From the opening golf tournament and workshops on Monday through the closing of the exhibits on Thursday, Coal Prep 08 provided high-level education, high-volume traffic on the show floor and the unique networking opportunities that make it the industry’s leading event. More than 2.000 attendees gathered to see the latest offerings from 225 leading suppliers of equipment, services and technologies.

Coal Prep 08 also featured perhaps the highest level of international participation to date, bringing together attendees from India, Australia, China, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa and numerous other nations involved in coal preparation. “We’ve met some potential new international customers here, which is always good news,” said Rob Robertson, VP & General Manager, Taggart Global. “We’re having some good conversations that could really help us expand our market.”

The industry’s International nature was one of the themes of the multi-part opening day keynote address. Discussing the 16th ICPC  (International Coal Processing Conference), scheduled in 2010, Doug Jenkinson, Chairman Emeritus of the ICPC outlined the event’s history over the past 50 years. IOC (international Organizing Committee) Chairman William Kalb noted the growth of the international community and its growing influence in the industry.

The keynote also included the passing of the torch in the leadership of Coal Prep’s sponsoring organization, the Coal Preparation Society of America (CPSA). Donovan Symonds, Retiring Chairman of Norwest, who had served as the association’s chief executive, introduced the incoming president, Mel Laurilla of QC Inc.

The keynote speaker, Thomas Sarkus, Division Director, Advanced Energy Initiatives Div. National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Dept of Energy, spoke on Fossil Energy, Clean Coal Technology and FutureGen, updating the standing-room only audience of progress in coal to liquid, gasification and carbon sequestration, also noting that the states which used coal as the primary fuel in electrical generation enjoyed the lowest prices per kW hour.

Opening day closed with a gala cocktail reception in the lobby of the Lexington Convention Center, which the facility jointly sponsored with the Lexington Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Radisson and Hyatt Hotels. Attendees enjoyed sumptuous buffets, carving stations, open bar and a bluegrass trio.

The educational program experienced growth as well, with solid turnouts for just about all sessions. “The 6-hour seminar on operator guidelines was worth its weight in gold,” noted Bob Shufflebotham. Director of Operations  at Phoenix Coal Mining & Sales, Vinita, OK. “It refocused us by reminding us that we don’t have to change everything.”

Gary Trump, Director of Coal Preparation, Murray Energy Corp. Beallsville, OH  perhaps summed it up best when he said “In the many years I’ve attended, I’ve made a lot of contacts and found suppliers that have been helpful. Being at Coal Prep is like a homecoming to me.”