Fabtech Makes Vegas Debut

 For the first time, the Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show is heading to the Western United States to the world's No. 1 trade show destination-Las Vegas, Nevada. Scheduled for October 6 through 8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show is the largest event in North America dedicated to metalforming, fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, and welding equipment and technology. Expected to bring an estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors, the show is cosponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int'l (FMA) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). In addition to viewing the latest products and technologies, attendees will benefit from a comprehensive array of educational offerings. Led by more than 100 experts, sessions emphasize industry issues and trends, lean manufacturing, management and developments in forming, fabricating, welding and related technologies. Additionally, the show's Metalform Pavilion will display innovations in stamping technology. The pavilion was added as a result of a new strategic alliance with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA). Other show highlights include the AWS Skills Competition Weld-Off for student welders; business improvement seminars; a thermal spray seminar; a welding education conference; and a produt theater that will showcase 30-minute, exhibitor-led product and technology demonstrations. Keynote speakers include Jim Waters, vice president of production systems at Caterpillar, and inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST and president of the DEKA Research & Development Corporation. For more information about Fabtech, visit www.fmafabtech.com, www.sme.org/fabtech or www.aws.org/show.