WSC 2019: Simulation for Risk Management

The Winter Simulation Conference (WSC) is the premier international forum for disseminating recent advances in the field of dynamic systems modeling and simulation, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. In addition to a technical program of unsurpassed scope and quality, WSC is the central meeting place for simulation researchers, practitioners and vendors spanning all disciplines and working in academic, industry, government, military and service sectors. WSC 2019 will be held Dec. 8-11 at Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in National Harbor, Md. The theme for WSC 2019 is “Simulation for Risk Management.”

One great aspect of the simulation field is the wide range of interests it attracts. This year’s WSC methodological tracks include analysis methodology, modeling methodology, simulation optimization, agent-based simulation and hybrid simulations. Applied uses of simulation include aviation modeling and analysis, big data in simulation, complex, intelligent, adaptive and autonomous systems (CIAAS), gaming, healthcare, logistics, supply chains, transportation, modeling and analysis of semiconductor manufacturing (MASM), manufacturing applications, military applications, networks and communications, project management and construction and scientific applications.

Additionally, there are introductory and advanced tutorials, simulation education, case studies, Ph.D. colloquia, poster sessions and vendor tutorials. Whatever your specialty, WSC will have something for you.

WSC 2019 will focus on the use of simulation to address a wide range of individual and societal risks. In addition to the wide range of topics mentioned above, tracks associated with the WSC 2019 theme include uncertainty quantification and robust simulation, environment sustainability and risk, financial risk management, risk analysis, safety applications and cybersecurity.

The conference has a superb lineup of keynote and titan speakers. Robert Atlas, director emeritus of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, will give the opening keynote on “Modeling and Simulation for Reducing the Risks Associated with Extreme Weather.”

The military keynote speaker is Mark W. Lukens, senior operations research analyst for Cyber Analytics within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. He will speak about “Cyber Resiliency Wargame Series – Assessing Cyber Risk to Mission for Combat Commanders.”

In the “Titans of Simulation” plenary talks, two excellent speakers will present just before the conference lunches: Peter Glynn, Thomas Ford Professor at Stanford University, and Margaret Loper, a principal research scientist at Georgia Tech Research Institute. Glynn will give a talk on “Uncertainty and Risk: Simulation, Stochastics and Statistics,” and Loper will give a talk on “Simulation Trust in the Internet of Things.”

John R. Birge, Jerry W. and Carol L. Levin Distinguished Service Professor of Operations Management at The University of Chicago, will hold the Ph.D. colloquium keynote. The topic: “Perspectives on Simulation for Optimization and Optimization for Simulation.”

WSC also incorporates the Modeling and Analysis of Semiconductor Manufacturing (MASM) conference-within-a-conference. WSC 2019 will feature a MASM keynote by Sabine Herlitschka, CEO and CTO, Infineon Technologies Austria AG, who will give a talk on “A European View on Future Semiconductor Industry Needs for MASM.”

The Winter Simulation Conference is designed for professionals and academics from all backgrounds and across a broad range of interests. From the extensive group of exhibitors and vendor presentations to the meetings of various professional societies and user groups, along with various social gatherings, WSC provides all attendees the opportunity to become involved in the ever-expanding activities of the international simulation community. We hope you have the opportunity to join us in National Harbor to actively participate in continuing the great tradition of WSC. For more information regarding WSC 2019, visit http://wintersim.org.