Improvement, data science pros to convene in Atlanta Sept. 19-21

NORCROSS, Ga. - PrZen -- With a growing reputation as a world-renowned tech hub, metro Atlanta serves as the perfect gathering spot for the Lean Six Sigma & Data Science Conference Sept. 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency Perimeter in Atlanta.

The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers opens the three-day event to a wide-ranging field of industrial, management, manufacturing and quality engineers, educators, students, healthcare professionals, consultants, and operational and supply chain managers. Attendees can expect a bevy of speak­ers, workshops and educational sessions on five topic tracks, all addressing the nexus of process improvement and data analysis.

Three keynote speakers highlight the schedule, includ­ing Amelia Mink, founder and CEO of Atlanta-based Data Science Connect, Rich Sheridan, CEO and chief storyteller at Menlo Innovations, and Sze Yee Thong, business excellence director for Flex Global.

Ticketed preconference work­shops tee off the event at 8 a.m. Sept. 19: "Explainable AI (XAI) for Data Science and Performance Improvement" with Beju Rao, founder, president and CEO of Amruta, Inc.; and "Toyota Kata: People and Processes" with Leigh Ann Schil­dmeier, founder and president of Park Avenue Solutions.

Along with trending, innovative educational sessions, conference attendees will have plenty of chances to mingle with col­leagues and make new connections at a slate of networking events. Fun and high-tech combine in an outing at Topgolf Alpharetta at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 (space is limited with advanced signup required).

Attendees follow safety protocols allowing them to return to in-person learning, which was a welcome feature at last year's #Lean6Data2021 conference, also held in Atlanta.

"The conference breakout sessions were fantastic. The break-out sessions and especially the four-person panel all felt like open discussions, conversations. It made for a richer expe­rience," said Gabriel Turk, director of business development for MoreSteam.com. "Getting together with like-minded people to explore topics we're interested in made this, my first in-per­son event since March 2020, a wonderful experience that was personally and professionally beneficial. As an exhibitor and speaker, IISE's representatives consistently worked to help me feel prepared, considered and comfortable."

"Half of the value of the conference is being able to just talk with your colleagues who work in similar fields and that's just not something that you can do in a virtual arena, said Meredith Wright, manager of corporate accounts for Emory Continuing Education at Emory University. "I think making the connection in person is a lot easier than forming a relation­ship virtually. There's an element of trust that you struggle to build in a virtual environment. That's just much easier and more natural in person."

"Virtual is great – there's been so many technologies and techniques that everyone has learned being remote – but there's always going to be a need to be able to network and be able to be in contact with people," said Melissa Rosado, a senior research analyst from Charlotte, North Carolina. "Being able to do it in a safe environment and be able to share what's been going on in the industry during the pandemic has been a great experience."

Advance registration savings are available through Sept. 16. For details, go to iise.org/Lean6Data.

About IISE: The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers is the world's largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. Founded in 1948, IISE is an international, nonprofit association that provides knowledge, training, networking opportunities and recognition to enhance the skills and effectiveness of its members, customers and the profession. For more information about IISE, visit www.iise.org.