With more than three months to go before North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event opens its doors, FABTECH 2011 is already expected to be the largest ever. Returning to Chicago’s McCormick Place Nov. 14-17, 2011, the event will offer four full days of activities and provide its projected 32,000 attendees with unlimited opportunities to network, learn, and see the latest metal fabrication products and technologies.
According to John Catalano, FABTECH show manager, all signs point to this being a great event. “Registration is up and we are on track to fill nearly a half million net square feet of exhibit space with more than 1,200 exhibitors,” he says. “The interest in this year’s event is a positive sign that our industry is alive and thriving.”
Visitors will see thousands of pieces of equipment in action on the show floor and more than 500 new product debuts. In addition to the exhibits, FABTECH 2011 will also present more than 100 educational sessions on the latest trends in cutting, finishing, forming and fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, and welding, as well as courses for managers. Other featured events include a keynote on “Growing Your Business Through Innovation,” a “state of the industry” panel discussion, and highly anticipated sessions on reshoring and how to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and create jobs. A new Buyer Appreciation Day has also been added this year and will allow attendees to take advantage of exhibitor show specials and win prizes.
FABTECH is cosponsored by five industry leading associations: the American Welding Society (AWS); the Fabricator’s & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA); the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME); the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA); and the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI). The complete show lineup can be viewed at [www.fabtechexpo.com/schedule-at-a-glance.cfm].
