FABTECH 2016 to cover additive manufacturing, post-election analysis

FABTECH® 2016, North America's largest collaboration of technology, equipment, and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing industries, offers a unique lineup of special events at this year's show, taking place Nov. 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Business leaders and manufacturing experts will deliver keynote presentations and industry-focused panel sessions throughout the three-day event, which will be available to more than 28,000 exhibitors and attendees. Special event participants, from companies such as Autodesk, GE, and Materialise USA, will give expert insight on the multifaceted nature of today's manufacturing climate. Special event presentation topics will cover a variety of industry trends, innovations, and timely subjects, including additive manufacturing/3-D printing, the importance of women in manufacturing, product development strategies, and the 2016 presidential election. Also included in the special event series are a number of networking and fundraising functions.

Special events for Wednesday, Nov. 16, include:

• Keynote Address: “The Power to Win!”
  Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, a successful entrepreneur and author of The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring, will share how to achieve greatness by setting the fears of the unknown aside with preparation, focus, discipline, determination, and the right attitude.


• State of the Industry: Post-election Analysis
  Panelists will discuss the 2016 presidential election, its potential effect on U.S. manufacturing, how it will affect the business climate for capital investment and tax updates, and what it all means for attendees' businesses.

Special events for Thursday, Nov. 17, include:

• Women of FABTECH Breakfast with Tech Tour
  Guest speaker Jennifer Cipolla, Center for Additive Technology Advancement at GE, will discuss how GE is merging hardware and software to reimagine how products are designed, made, and serviced. After Cipolla's address, there will be an additive manufacturing panel, followed by a tech tour.


• Development Trends in Additive Manufacturing and 3-D Printing
  A panel of experts will explore the technology and materials driving practical solutions and innovations using 3-D printing.


• Advanced Manufacturing: Creating Competitive Advantages for Product Development
  Advanced manufacturing experts will discuss what it takes to remain competitive in today's environment and succeed in the future of making things.


• FABTECH Happy Hour
  Held on the exhibit hall floor, Happy Hour is a great way to network with peers in a relaxed, entertaining environment while perusing the expansive manufacturing technology located across the exhibit space.

Special Events for Friday, Nov. 18, include:

• RUN4MFG 5K
  Show your support for the future of manufacturing and run or walk the 3.1-mile course route through Town Square Las Vegas on the south end of the famed Las Vegas Strip. Proceeds benefit nonprofit educational foundations and scholarship programs managed by FABTECH partners. Sponsorship opportunities are available until Oct. 14.

For more information about FABTECH, visit www.fabtechexpo.com/.