FABTECH 2019 sets attendance record in Chicago

Despite the unexpected winter weather, FABTECH 2019 closed with record attendance, marking a 7 percent increase over the previous Chicago event. A total of 48,278 attendees from 95 countries participated in four full days of product evaluation, education, and collaborative discussions on key industry issues.

FABTECH® 2019, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event, hosted an enthusiastic crowd at Chicago’s McCormick Place Nov. 11-14. Despite the unexpected winter weather, the 2019 event closed with record attendance, marking a 7 percent increase over the previous FABTECH Chicago. A total of 48,278 attendees from 95 countries participated in four full days of product evaluation, education, and collaborative discussions on key industry issues. Three massive exhibit halls full of more than 500 new products and 1,700 exhibitors highlighted the emerging trends and technologies influencing the future of manufacturing. For the first time, FABTECH expanded into the Lakeside Center, with early access on the first day of the show.

A variety of special events, including keynote presentations and Leadership Exchanges, provided a forum to discuss key issues and provide a glimpse into the future of the industry. FABTECH’s opening session, FABx Tech Talks, patterned after the popular TED Talks series, featured a powerful lineup of industry veterans who drew on their unique experiences to share stories of motivation and team building, providing actionable insights for attendees to achieve business excellence.

An extensive lineup of more than 175 education sessions led by industry thought leaders and subject matter experts covered the latest trends and best practices. The schedule featured more than 120 new sessions and 14 technology tracks, including sessions focused on 3D printing/additive manufacturing, automation, smart manufacturing, welding fabrication, cutting, lasers, workforce development, and business management strategies.

The Smart Manufacturing Hub featured daily presentations focused on advanced manufacturing technologies including automation, IoT, and 3D printing. The new Robotics and Industrial Automation Technology Pavilion showcased technologies that are rapidly changing the way the industry conducts business.

A fierce head-to-head tournament took place during the AWS Welding Competition. During the first two days of FABTECH, welders showed their talents as they cleaned and completed a single-pass fillet weld in just five minutes. Competitors were evaluated to the current AWS D1.1 by a panel of certified welding inspectors. The winners are:

• First Place: Kalub Curran, Ogden, Utah; Cody Sarsland, Willmar, Minn.
• Second Place: Brent Bryan, Grayland, Wash.; David Gutierrez, Texas City, Texas
• Third Place: Keith Cusey, Graniteville, S.C.; Jonathon Brown, New Haven, Ind.

Beginning in 2021, FABTECH Chicago—previously held in November—will shift its dates to September. The event, hosted in odd years at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will be held Sept. 13-16, 2021, and will remain in September in future odd years.

Registration for the next U.S. FABTECH event, set to take place in Las Vegas Nov. 18-20, 2020, will open in the spring. For more information, visit fabtechexpo.com or follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.