NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2003 -- The International Gas Turbine Institute of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has announced that the Gas Turbine Users Symposium (GTUS) plans to hold its 2004 meeting alongside POWER-GEN International in Orlando, Florida, November 30 - December 2, 2004.

John Platt, Senior Advisor with BP America, Inc. and GTUS Chair, 2004-2006, believes that locating GTUS with POWER-GEN International is a major opportunity for both events. "Exposure to the expertise of IGTI's gas turbine user members through the GTUS program of training, technology and networking, combined with POWER-GEN's exposition and other activities, will produce a tremendous value for attendees," according to Platt.

The GTUS was developed, as a component within IGTI's annual ASME Turbo Expo, in response to the market needs of gas turbine users. The primary thrust of GTUS is to create a forum in the gas turbine community to facilitate the dissemination of "best-in-practice" gas turbine operating techniques. With the 2004 meeting in Orlando, the GTUS becomes a distinct, annual event to consistently target the educational and networking needs of gas turbine users in the United States.

Within the GTUS, gas turbine owners, operators, and maintenance personnel meet to address and share remedies on the daily challenges arising from purchasing, operating and maintaining gas turbines and related equipment. The GTUS is for users/operators, knowledge providers, OEMs, project developers, third-party providers and others in the gas turbine community who will benefit from the exchange of ideas and solutions on gas turbine operating challenges.

The 2004 program will feature tracks and topics relating to every key area of gas turbine ownership and operation. For details, email igtiprogram@asme.org and follow program development at http://www.asme.org/igti.

IGTI is a technical institute of the 120,000-member American Society of Mechanical Engineers, an organization focused on technical, educational and research issues. ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. ASME sets internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public welfare and safety.