SME announces WESTEC 2008.
Press Release Summary:
The SME WESTEC 2008 Exposition and Conference will take place March 31-April 3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Nearly 600 exhibitors, showcasing more than 8 million pounds of state-of-the-art equipment, are expected to participate, representing more than 30 different technologies. The event launches a Back-to-Basics theme highlighting a workforce development program offering pathways to manufacturing careers, including free educational sessions.
Original Press Release:
North America's Largest Manufacturing Event, WESTEC, Focuses on Promoting Careers
Los Angeles, CA - The Society of Manufacturing Engineers' WESTEC 2008 Exposition and Conference will take place March 31-April 3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The largest annual machine tools and advanced manufacturing event in North America, WESTEC connects manufacturing professionals with the latest technology and applications.
With more than 16,000 manufacturers in LA County, WESTEC attracts leaders from a variety of industries important to Southern California, including aerospace and defense, energy, automotive, electronics, medical and consumer products.
Nearly 600 exhibitors, showcasing more than 8 million pounds of state of the art equipment, are expected to participate, representing more than 30 different technologies, such as advances in high speed machining, cutting and tooling, laser systems, welding robotics and automation, as well as manufacturing technology application and solutions.
"Because Los Angeles employs more people in manufacturing than any other county in the entire United States," says Zita Collins, WESTEC's Senior Show Manager, "manufacturing professionals count on WESTEC not just for technology, but for professional advancement, as well."
WESTEC offers free educational programs, including sessions on comparative technologies, lean principles and fundamentals in machining process. This year, WESTEC launches an all-new Back-to-Basics theme, highlighting a workforce development program, offering pathways to manufacturing careers, including free educational sessions. For example, WESTEC attendees can watch the entire manufacturing process of a special WESTEC hammer from design to the finished product utilizing CNC mills, lathes and other power equipment.
Back-to-Basics aims to attract and engage a diversified audience composed of women, new immigrants, displaced workers, non-college bound youth, and the existing workforce searching for re-training opportunities.
Alongside the learning demonstrations will be participation of various schools, community colleges, training centers and institutions in California offering courses and careers in manufacturing and engineering from which attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of career pathways to manufacturing. The program will also include a career center for manufacturing companies and employers to conduct on-site interviews and job placements.
For more information about the event, visit www.sme.org/westec or call 800- 733-3976.
About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (www.sme.org) 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.
