The American Welding Society (AWS) is sponsoring its 6th annual “Charting the Course in Welding: US Shipyards Conference,” to discuss the progress of new and innovative developments in welding, and their potential value and impact to the industry.

Welding is the most vital and fundamental manufacturing process in the construction of ships and metal hull boats, and the conference will address its critical importance in the shipbuilding industry by providing current information on new and emerging technologies being developed for shipbuilding applications.

The 2009 Shipbuilding Conference is set for June 16 and 17 in New Orleans. Lee Kvidahl, past president of the American Welding Society, is chairman of the event.

Besides offering formal presentations, the conference is designed to provide opportunities for networking with experts from academia and industry and with other participants.

An exhibition showcasing products and services available to the shipbuilding industry also will be featured during the two-day conference.

Conference registration is $550 for AWS members, $680 for nonmembers, and registration includes all conference sessions, two continental breakfasts, two lunches and refreshment breaks.

For more information and to register, call 800-443-9353, ext. 455, or visit the conferences section on the AWS website at www.aws.org/conferences.