Controlled chaos—FABTECH setup

FMA booth undergoing setup at FABTECH 2017. The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. is a co-sponsor of FABTECH.

Thank goodness for the shift from daylight savings to standard time. Well, I’m usually not a fan, but I must admit that it was good to have that “extra” hour on the day that I had to get up very early to fly to Chicago for FABTECH 2017. The show starts tomorrow, Nov. 6, and today was the last day of setup for exhibitors ready to showcase their products to the 50,000 preregistered attendees.

I love Chicago. It’s easily my favorite U.S. city. The drive from O’Hare to McCormick isn’t the fastest, or the most scenic, until the skyline comes into view. It was overcast today, but there was no mistaking the Sears—oops! I mean the Willis Tower and the John Hancock building.

The scene at McCormick place was far different today than it will be tomorrow. You really had to watch your step as you tried to navigate the aisles. I know, because I was looking around all Linda Blair-like when I stumbled across a “bump” designed to protect you from power cords. I kept my balance and made a real effort to watch my step as well as all the activity.

It takes a lot to pull off the largest industry show in North America. Companies spend months planning exhibits and the logistics required to ship their machines and equipment and set them up. This effort may appear seamless to attendees who flock into the show when the doors open, but trust me, the highly organized, impressive displays were created from controlled chaos.

The sounds and sights of machines in operation are the stuff of fabricators’ dreams. It’s truly awe-inspiring, even to the nonfabricators among us who marvel at the technology used to create the products we use every day.

For this editor, one of the best parts of the show is seeing the same faces year after year. As I waited to board the plane for Chicago, I heard someone call my name. Turning around, I came face-to-face with TRUMPF’s Mike Smith, who has been in the industry for 30 years and with TRUMPF for 24. He is as enthusiastic about the company and its products as he was when I first met him years ago. And he was excited about the show. I saw other familiar faces today and will see many more before the show is over.

I also will see many new and enhanced products. Check the blog for regular recaps of highlights.

As I post this, I’m sitting in my hotel room with a view of the Chicago River. Hidehey!

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