WASHINGTON — The Valve Manufacturers Association of America announced that the next Valve Basics Seminar & Exhibits is March 6-7 at the Hilton NASA Clear Lake in Houston. At the heart of this event is the Valves & Actuators 101 course, which consists of lessons designed to guide attendees through the world of valves and the systems they help control, starting with the simplest types of valves and moving into the more complex automated products, including actuators and controls.

The course also features a “Valve Petting Zoo,” a hands-on experience that enables participants to “touch and feel” many of the products discussed during the course. Attendees are led in small groups to tables where valves, actuators, and controls are displayed, and industry experts are on hand to answer specific questions about the products and further explain how they work.

The Valve Manufacturers Association of America launched this education program in 2009 to help educate industry newcomers as more experienced personnel head for retirement. The association said the Valves & Actuators 101 course also has been well-received by those who need a refresher course or wish to expand their knowledge about the products used to control flow in industries including commercial HVAC.