IMTS COMPASS

WELCOME TO THE IMTS COMPASS

There are 4 days left until IMTS! This is the final IMTS Compass email newsletter. See below for the latest update on IMTS 2008. Click here for archived issues of the "IMTS Compass". Want to be added to the weekly email list...see the imts e-newsletter box below the left navigation. Check the correct box, enter your email address and hit SUBMIT. We are here to help in any way we can. - IMTS Staff

September 4, 2008 Issue

» Register TODAY
» Don't Miss Fresh Ideas, New Perspectives and Valuable Tips
» Checklist To Help You Prepare For A Successful Show
» Hire and Train Qualified Staff
» IMTS Exhibitors List at your Fingertips
» Innovation Center: Medical Day & Job Shop Day
» Precision Engineers: Register Today For ASPE's Tutorials
» Information For When You Get To IMTS

REGISTER TO ATTEND IMTS 2008

DON'T MISS FRESH IDEAS, NEW PERSPECTIVES AND VALUABLE TIPS

Energize your business and increase efficiency with The Manufacturing Business and Technology Forum - Where Technology and Business Connect. Industry experts give you five days of cutting-edge educational sessions. Learn more!

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL SHOW

The days of simply worrying about how you'll compete with the shop across town are over. Manufacturers now have to consider how to compete with folks on the other side of the world. Integrating the latest technologies and equipment is one of the keys to succeeding in this global manufacturing arena. Therein lies the value of IMTS, where more than 1,500 exhibitors will display their wares in approximately 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space. Though the show is huge, its pavilions that make it easy for you to compare like equipment in one area.

Here is a checklist of things to do to prepare for IMTS:

Pack Comfortable Shoes
This seemingly simple piece of advice can be essential to your obtaining the full value out of the show. If you shy away from strolling down one more aisle, or if you are focusing on your feet instead of giving your attention to the exhibits around you, then you may miss that one little item or innovation that could make that problem process back at your shop significantly more productive.
Remember your Badge and ExpoCard
If you pre-registered for the show, you may have been mailed a badge and what seems like a plastic credit card...that is your ExpoCard. At the show, you can pick up a badge holder, and stick that credit card behind the badge in the holder. You will be asked for the card by exhibitors - it has all of your contact information on it. You might want to double check your first print out to make sure that exhibitors you want to hear from after the show have all the information they need to contact you. Lastly, don't forget some business cards.
A Print out of your "myMap" Show Agenda
All IMTS attendees can create a "myMap" personalized show agenda - and it is free! If you've already created your map, this week it would be a good idea to review it and do a final check of exhibitors to see if you've missed anyone. Print that map out and you've got a great tool for efficiently walking the show. As an added bonus, you can print out the map you created before the show at any one of the 55+ IMTS myMap "I" kiosks around the show floor. If you haven't created your map, do it right away at www.imts.com/mymap.
Bring Hotel Confirmation/Plane Tickets/Maps/Parking Info
Get a folder right now and put your tickets, confirmation from the hotel, directions to McCormick Place, etc. in it. Then you'll have everything you need in one convenient place. Here is a link to some key transportation related information from the show: http://www.imts.com/visitor/travel.html. Be sure to click on the links to Hotel Information, Airline Information and Chicago Information on the left side.
Bring this handy list of important places at McCormick Place
Once you get to the show, it is nice to have this handy sheet of information at your finger tips - http://www.imts.com/visitor/locations.html. You can also visit the IMTS myMap "I" kiosks at the show for much of this information—they will give you directions to where the nearest restroom, escalator, restaurant, etc. can be found from the kiosk location.

We hope you have a very productive show, and that you find these tips helpful!

FIND THE SOLUTIONS TO YOUR STRUGGLE TO FILL POSITIONS WITH QUALIFIED CANDIDATES

Register today for Tooling U's series of topics illustrating how modern training approaches can help address this skills gap by identifying funding resources, incorporating shop-floor-specific training strategies, and laying the groundwork for a Corporate University.

Join your peers for presentations by industry leaders. Don't miss this opportunity.

Training the Shop Floor
Monday, September 8, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Speakers: Jack Schron, Tooling U; Lenny Clark, TRW; David Orth, Heroux Devtek and Deborah Picchione, Heroux Devtek

TargetED Training: Empowering Your Workforce
Tuesday, September 9, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Speakers: Jim Kasperik, Caterpillar; Gus Bliese, General Electric and Bryan Knaack, Tooling U

The Grant Landscape: Tapping into Training Dollars
Wednesday, September 10, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Speakers: Gretchen Schultz, Tooling U; Dan Kiraly, The Tooling & Manufacturing Association; Ray LePore, Sinclair Community College and Jodi Lenkaitis, Sauer Danfoss

TargetED Training: Empowering Your Workforce - Thur
Thursday, September 11, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Speaker: Thomas M. Barrett, Global Services, Kennamental Inc.; Bryan Knaack, Tooling U; Gary Henby, Caterpillar

Training the Shop Floor
Friday, September 12, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Speaker: Jack Schron, Tooling U; Gary Miller, SGS; Mary Short, Defiance Metals and Patty Bishop, Defiance Metals

View Tooling U's complete list of sessions.

Register today! The combination of the Tooling U's sessions and the IMTS 2008 exhibit floor make this an experience that you cannot miss.

IMTS EXHIBITORS LIST AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Did you know that the IMTS Exhibitors list is accessible on your web enabled cell phone? Simply visit www.imts.com/mobile and access the full exhibitors list. This is a handy way to look up the booth number of any company you are interested in seeing at the show! Also, if you have planned your agenda for the show using myMap, you can access your personal agenda using the mobile version of imts.com!

INNOVATION CENTER: MEDICAL DAY & JOB SHOP DAY

Daily theme days take center stage at the new IMTS 2008 Innovation Center. Industry leaders from automotive, aerospace, quality control, power generation, medical and job shop manufacturing speak daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Make the Innovation Center part of your show schedule. Lakeside Center (East) Booth D-4168. Click here to learn more.

This week we're highlighting 2 days:

Medical Day which is Friday, September 12th
This Is Your Medical Opportunity
Thanks to a partnership with Today's Medical Developments (TMD), Frost & Sullivan, an industry leading market research and consulting firm, will review the steps to take regarding Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ISO certification, quality control, FDA regulations, as well as customer requirements and expectations.

Find out more about Medical Day.

Job Shop Day which is Saturday, September 13th
Profitable Practices
Representatives from three of the best shops in the United States-serving the aerospace, energy and medical industries-will talk about the strategies they use to keep their tools sharp, their spindles turning and their shops profitable.

Find out more about Job Shop Day.

» Add Innovation Center to your myMap listing!

ASPE SESSIONS PUT THE FOCUS ON THE MACHINE TOOL INDUSTRY

As part of the IMTS 2008 Manufacturing Business & Technology Forum, the ASPE is organizing intense presentations on the best and most up to date research projects from the engineering development departments of IMTS 2008 exhibiting machine tool companies. As a bonus, each day ends with a debate between recognized experts on issues important to your business.

Join your peers for presentations and debates by industry.

Know Your Machine Tool
Monday, September 8, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Getting the Most Out of Your Machine
Tuesday, September 9, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Advanced Machine Tool Design
Wednesday, September 10, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Are Your Parts Right?
Thursday, September 11, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

View ASPE's complete list of sessions.

INFORMATION FOR WHEN YOU GET TO IMTS

When you get to IMTS, be sure to look for a few special items we've created to make your life easier:

Hall Map With The Daily Schedule of Events
When you enter the show, be sure to pick up an IMTS Building Map. In addition to a crisp, clear map of the exhibit floor in the building you are in, you can also preview all of the events that will be taking place that day. If you're not handed a map when you walk in the door you may pick it up at any registration area (while supplies last).
Directory of Exhibits
This 584 page Directory is available free of charge to all attendees. In it you will find the exhibitors listed by pavilion, product category, and with address information. In addition, many exhibitors have placed advertisements in the Directory explaining what they will have on display at the show in more detail. The Directory is the most complete printed guide to the industry, and something you will refer to at the show and beyond.
Official IMTS ShowDaily
The ShowDaily is offered 3 times during IMTS - Monday, September 8; Wednesday, September 10 and Friday, September 12. In it you will find articles about the latest technology and offerings at IMTS. You can find a copy at the front of every hall.

IMTSTV
Once you get to Chicago, watch IMTSTV live! Daily broadcasts hosted by Emilie Barta will originate on-site from the IMTSTV Studio keeping both exhibitors and attendees informed about the exciting events that are taking place throughout the show.

For what's on for the day...check your hotel TV for an "IMTS Channel" or online daily from 6:00 am - 10:00 am

Stop by the studio to send a free video email message to the office/family/friends.
» Location: West Building, Hall F, Booth F-2451
NEED A STARBUCKS? WHAT ABOUT A BUSINESS CENTER?
We know that when you get to the show, some people need a coffee, some people need a beer, and some people really need to get something printed out in color. McCormick Place is like a mini-city, and we've put together a few pages on the web site that can help you find what you are looking for. The same information will be available with walking directions on the 55+ IMTS myMap Kiosks located around the show floor.
» Restaurant Schedule
» What's Where

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