PMA to sponsor 2008 metalforming conference.
Press Release Summary:
Sponsored by the PMA, Regional METALFORM will take place at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, AL, April 1-3, 2008. More than 300 companies will show their products in 94,000 sq ft of exhibit space, displaying fabricating, stamping, assembly, and tool and die equipment as well as material handling and packaging products and services. In addition to more than 40 presentations, other events will include plant tours and an awards ceremony.
Original Press Release:
Special Events Highlight Regional METALFORM Birmingham
Attendees Offered Several Options to Add Value to Show Experience
CLEVELAND, OH - February 11, 2008 - Thousands of top executives, engineers and manufacturing professionals are expected to attend Regional METALFORM, North America's most respected, results-oriented stamping and fabricating exposition. Sponsored by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), the event will take place at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, AL, April 1-3, 2008.
More than 300 companies will show their products in 94,000 square feet of exhibit space. Companies displaying fabricating, stamping, assembly and tool and die equipment will be among those exhibiting, as well as those showcasing value-added technologies such as material handling and packaging products and services. Complementing the exposition is the Educational Conference, which allows metalforming-company employees to expand their industry knowledge and skills while seeing and learning about the latest technology at the trade show. More than 40 presentations from well-respected industry speakers range from fundamentals for beginners to advanced concepts for experienced metalformers. A complete listing of speakers and presentations can be found on the official show site at www.metalform.com/2008.
In addition to the exhibits and educational presentations, several other events will take place during METALFORM:
o Plant tours of Atlantic Tool & Die, Anniston, AL, will be held Monday, March 31. Two tours will be provided: from Noon-3 p.m., or 1-4 p.m., with 50 spots available for each tour. Tour includes bus transportation and boxed lunch, and departs from and returns to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Cost to participate is $100 per person, and attendees must be pre-registered for the event. Atlantic Tool & Die Company is a key supplier of metal stampings and value-added assemblies to the automotive industry. Anniston is a one-hour drive from downtown Birmingham. Those interested in participating can register for the event online at www.metalform.com/2008.
o PMA will present its annual Awards of Excellence in Metalforming at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 1, honoring innovators in the areas of design, training and education, productivity, product development, safety, quality and process control. Winners will be recognized with a special plaque, commemorative flag and a presentation led by PMA's Chairman of the Board, Ralph Hardt. Each winning company also will receive a cash prize. For more information about the Awards of Excellence, visit www.pma.org/awards.
o Also on April 1, the second-annual Next Generation Leaders Day will be held. An entire day built around the future of metalforming, this event is designed to engage and inform new and emerging leaders from metalforming companies. Activities will include discussion of methods to bridge generational differences within the workplace, interaction with technology on the show floor and development of business relationships with fellow Next Gen'ers and PMA executive leaders. As part of this event, participants can express their opinions about technologies impacting their future by voting for the best new products and services displayed on the show floor. There is no cost to attend the event. For complete registration details and agenda, please visit pma.org/Division/nextgen/leadersday.htm.
o A "Women in Metalforming" Coffee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 8-9 a.m. Participants can expect to share perspectives, network and establish new business relationships that will have long-lasting, mutual benefits. Gretchen Zierick, president of Zierick Manufacturing and PMA's second vice chair, will lead a candid discussion about overcoming obstacles in the metalforming industry. Through a panel discussion and personal experiences, participants will take home useful solutions to challenges they face - from the shop floor to the boardroom.
o PMA Student Day, scheduled for Thursday, April 3, invites students and teachers to learn more about the wide array of career opportunities available in the metalforming industry. Organized by PMA's Training and Education and Quality Committees, the experience begins with an orientation at 8:30 a.m. by industry representatives and PMA staff. During this session, students will be presented with an overview of the industry, receive materials describing career opportunities and watch a video designed specifically for students. Following the orientation, they will tour the show floor to view the more than 300 exhibits on display and meet with leading-edge exhibitors showcasing the latest technology.
o And lastly, all attendees have an opportunity to go home a winner by playing the PMA Educational Foundation's METALFORM bingo game. At on-site registration all attendees will receive a bingo game card, with the squares sponsored by participating METALFORM exhibitors. Players must visit the booths represented on squares in a row in order to earn bingo. Winning cards will be entered into daily drawings for prizes, including tickets for Talladega Superspeedway's April NASCAR race. For more information about the Educational Foundation visit metalforming.com/edufound.
Since its inception in 1981, METALFORM has maintained a must-see status, with the exhibits and conference reflecting the continually changing needs of manufacturers. The exposition is sponsored by PMA, the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion North American metalforming industry-the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes. PMA's nearly 1,200 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. For more information about PMA, visit www.pma.org.
Those interested in attending Regional METALFORM can register online at www.metalform.com/2008. The website also features details for the events held in conjunction with the exposition, as well as the list of exhibitors, the current floor plan, hotel and travel information and more.
METALFORM 2008 EXHIBIT HOURS
Tuesday, April 1 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 2 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 3 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
