelling his desire to join and participate in the society’s diverse initiatives and development opportunities, including attending the ASNT Annual Conference.

From service providers, technicians, engineers, sales and talent acquisition experts to ASNT’s leadership, including the board of directors, standing committees and numerous dedicated volunteers and support staff, many parties collaborated diligently to generate opportunities and foster connections for him during the conference.

Dr Brent Seales delivered the closing keynote speech, providing details of his work and incredible insights into how he and his team digitally interpret delicately preserved historical antiquities. Despite the unique nature of his research, he pointed to his kinship with those in attendance.

The NDT community is like a family tree that branches and grows in unexpected and increasingly diverse ways.

Curtis is looking forward to making his own unique contribution to this remarkable industry and following in the footsteps of those who have come before him, many of whom he felt honoured to stand beside at ASNT 2023.

Curtis is a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) Associate in Alberta, Canada. His interests are in asset integrity management and NDE integration for oil & gas, aerospace and power generation industries (www.linkedin.com/in/cmcleanndt). He was chosen to be a guest blogger at ASNT 2023.

Comments by members

This forum post has no comments, be the first to leave a comment.

<< Back