North America's largest metalforming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, FABTECH 2024, is making its first visit to Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center October 15-17, 2024.
Registration is now open to attend FABTECH and see a comprehensive showcase of sheet metal manufacturing processes and the latest developments in fabrication from over 1,300 suppliers in what is considered the 10th best state for manufacturing as presented in Florida's 2023 Manufacturing Report.
"We are excited to take FABTECH to Orlando this year and let the growing Florida manufacturing base see the event up close for the first time," said Tracy Garcia, CEM, FABTECH Group Director at SME. "Orlando is a perfect hub for manufacturers from across the country to attend FABTECH to see live equipment demonstrations, build strategic partnerships, find solutions and stay at the forefront of what's next in manufacturing."
To support the future workforce in this manufacturing discipline, new on the FABTECH agenda this year is an Emerging Leaders program for young professionals, including networking, a workshop and keynote address. Women of FABTECH will return in 2024 featuring an inspiring keynote speaker who will share how to further careers in the industry.
The 2024 event's conference will continue to serve as a knowledge hub for the FABTECH community, featuring 14 tracks covering a variety of topics, including cutting, laser, finishing, forming and fabricating, job shop, management, marketing/sales, lean, automation, smart manufacturing, stamping, workforce development, 3D/additive manufacturing and welding. Each day will feature a morning keynote speaker and an afternoon panel discussion to provide insights, spotlight innovative strategies and offer solutions to ongoing workforce challenges.
As part of the conference, professionals will also have the opportunity to earn credit toward professional certifications offered by SME, the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and the American Welding Society by attending educational sessions during the event.
Admission to the FABTECH 2024 exhibit floor is complimentary for industry professionals who register before October 12, 2024.
Emerging Leaders Program for 2024
The 2024 Emerging Leaders Program is a new initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the manufacturing industry by providing young professionals with vital leadership skills and insights. Tailored for individuals aged 20-30, the program aims to inspire, challenge and prepare participants to become influential leaders in their fields.
Emerging leaders will benefit from a comprehensive, three-day schedule that includes a keynote luncheon, interactive workshop, guided show floor tours and exclusive networking events. This program is designed to help attendees navigate challenging times, manage stress effectively, enhance communication and emotional intelligence, foster a positive workplace culture and sharpen public speaking skills.
Emerging Leaders Program
- Day 1, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024
Welcome Luncheon and Keynote (11 AM-1 PM): Lisa Ryan, founder and Chief Appreciation Strategist at Grategy, will provide insights on public speaking and networking. Ryan, an expert in employee engagement and retention, will share strategies to improve communication skills and build a strong professional network, essential for career advancement in the manufacturing industry.
Guided Show Floor Tours (1:30-3:30 PM): Participants will explore the latest industry trends and innovations across various technology pavilions.
- Day 2: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024
Pathways to Influence: Navigating the Journey of Emerging Leadership Interactive Workshop (noon-4 PM)
- Positioning for Challenging Times: Michele Nichols, President at Launch Team Inc., will discuss strategies for market positioning, including how to identify new opportunities and adapt to market disruptions.
- Thriving Under Pressure: M.J. Clark, Senior Consultant at Integrated Leadership Systems, will offer insights on managing stress effectively and turning it into a leadership advantage, with practical techniques for resilience.
- Enhancing Manufacturing Leadership: James Mayer, CEO at TCO Strategies, will provide techniques for improving communication and emotional intelligence, essential for effective team leadership and decision-making.
- Gratitude Strategies for a Positive Culture: Lisa Ryan, founder and Chief Appreciation Strategist at Grategy, will share methods for creating a culture of appreciation in the workplace to boost employee engagement and retention.
- FABTECH Feud: A game show-style session hosted by Kelly Hamilton, senior manager of customer relations at Rootstock Software, featuring industry experts discussing popular tech trends in manufacturing.
- Day 3: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
Exhibitor booth visits (1-3 PM): Attendees will engage with exhibitors for hands-on demonstrations and networking opportunities, connecting with industry veterans and peers to exchange ideas and build relationships.
For more information about FABTECH or to register for the event, visit fabtechexpo.com.