The COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019 and most of 2020 was unprecedented, and like all organizations ASQ was forced to take necessary precautions and make difficult decisions. Sadly this included the cancellation of the World Conference on Quality Improvement (WCQI), which had been scheduled for May 4-6 in Columbus, Ohio. WCQI is ASQ’s premier conference; it hosts more than 100 exhibitors and 3,000 attendees from around the world. However, ASQ was not deterred and was able to quickly organize and host a WCQI Virtual event that took place on May 6, 2020. This special event was exclusively for ASQ members and provided free of charge.
But WCQI is much more than conference sessions and keynotes. Missing this year was the chance to visit with the many exhibitors, the countless in-person networking opportunities, the Team Excellence Award competition, and the special local attractions. Fortunately ASQ, in conjunction with its geographic sections and technical/industry divisions, will be offering many opportunities for the global quality community to attend conferences this fall. Two of the more prominent conferences are: ASQ’S Quality 4.0 Summit as well as the Inspection Division Conference in Salt Lake City on October 1-2. Both will provide attendees the opportunity to make up for what was missed this spring.