Missing this event would be a mistake

It’s hard to believe that IMTS 2012 is less than two months away. The latest counts indicate that this show will have more exhibitors, covering more floor space than IMTS 2010. In fact, more than 1,100 exhibiting companies will occupy 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space at the McCormick Place complex in Chicago during the week of September 10, 2012.

New to this year’s show is Industrial Automation North America (IANA). Through a strategic alliance with AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the organizer of IMTS, IANA, a Deutsche Messe AG (DMAG) event will showcase products and solutions for production automation, complimenting the IMTS focus on machine tools, metalworking, and precision manufacturing. So, whether you are a seasoned IMTS attendee or first-time attendee, you are sure to find technologies and solutions to satisfy your manufacturing requirements. After all, 82% of past show attendees say they were successful in finding specific products or solving manufacturing problems, while 95% of past show attendees say they were satisfied with the exhibit visits.

As part of the weeklong exhibition, IMTS 2012 also offers attendees an opportunity to attend a host of conferences regarding best practices for resolving day-to-day problems on the manufacturing floor. Throughout the week, 72 presentations encompassing five topic tracts (Materials, Quality/Metrology, Manufacturing Technology, Alternative Manufacturing Processes, and Plant Operations) will take place. Each of the presentations runs for 45 minutes, followed by a 10 minute Q&A. The sessions explore answers/solutions to problems involving productivity improvements, which include achieving higher levels of quality, developing a stable, competent workforce, and creating new levels of market demand. Best of all, the subjects discussed offer practical solutions that you can take back to your workplace for immediate implementation.

So, if you are looking at grabbing a competitive advantage and making a positive impact in your operation, in a relatively short time, you owe it to yourself, and to your organization, to carefully look over the schedule of presentations and decide what best fits your needs and priorities. A complete listing of presentations by date and time is available at imts.com/education/conference_search.cfm. Upon reviewing the many presentations, you will find a couple of options for registration.

Once you have an opportunity to peruse the exhibitor list and conference program, I think you will agree that IMTS 2012 is the one show you cannot afford to pass up. In fact, it may be wise to plan on spending some additional time, perhaps a day, maybe even two, just to walk the show floor and take in the exhibits, as well as attend some, or all, of the conference program presentations.

While you’re there, please remember to stop by our booth in the West Hall (W-100) to introduce yourself and say hello. Trust me, when I say our focus is on making your booth visit a memorable one. Also, I would like to hear how the exhibit and conference presentations helped your organization.

tgrasson@gie.net