Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington, KY. On the southern side of Cincinnati, 2,500 lean practitioners from around the world will gather for the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) flagship, annual conference. The conference consists of eight keynote speakers, 60 presentations, 30 workshops and 40 plant tours. There are also 70 vendors chosen by AME as learning center exhibitors, sharing lean-based products and services. A dozen special interest sessions are designed to provide a deeper understanding of lean issues in highly specific subjects, such as lean accounting and nanotechnology. Group rates are available.