All aboard! Next stop, IMTS

Manufacturing Engineering, Jul 2000 by Hogan, Brian J

Have you made your Chicago hotel reservations? The International Manufacturing Technology Show opens on September 6, and you need to act soon to be sure of getting the accommodations you want.

Have no doubt about it, the IMTS is no ordinary trade show, and IMTS 2000 may be the biggest manufacturing show ever to hit Chicago. During the show's seven days, more than 120,000 visitors will march past exhibits of the latest and greatest in manufacturing equipment and technology. Given the rate at which technology is changing, you can expect to see something new in each of the show's pavilions.

Some free advice: Don't walk into any of the halls at McCormick Place without a plan. The show is so big that, if you don't approach it with a clear objective, you will most likely struggle to get anything done. Decide what you want to accomplish at the show, and organize your visit to achieve that goal.

Don't end your visit to IMTS when you've carried out your plan. Take the time to wander the aisles, and give serendipity a chance.Tucked away in some small booth, or in a corner of larger booth, you may find a technical gem.

Don't forget the chance to attend a technical seminar as well as visit the exhibition halls. Run by SME, the IMTS 2000 Manufacturing Conference has some great sessions lined up.

Finally you might ask, given the crowds, noise, and physical discomfort you can expect to encounter, why go to IMTS? Well, first of all, every two years this show brings the best equipment the world has to offer to North American manufacturing engineers and managers. From the viewpoint of a manufacturing professional, attendance is a must.And, besides (don't let your boss know), it's FUN! New machines, new tools, new ideas; there will be neat stuff in every aisle. You can pick up souvenirs your smaller kids will think are keen, free of charge, and spend a day or two getting paid for looking at some of the finest manufacturing technology in the world. (But when you get back to work, don't tell the boss you had a good time. Horrible crowds, horrible traffic, agony, misery, deserve a raise for enduring it-that's the line I use. Don't rat on me to my boss, okay?)

Brian J. Hogan

Editor