In a digital age where face-to-face communication is sharply declining, it’s no wonder 99 percent of marketers said they found unique value from trade shows they did not get from other marketing mediums.
Trade shows allow exhibitors to generate leads from a whole new audience, brush up on their networking skills and learn about new technology first hand from industry experts. That’s why manufacturers – no matter their discipline or experience level – should make it a priority to include trade shows in their annual business plans.
To jump start your research, we compiled a list of 10 important trade shows manufacturers should keep an eye out for in 2017.
1. MD&M West and MD&M East
MD&M West
When: Feb. 7 to 9, 2017
Where: Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California
What it is: MD&M West is one of the world’s largest annual medtech event. The trade show focuses on business development, patient outcomes, value engineering, design thinking, speed to market, 3D printing and the IoT.
What to expect: For three days, attendees will be able to watch tech demos yet to hit the market, attend keynotes led by industry leaders and network with over 20,000 engineers and executives from leading companies such as Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, 3M and Medtronic .
MD&M East
When: June 13 to 15, 2017
Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City
What it is: MD&M East is the largest and most comprehensive medical manufacturing event on the East Coast. Market value and consumer health, new technologies, big data and mobile product risk tracks are available for attendees.
What to expect: Visitors will be able to meet with more than 500 leading medtech suppliers and manufacturers and 5,000 professionals. Through panel discussions, training sessions, interactive workshops, and more, they’ll learn more about design challenges, get their hands on the latest new medical technology, and make informed buying decisions that will differentiate their business from the competition.
2. ATX West
When: Feb. 7 to 9, 2017
Where: Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California
What it is: ATX West is North America’s largest automation technology event, running parallel to the MD&M West show. ATX West connects over 20,000 advanced design and manufacturing engineers, suppliers, and executives who lead these changes across industries such as automotive, medtech, and collaborative robotics.
What to expect: This three-day conference covers topics such as equipment, machinery, software and robotics. Attendees will experience a center stage featuring state-of-the-art presentations, a tech theater showcasing new automation technology, curated expo walks through the showroom, networking workshops and more.
3. Sensor Expo
When: June 28-29, 2017
Where: McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California
What it is: Sensor Expo is North America’s premier event focused exclusively on sensors and sensor-integrated systems. Its purpose is to bring together the entire design lifecycle from sensing all the way to securing, across a wide range of verticals.
What to expect: At the expo, leading engineers and developers gather to share ideas, present current challenges and find the future’s solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about cutting-edge technology such as energy harvesting and low power, flexibles and printed sensors, IoT, wireless and wearable tech.
4. COMPAMED
When: Nov. 13 to 16, 2017
Where: Dusseldorf Convention Center in Düsseldorf, Germany
What it is: COMPAMED is the leading international trade fair for the medical supplier industry and product development. The show brings together more than 5,000 exhibitors, suppliers and their partners looking to collaborate on product development, production and marketing.
What to expect: COMPAMED features 750 exhibitors from 40 countries. Attendees can expect to learn about innovations and trends in packaging and service, electronic manufacturing services, complex OEM partnerships, medical equipment and more.
COMPAMED takes place at the same time as MEDICA, the world’s leading trade fair, to provide a powerful stimulus for the international medical technology industry.
5. Process Expo
When: Sept. 19–22, 2017
Where: McCormick Place in Chicago
What it is: Process Expo is the nation’s largest trade show dedicated to bringing the latest technology and integrated solutions to all segments of the food and beverage industry. With nearly 600 food processing and packaging exhibitors, attendees can witness new technology in action, visit with current suppliers and find new partners to work with.
What to expect: The 15,000 attendees will be exposed to product demonstrations, 25 hours of training sessions about the latest trends and regulations, one-on-one time with suppliers and other education opportunities.
6. IFPE
When: March 7-11, 2017
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
What it is: IFPE returns every three years to showcase the latest innovations and expertise in the fluid power, power transmission and motion control industries. The event offers access to the latest products and innovations from over 400 exhibitors.
What to expect: Beyond traditional exhibits, the trade show provides college-level educational courses that offer hands-on technical knowledge on the effective use of hydraulics in mobile equipment. These half-day courses benefit practicing engineers and others involved in the design and manufacturing processes.
7. Texas Design-2-Part
When: Feb. 22 and 23, 2017
Where: Gaylord Texan Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas
What it is: Texas Design-2-Part is America’s largest and longest-running design and contract manufacturing trade show. The Texas D2P show is just one of 11 regional tradeshows that offers face-to-face meetings to discuss design, prototypes, production runs, assemblies, electronics, value added services and more.
What to expect: D2P provides OEMs with an opportunity to meet local and national shops in order to find suppliers, learn new technologies and reduce costs, among other things. In fact, the trade show boasts an 81 percent return rate on exhibiting.
8. DMEDS
When: March 3 and 4, 2017
Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego, California
What it is: DMEDS is the West Coast’s premier event for professionals in product design, assembly and manufacturing and quality testing. Its mission is to bring a face-to-face experience to what has become an increasingly high-tech field.
What to expect: Over 4,000 attendees will have access to 500 booths showcasing electronic components, instrumentation equipment, fabrication products and services, engineering software and services, manufacturing products and services, contract manufacturing services, and more.
9. Industry Week’s M&T
When: May 8-10, 2017
Where: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
What it is: M&T is a three-day event focusing on the key elements of the future of manufacturing: technology integration, leadership, continuous improvement, operational excellence, design/engineering, talent development and supply chain.
What to expect: Powerful keynotes from past companies like GE, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, 3D Systems, and Toyota, breakout sessions that have over 50 expert speakers from companies like Panasonic, IBM, Johnson Controls, and Bosch, and plant tours of companies like Siemens, Eaton, and Parker Hannifin.
10. ProMat
When: April 3-6, 2017
Where: Chicago’s McCormick Place
What it is: ProMat is the largest expo for manufacturing and supply chain professionals in North America. It brings together industry’s leading innovators to showcase their latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain equipment and systems.
What to expect: Conference goers can speak with 850 exhibitors from industry, commerce and government will display their supply chain solutions, attend over 100 educational sessions hosted by The College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE) and the Career and Technical Education Program (CTE), and network with peers at MHI Industry Night featuring comedian Dana Carvey. As a bonus, anyone with a ProMat badge can get into Automate Show, North America’s broadest automation event, right across the hall.
Where will you be in 2017?
What trade shows will you be attending in 2017? We’re attending a few ourselves, and we’d like to hear which ones you’ll be at. Let us know on Twitter @AppleRubber.