IEEE PCIC 2003 Fiftieth Annual Technical Conference of the  Petroleum and Chemical Industry Committee Houston, Texas USA September 15 - 17, 2003

Welcome to PCIC 2003 / Houston, Texas
(from Mr. Kirk Armintor, Local PCIC Committee Chairman)

Welcome to Houston!

The Petroleum and Chemical Industry Committee of the Industry Applications Society of IEEE Invites you to the 50^th Annual PCIC Conference in Houston, Texas USA.  This PCIC Conference is the Industry Application Society’s premier meeting for the practicing electrical engineer seeking practical information directly applicable to his or her work.

The Conference will be held September 15 – 17, 2003 at the Westin Galleria Hotel, located in The Galleria set beneath spectacular glass atriums.  Between the Westin Galleria and the Westin Oaks, most or all of the conference attendees will be accommodated. The Galleria complex features 300 fine stores, restaurants and an impressive ice rink. This world-class shopping complex showcases the best names in retailing including Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Gucci, Macy's, Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, The Sharper Image, Ralph Lauren Collection, Lord & Taylor and St. John. A 700,000 square-foot expansion added 70 stores, including Foley's and Houston's first Nordstrom.

With the expansion, The Galleria has become the fifth largest mall in the nation highlighted by nine types of stone, suspended glass balconies, three types of wood, glass skylights, and plush leather seating. With three office towers, two hotels, 1.7 million square feet of retail space, and a variety of restaurants, The Galleria is a city within a city.

Houston is one of the most diversified city’s on the Gulf Coast, if not the nation, with a  $15-billion petrochemical complex.  Houston is a major U.S. gateway for international trade, and ranks number one in the nation in foreign tonnage and second in total tonnage.  There are 77 countries represented in the area with consulates.

The renowned Texas Medical Center is home to 42 non profit institutions on 675 acres, ranking it as the largest medical center in the world.  The Texas Medical Center has an estimated economic impact of $11.5 billion a year on Houston's economy.

Houston's NASA/Johnson Space Center trains America's astronauts and coordinates operations development and design work for the space missions, Space Shuttle and the International Space Station.

The IEEE PCIC 2003 Houston Local Committee welcomes you to Houston with open arms.  Great quest tours are planned.  Ya’ll come, stay a while and you will wonder why you went back home. We look forward to a fantastic Golden Anniversary with a very large quest attendance.  After all, where else can you learn so much about your professional calling and have such a good time along the way. 

Kirk Armintor
Local 2003 PCIC Committee Chairman
Houston, Texas