Performance Excellence for the 21st Century Theme of National Quality Month Event at NASA Ames Research Center

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

(Phone: 650/604-2162, 650/604-9000)

llewis@mail.arc.nasa.gov

NASA Ames Research Center has unveiled plans for “Quality Forum 2000,” a unique quality improvement conference designed to propel business, education, healthcare, government and non-profit organizations above and beyond the competitive edge in their field, community and marketplace.

During Quality Forum 2000, to be held October 17-18, 2000, at NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, CA, participants will be introduced to a model for continuous improvement and performance excellence based on the quality award assessment process. The workshop format of the conference includes opportunities for executives, managers and professionals – who lead or facilitate quality improvement programs in their organizations – to participate in academic and hands-on experiences and to interact with recognized experts in quality improvement.

“The goal of the forum is to provide innovative and tailored skills that participants can take back to their organizations to improve performance,” explained Robert Navarro, conference organizer and Deputy Director of the Safety, Environmental and Mission Assurance Office at Ames, located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley.

Using unique lecture formats, presentations and the assessment processes of the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award and the California Quality Awards, Quality Forum 2000 will provide:

– an understanding of quality improvement strategies.

– disclosure of benefits and resources to improve performance within an organization, and

– identification of funding sources, expertise and mentors to support funding improvement efforts.

Among those invited to address the conference are Fred Gregory, astronaut and Director of NASA Safety and Mission Assurance, and Koichi Nishimura, CEO, Solectron Corporation (twice winner of the Baldrige National Quality Award).

NASA is partnered with the American Society for Quality; the California Center for Quality, Education and Development; the Industry Education Council of California; and, Solectron Corporation to organize the conference as part of National Quality Month.

For more information about Quality Forum 2000, go to:

http://qualityforum.arc.nasa.gov/