Economic realities hit home in the Ozarks: but K.C.'s blues aren't terminal, joint meeting told. (Lake Ozark and Kansas City, Missouri)(joint meeting of Kansas City and St. Louis Societies for Coatings Technology)

Lake Ozark, Mo., Aug. 6 -- Seminars and conferences that focus on a particular slice of the industry are supposed to reflect the condition of that slice. When that segment is thriving, the mood is upbeat and optimistic. But when that segment is suffering, concern and serious thinking punctuate the activities.

The industry slice emphasized at the 39th Annual Joint Meeting of the Kansas City and St. Louis Societies for Coatings Technology was a paradox. Attendees from Kansas City brought with them sobering reports on the decline of the industry in that city, while those from St. Louis were reassured by the relative stability there.

What it added up to was a 1 1/2-day meeting highlighted by technical …