Make 2005 the year you take advantage of some good ol’ face-to-face contact. The trade show floor is an ideal route for discovering all that’s new. Here are some of the events that are sure to lead you down the right path:

Do you think of your current equipment as ol’ reliable? Well, it may just be plain old. Here are some trade shows that will help you explore the newest technologies in the industrial marketplace and make the New Year a prosperous one:

Pacific Design & Manufacturing Show
What: Three-day show featuring the latest products in electronics, automation technology, motion control sensors, and industrial equipment, among others.
When: January 10-12, 2005
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
Web Site: www.devicelink.com/expo/pac05

AmCon (American Contract Manufacturers) Shows
What: Regional shows that bring together job shops and contract manufacturers with OEM purchasing and engineering professionals who are looking for new suppliers. Suppliers of custom metal, plastic, rubber and electronic parts can connect with qualified OEM buyers.
When: Shows held in February, March, April, May, June, September, October and November 2005
Where: Locations all over the country including Orlando, FL; Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Cleveland, OH; Novi, MI; Austin, TX; Baltimore, MD; and Minneapolis, MN
Web Site: www.amconshows.com/index.html

HOUSTEX 2005 Exposition & Conference
What: Houston’s longest-running machine tool and manufacturing exposition, providing a venue for buyers and sellers of manufacturing equipment to meet face-to-face. Texas manufacturers can find everything they need, from major machining centers to cutting tools and chucks, to upgrade their manufacturing operations. Exhibitors can meet thousands of manufacturers from throughout Texas and surrounding states.
When: March 1-3, 2005
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas
Web Site: www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-event.pl?–000208-000007-019091–SME-

15th National Manufacturing Week
What: Major event featuring more than 1,000 exhibitors and showcasing technology in action covering the complete manufacturing process. More than 300 conference sessions and 400 expert speakers share proven real-world solutions.
When: March 7-10, 2005
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
Web Site: www.manufacturingweek.com

IFPE 2005 – the International Exposition for Power Transmission
What: The leading international exposition and technical conference for hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and mechanical power transmission components, systems and controls. Co-located with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2005, the two events represent one source for over 100,000 industry professionals. With over 100,000 net square feet of exhibits and product demonstrations throughout the show floor, IFPE 2005 is expected to be the largest event in North America for the motion control industry.
When: March 15-19, 2005
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Web Site: www.ifpe.com

WESTEC 2005 Exposition & Conference
What:North America’s largest annual manufacturing and metalworking event featuring the newest technologies and applications for making operations leaner and more productive. Exhibitors meet with thousands of manufacturers looking to upgrade their equipment and build long-term business relationships.
When: April 4-7, 2005
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California
Web Site: www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-event.pl?–000215-000007-019184–SME-

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) Wescon
What: the leading advanced technology event for engineering professionals throughout Southern California. Attended by manufacturers of high technology electronic components.
When: Santa Clara Convention Center: April 12-14, 2005; Long Beach Convention Center: November 8-10, 2005
Where: Santa Clara, CA; Long Beach, CA
Web Site: www.wescon.com

The Converting Machinery/Materials Conference & Exposition
What: Event featuring the latest developments in the flexible packaging industry through the solutions-oriented conference program, exposition show floor, and process-focused pavilions and theaters.
When: April 18-21, 2005
Where: McCormick Place South, Chicago, Illinois
Web Site: www.cmmshow.com

2005 Offshore Technology Conference
What:Conference showcasing the latest in offshore technologies from over 2,000 exhibitors.
When: May 2-5, 2005
Where: Reliant Center at Reliant Park, Houston, Texas
Web Site: www.otcnet.org

National Industrial Fastener Show
What: Event with nearly 500 exhibitors offering products such as nuts, screws, washers, hinges, bolts, and innovative packaging products. Exhibitors and attendees from over 20 countries expected.
When: East: May 4-5, 2005; West: November 16-18, 2005
Where: East: Baltimore, Maryland; West: Las Vegas, Nevada
Web Site: www.fastenershows.com

ISM’s (Institute for Supply Management(TM)) 90th Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit
What: Annual conference presenting a microcosm of the supply management profession and ISM. Over 100 suppliers will be on hand to answer questions and offer solutions for supply management challenges.
When: May 8-11, 2005
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Web Site: www.ism.ws/ConfPlanner/Conf.cfm?ConfID=26

AISTech 2005 — The Iron & Steel Technology Conference and Exposition
What: A major international conference featuring technologies from all over the world. Aims to help steel producers compete in today’s global market.
When: May 9-12, 2005
Where: Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Web Site: www.iss.org/convexpo/2005_aistech.htm

EASTEC 2005 Exposition & Conference
What: Since 1979, EASTEC has been the East Coast’s only event bringing together buyers and sellers of machine tools and metalworking technologies.
When: May 24-26, 2005
Where: Eastern States Exposition Center, West Springfield, Massachusetts
Web Site: www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-event.pl?–001542-000007-019283–SME-

Atlantic Design & Manufacturing Show 2005
What: Major event attended by thousands of engineering and manufacturing professionals involved in the electronics, information technology, defense, aerospace, telecommunications, instrumentation, industrial equipment, and transportation industries. Show includes top names in CAD/CAM/PDM, contract manufacturing, OEM electronic suppliers, assembly and manufacturing, and more. Co-located with four other shows, including Automation Technology Expo and EastPack 2005.
When: June 13-15, 2005
Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Web Site: www.devicelink.com/expo/atl04/welcome.html

EastPack 2005
What: The largest packaging and manufacturing event on the East Coast, with more than 600 exhibitors. Showcases the latest technological innovations in custom automation and assembly, robotics, control software, motors, drives, motion control and more.
When: June 13-15, 2005
Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, New York
Web Site: www.devicelink.com/expo/epack04

COATING 2005
What: Event featuring companies involved in the following finishing disciplines: powder coating, liquid coating, electrocoating, porcelain enamel, UV/EB curing, vacuum coating, electroplating/mechanical finishing, and air and waste management. Attendees include representatives from manufacturing companies and job shop finishers who apply coatings and plating on any type of substrate.
When: September 20-22, 2005
Where: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
Web Site: www.thecoatingshow.com

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005
What: Event featuring the latest developments in packaging technology and showcasing exhibitors’ state-of-the-art advances in packaging machinery, converting machinery, materials, packages and containers, and components. Will occupy more than 500,000 net square feet of contiguous exhibit space and include the co-location of the Food Processing Machinery EXPO.
When: September 26-28, 2005
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Web Site: pei2004.packexpo.com/pelv2005_factsheet/index.html

COMPOSITES 2005
What: The largest convention and exposition for the composites industry in North America.
When: September 28-30, 2005
Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Web Site: www.acmashow.org/splash.htm

FABTECH International & The AWS (American Welding Society) Welding Show
What: FABTECH International and the AWS Welding Show have combined forces to create a bigger show for the metal fabricating and welding industry. This new joint event brings together buyers and sellers of forming and fabricating, tube and pipe, and welding and cutting technologies.
When: November 13-16, 2005
Where: McCormick Place South, Chicago, Illinois
Web Site: www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-event.pl?–001570-000007-019478–SME-