Changing Times
by Brian Berkeley President, Society for Information Display
As of this writing, final preparations are being made for Display Week 2014, which will be held during the first week of June. The display industry and academia will gather in San Diego, California, to present, teach, learn, show, and tell about the latest technical and commercial progress in our field. Networks will be tapped and expanded, deals will be done, press releases will announce key developments, and there will certainly be a buzz in the air as the world’s biggest display event reveals this year’s advancements. Our field moves so quickly, and attending the annual Display Week conference is perhaps the single best way to keep up with all of the rapid change.
In a previous column, I noted that SID was founded in California just over 50 years ago. Over the last 20 years, fully one-half of the annual Display Weeks have been held in California. This ratio will only increase in the coming years, owing to exhibitor feedback, international access, and proximity to Silicon Valley, especially considering the large concentration of companies headquartered in California that integrate and consume displays. In 2015, Display Week will be held in San Jose, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. Then, in 2016, Display Week will return to San Francisco at the Moscone Center. We look forward to welcoming you to the Golden State this year and in future years.
This article will be my last “President’s Corner” column, for my 2-year term as SID President is nearing its end. I will continue serving on SID’s Executive Committee as Past President. SID’s bylaws, which can be found at http://www.sid.org/About/Bylaws.aspx, specify term limits for SID’s officers. This turnover is a healthy thing for the society. The current progression through SID’s Executive Committee involves 2-year terms starting as Secretary and continuing in succession through each of the roles of Treasurer, President Elect, President, and Past President. Each of these positions comes with various responsibilities. For example, the President Elect chairs the Senior Member Grade and Long Range Planning Committees, and the Past President chairs the Nominating Committee, which selects the future leadership of SID.
Although volunteering at the senior-most SID Executive Committee level involves a 10-year commitment, SID always needs volunteers at all levels. Please rest assured that you can assist at the chapter level or even with SID’s international activities without making a decade-long commitment! I hope you will consider volunteering with SID. Volunteers are the lifeblood of SID, and helping to organize a local conference, referee technical papers, work on the website, or support SID in any number of other ways can be very rewarding.
The last 2 years have seen remarkable change in the world of displays, including improvements in all aspects of display performance, input technologies, materials, flexibility and form factor improvements, process technologies, cost innovation, and positive developments across the board. I am confident that this trend will continue. I am also happy to report that the past 2 years have been quite positive for SID as well, including membership growth, increased conference and publication quality, and improved operational and financial health.
During Display Week 2014, Dr. Amal Ghosh will take the reins as SID’s incoming president. It has been a privilege to serve the SID membership during these past 2 years, and especially at the society’s 50th anniversary. Special thanks go to Samsung for encouraging and supporting my continued participation on SID’s Executive Committee.
Please give Amal your support and thank you for your membership with SID. •