FABTECH and AWS Welding Show heads to Las Vegas.

Press Release Summary:



For first time, FABTECH® International and AWS Welding Show will take place in Las Vegas from Oct 6-8 at Las Vegas Convention Center. Cosponsored by AWS, FMA, and SME and supported by industry partner NAM, event is expected to bring in estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors. Thousands of buyers and sellers from around world will gather to exchange products and services, network with peers, preview new products, problem-solve, and educate industry on latest technologies.



Original Press Release:



FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show to Make Las Vegas Debut



Trade Show Is North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating & Welding Event

DEARBORN, Mich., May 14, 2008 - For the first time ever, the FABTECH® International & AWS Welding Show is heading to the western United States to the world's number one trade show destination - Las Vegas. Taking place October 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show is the largest event in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, and welding equipment and technology.

Cosponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int'l (FMA) and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the event is expected to bring in an estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors. Thousands of buyers and sellers from across the globe will gather at the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show in Las Vegas to exchange products and services, network with peers, preview new products, problem-solve, and educate the industry on the latest technologies.

"The Las Vegas venue offers exhibitors the opportunity to reach new and expanded markets located in one of the strongest manufacturing regions of the country," said John Catalano, show manager for SME. "Top West Coast industries include aerospace, automotive, consumer products, computers and electronics, fabricated metals and defense. The West also employs the largest number of workers in the welding repair industry, giving companies an opportunity to reach a significant number of potential new customers and contacts.

"For exhibitors, this event provides a unique opportunity to showcase products and services in front of the industry's most targeted buying audience," said Catalano. "Key decision-makers and influential buyers will be here looking for ways to increase productivity, improve profits and stay ahead of the competition."

In addition to viewing the latest products, attendees will benefit from a comprehensive array of educational offerings. Led by more than 100 experts, sessions emphasize industry issues and trends, lean, management and developments in forming, fabricating, welding, and related technologies.

The 2008 show also will include a METALFORM Pavilion that will display innovations in stamping technology. This pavilion was added as a result of the recently announced new strategic alliance with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA). The first official METALFORM exhibition will take place at the November 2009 show in Chicago.

Other show highlights include:

AWS Skills Competition Weld-Off: Student welders will compete in this qualifying event for a chance to advance to the next round for the WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 2009.

Keynotes: The event will feature two dynamic keynote speakers. On Monday, Oct. 6, Jim Waters, vice president of production systems at Caterpillar, will discuss Embracing the Challenges of Manufacturing in a Global Economy. On Tuesday, Oct. 7, inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST and president of DEKA Research & Development Corporation, will deliver a high-impact presentation on Inspiring Future Generations to Lead the World in Innovation.

FREE Business Improvement Seminars: Specifically oriented to the needs of managers and business owners, 2008 sessions are designed to help companies cope with product liability risks, make sense of the global economy and how it influences their business, and deal with the challenges of workforce development.

FREE Thermal Spray Seminar: Ed Simons and James Weber of The International Thermal Spray Association will provide an introduction to thermal spray and cover four major areas: processes, equipment, applications and industry usage.

Welding Education Conference: Developed specifically for welding/materials joining educators, this conference will focus on the future of welding education to meet workforce needs, recruitment tools, the innovation of virtual welding applications and distance learning.

Executive Forum: Bill Canis of NAM will deliver an important message to company leaders and decision-makers on Competing-and Winning-in the Changing Global Value Chain.

New Product Theater: The New Product Theater will showcase free, 30-minute, exhibitor-led product and technology demonstrations throughout each day of the show. This is a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about some of the industry's latest innovations, what a product does, and how it can benefit their own operation.

For more information about the 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show or to register to attend the show, visit www.sme.org/fabtech, www.fmafabtech.com or www.aws.org/show. For customer service, call SME at (800) 733-4763, or (313) 425-3000 (outside the U.S. and Canada). Or, call FMA at (800) 432-2832, or (815) 399-8755 (outside the U.S. and Canada).

About AWS:
The American Welding Society is the largest organization in the world dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied processes, including joining, brazing, soldering, cutting, and thermal spray. AWS provides a variety of industry services, including welding certifications, educational programs, scholarships and workforce development through its foundation and publications. Visit the Society's Web site at www.aws.org.

About FMA:
The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association Int'l is a non-profit educational association dedicated exclusively to metal forming and fabricating professionals. FMA brings the metal forming and fabricating community together through networking sessions, educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and award programs, and provides the tools and resources needed by companies to improve operations. Visit www.fmanet.org for more information.

About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the world's leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Michigan, SME influences more than half a million manufacturing practitioners and executives annually. The Society has members in more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of technical communities and chapters worldwide.

About PMA:
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion metalforming industry of North America-the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1200 member companies include metal stampers, fabricators, spinners, slide formers and roll formers as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. Members are located in 30 countries, with the majority found in North America in 41 states of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. Visit www.pma.org.

About NAM:
NAM is the nation's oldest and largest broad-based industrial trade association representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Visit the NAM Web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact SME Public Relations by phone (313) 271-1500, e-mail communications@sme.org, or Fax: (313) 425-3403

All Topics