| Manufacturing Journalist Thomas R. Cutler | | | | |
| authored a feature article titled, | | | | The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show |
| “Showstopper”, for the current issue of | | | | are significant. Engineers and buyers attending an |
| Business Excellence magazine. Cutler looks at the | | | | AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one |
| value of tradeshows, and offers some | | | | or multiple sources to take a project from |
| suggestions for getting a return from the time | | | | concept or prototype to finished product quickly |
| and money invested in them. Cutler interview | | | | and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources |
| Kati Olson, president of AmCon Expos, which | | | | for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, |
| produces a series of a dozen regional tradeshows | | | | fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and |
| for contract manufacturers and insists, | | | | electronic manufacturing services all under one |
| “Attendees should plan on hands-on, | | | | roof. Whether looking for one part or production |
| face-to-face time with vendors, suppliers, | | | | runs, attendees find multiple sources from which |
| exhibitors and get into the details of a project. | | | | to choose. AmCon offers attendees a unique |
| Attendees must bring their blueprints, supply chain | | | | opportunity to investigate a variety of |
| issues, and OEM production requirement for | | | | manufacturing options, both new and traditional, |
| review by the technical people staffing the | | | | and find the best processes and materials for |
| events. Serious working shows where a lot can | | | | specific applications. Attendees view actual |
| be accomplished in a very short time, make for | | | | samples of products that have been produced for |
| the most valuable tradeshow experience.” | | | | other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes |
| | | | | on current projects and compare quality, pricing, |
| Whether looking for a single part or a production | | | | and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few |
| run, attendees of these events want to find | | | | hours. Only AmCon shows provide a “hands |
| multiple sources from which to choose. Olson | | | | on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits |
| insists that, “Tradeshow attendees must have | | | | are staffed with top management and technical |
| a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of | | | | personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion |
| manufacturing options, both new and traditional, | | | | regarding project design, materials and production |
| and find the best processes and materials for | | | | issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars |
| specific applications. Attendees must be able to | | | | on a variety of manufacturing processes and |
| view actual samples of products that have been | | | | quality issues. Fall 2008 AmCon shows include |
| produced for other OEMs in their industry and can | | | | Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 17-18; Fort Lauderdale, |
| get quotes on current projects and compare | | | | FL - Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, MN - Oct. 7-8; |
| quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple | | | | Phoenix, AZ - Oct. 14-15; Houston, TX - Oct. |
| vendors all in a few hours.” | | | | 29-30; Greensboro, NC - Nov. 18-19. |