Networking opportunities abound at FMA Annual Meeting

Torrey Pines Golf Course

Executives in the metal fabricating and processing community will enjoy more than 12 hours of dedicated networking time during The FABRICATOR®’s Leadership Summit and Toll Processing Conference tracks of FMA’s Annual Meeting, Feb. 24-26, 2016, at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, Calif.

With popular keynotes, knowledgeable speakers, informative sessions, and second-to-none networking opportunities, this must-attend event provides the perfect backdrop for learning and socializing.

Leading fabricators, steel processors, contract manufacturers, OEMs, machine tool builders, and others serving the industry will gather to exhibit, present, learn, and network. Eight separate and exciting networking activities are planned, including tours of the USS Midway and Workshops for Warriors, golf outings at Torrey Pines Golf Course and Coronado Golf Club, cocktail receptions, and an evening of fun at SeaWorld. The industry’s top movers and shakers use these opportunities to introduce themselves to potential customers, meet with service providers, connect with world-class speakers, see former colleagues, and make new friends, all while experiencing the best that San Diego has to offer.

Participants benchmark and share best practices with peers at facilitated roundtables about automation, business development, lean manufacturing, human resources, sales and marketing, and more. Attendees can also look forward to hearing FMA economic analyst Dr. Chris Kuehl lead an enlightening presentation and entertaining breakout session. In addition, interactive panel discussions will focus on leading-edge equipment and software solutions available in today’s fabrication market, as well as provide an overview of working with advanced technologies in metal processing.

David Graf, president of Custom Manufacturing Services in Princeton, W.Va., and East River Metals in Rocky Gap, Va., said the annual conference is “the best event in the country to meet people in the metal fabrication industry who deal with the same issues on a day-to-day basis. It’s a great opportunity to network as well as learn about new technology and production improvements.”

“This conference … it talks about the equipment used, the different technologies, industry standards—there isn’t really anything at this conference that doesn’t affect our business,” said Kevin Jackson, assistant manager, Millennium Steel of Texas, San Antonio.

Commenting on the collaborative approach of the event, Al Waigand, vice president sales and marketing for Butech Bliss, said, “The Toll Processing Conference is an ideal venue for service center managers, equipment builders, mill executives, and toll processors to make valuable connections at all levels so we can all work together to meet the challenges and benefit from the opportunities that these new grades of advanced high-strength materials present.”

Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to expand your network and strengthen existing business relationships. Conference registration fees are $0 for CompanyPLUS members, $945 for standard members, $1,195 for nonmembers. FMA’s special room rate of $189/night at the Paradise Point Resort expires Jan. 25, 2016. More details on the programs, registration, conference venue, as well as sponsorships and exhibit opportunities can be found at fmanet.org/annualmeeting or by calling 888-394-4362.