- New technologies, keynote speeches, panels, education sessions from industry experts helped deliver best FABTECH show to date
CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2015 – FABTECH 2015, North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries, welcomed more than 1,700 exhibiting companies and a total of 43,836 attendees from over 90 countries last week to Chicago’s McCormick Place.
In the event’s largest and most successful installment yet, attendees were able to learn from and interact with manufacturing’s best by visiting over 730,000 square feet of exhibits, special events and keynote presentations, as well as by participating in educational sessions, an industry night networking event and welding competitions.
“This year’s show was incredible. It’s difficult to fully express our gratitude to all those who made FABTECH a success – the city of Chicago, our loyal exhibitors and the thousands of attendees that not only made the week special, but who continue to drive and move our industries forward,” said Mark Hoper, show co-manager, FABTECH. “Between the variety of events and education programs, to our diverse and expansive show floor, attendees walked away with more knowledge, expertise and industry connections than ever before.”
During the four-day event, attendees found live equipment demonstrations ─ including hundreds of new products and technologies ─ and had one-on-one exchanges with exhibitors and industry leaders. John Quigley from LVD Strippit said, “We have been one of the longest participants in FABTECH and it’s always been a very important venue to show our latest technology to the market place. In North America, it is the most important tradeshow of the year.”
Special event presentation topics at FABTECH 2015 covered additive manufacturing/3D printing, security risks, women in manufacturing, the significance of teamwork within successful organizations and much more.
Speakers and panel participants included representatives from Dell, GE Ventures and other leading companies, as well as NASCAR legend and champion Rusty Wallace. Presidential candidate and former Senator of Pennsylvania Rick Santorum also made an appearance to discuss the importance of American manufacturing.
Additionally, professional welders competed throughout the week at FABTECH for the title of “Best Welder in America” and a $2,500 first place, $1,000 second place and $500 third place prize. Contestants demonstrated their skill by making a single-pass SMAW weld with E7018 on low-carbon steel and were graded on speed and quality. Winners included:
- Aaron Oetken, self-employed welder/fabricator from Mediapolis, Iowa
- Tom Ruge, student, Gateway Technical College from Racine, Wisconsin
- Andrew Miller, welding engineer, Caterpillar Inc. from Dunlap, Illinois
For more information about FABTECH 2015 or FABTECH 2016, taking place Nov. 16-18, 2016, in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center, please visit www.fabtechexpo.com. For future updates, follow FABTECH on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About FABTECH
FABTECH is North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries. The event provides a powerfully aligned hands-on, face-to-face business growth experience, and is made possible by its five co-sponsors, all of whom representing the varied and diverse makeup of the manufacturing industry. They include SME, the American Welding Society (AWS), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), and the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI). Read more about FABTECH’s co-sponsors here.
