FABTECH 2019, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, is set to activate the industry with a roster of renowned influencers November 11-14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. With a combination of prominent TV stars, podcasters, YouTubers and Instagram influencers, attendees will have access to notable industry voices at special events and throughout FABTECH’s show floor.
On Monday, November 11, FABTECH opens with a unique celebration in honor of Veterans Day. FABx Tech Talks, designed to emulate the popular TED-style concept, will feature a powerful lineup of visionary veterans. Kicking off the celebration is nine-year NFL veteran and three-time Super Bowl Champion, Chad Hennings, who served in 45 successful combat missions with the Air Force. The keynote presentation on Tuesday, November 12 will feature Frank Abagnale, known as one of the world’s most famous con men, who will provide entertaining insights into his life as the notorious imposter of the 1960s and instruct attendees on how to protect themselves and their businesses from fraud. Additionally, Mythbusters’ Grant Imahara will provide a glimpse at his work on various movie sets and productions while touching on the importance of advancing the engineering/manufacturing industry during his keynote session on Wednesday, November 13.
With the industry’s most authoritative podcasters in attendance, FABTECH will leverage their influential voices to showcase their thought leadership and add to the attendee event experience. “FABTECH provides metal manufacturing professionals with access to the information, technology and equipment they need to transform their businesses,” said Mark Hoper, FMA Senior Vice President of Media & Expositions, FABTECH. “We could not be more thrilled to celebrate these individuals who use their voices to create engaged communities and spark passion across our industry. Exposure to these influencers will pass on key learnings and enthusiasm through shared interests and experiences, exemplifying our diverse, but unified industry.” Hoper will be interviewed by Jimmy McKnight during FABTECH, which will air on McKnight’s Arc Junkies Podcast shortly after the show. A trio of podcasters, including Jody Collier, Jonathan Lewis and Roy Crumrine, will host their Welding Tips & Tricks Podcast Q&A from the Lakeside Ballroom Stage on November 11 at 2:30 PM, giving attendees a one of a kind opportunity to engage with the welding experts and have questions answered on a recorded session.
Social media isn’t just a pastime for these influencers – it has transformed their businesses and taken them to an elevated level of success within the welding and metal manufacturing industry.
Alicia Butty, known on Instagram as Canadian Welder Girl, learned much of what she knows about welding in her family’s custom manufacturing business as a teenager. Her social media side hustle has taken off and brings her clients from all over the world. Butty receives commissions for custom metal signage and creative art pieces, and she’s even created her own brand, selling Canadian Welder Girl swag.
Paul Brinegar, owner of Zero Tolerance Fabrication, started out with a store in Southern California, selling welding cart kits and accessories. After his business’ Instagram grew to a massive following, it propelled his shop to a national business with access to welding customers across the country.
Another business owner, Richard Day of 42Fab in Oklahoma, specializes in signs and custom furniture. Day’s YouTube channel, which he grew to be one of the largest channels focused on CNC plasma cutting and metal fabrication, provides step-by-step instructions and works in tandem with 42Fab’s innovative “Weld It Yourself” kits designed for beginning welders.
Chris Zeppieri also demonstrates his fabrication skills to his 100K+ Instagram and YouTube followers, not only to drive custom fabrication business to Make Everything Workshop, but also to spread awareness of his metalworking classes, offered to aspiring welders of all experience levels.
FABTECH attendees will have the opportunity to learn how social media can benefit their own businesses as well during the Sustainable Social Media Strategies education session on November 12. See more details and sign up for this year’s education sessions here.
With expert knowledge and large, dedicated networks of followers, these influencers have been trusted and endorsed by some of the biggest names in the industry.
Barbie Parsons, professionally known as Barbie The Welder, has taught thousands of people how to weld art through two books and her widely-followed social media channels, putting her on the map to design and create sculptures for clients like Weiler Abrasives, Miller Welders, Harley Davidson, Carolina Shoe Company, and much more. At FABTECH, you can catch Barbie showcasing her two newest sculptures at Encompass Machines, booth #B19104.
Rae Ripple, a mother of two, firefighter and an influential welding artist based in Texas, has been sponsored by several prominent brands exhibiting at FABTECH. You can see her on the show floor partnering with Blue Demon Welding Products, Hypertherm, Flame Technologies and Fronius USA.
Exclusively focused on advancing the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries around the world, FABTECH offers an unmatched trade show experience with a diverse and robust lineup of education sessions and special events. Registration is now open – visit fabtechexpo.com to register and obtain more show details.
ABOUT FABTECH
FABTECH is North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event. The event provides a convenient venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits. FABTECH is made possible by its five co-sponsors, all of whom represent the varied and diverse makeup of the manufacturing industry. They include the American Welding Society, the Chemical Coaters Association International, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International, the Precision Metalforming Association and SME. Read more about FABTECH’s event partners here.
Source: SME