Deutsche Messe’s Five Shows Collocated at IMTS Will Occupy Two Times More Space

December 15, 2015

Deutsche Messe’s five industrial trade show collocated at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), on tap Sept. 12-17 at McCormick Place in Chicago, will occupy two times more space, compared with 2014. 

IMTS currently is up 10 percent in display area space and 16 percent in exhibitor participation. Hannover Fairs USA, Deutsche Messe’s U.S. subsidiary, is organizing the five shows and conferences.

The growth of Deutsche Messe’s portfolio at IMTS is a direct result of the resurgence of manufacturing in America.

Industrial Automation NORTH AMERICA premiered in 2012. MDA NORTH AMERICA followed in 2014. Now ComVac NORTH AMERICA, Industrial Supply NORTH AMERICA, and Surface Technology NORTH AMERICA debut in 2016.

Together,  the events account for double the display area in 2014 and represent five industry sectors: industrial automation; power transmission, fluid technology and motion control; compressed air and vacuum technology; industrial subcontracting and lightweight design; and surface treatment.

Compared with the same point in time in 2014, four times more space is sold for 2016, with 75 percent of registrations from companies based outside the United States.

“IMTS and our fairs collectively represent the largest industrial technology event in North America. For six days exhibitors have direct access to the world’s largest economy – one that is undergoing a manufacturing resurgence,” said Wolfgang Pech, senior vice president at Deutsche Messe.

He added, “Visitors experience first-hand the technologies and techniques that U.S. manufacturers use to stay competitive while at the same time learning about and comparing the Asian and European approaches to Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things.”

Surveys conducted in 2014 at IMTS, Industrial Automation NORTH AMERICA and MDA NORTH AMERICA indicated that 86 percent of visitors found solutions to specific manufacturing problems, 85 percent planned to make a purchase within one year, and 64 percent initiated new business contacts.

Key trends at Deutsche Messe’s 2016 Chicago events include the “SMAC stack” (social, mobile, analytics, and cloud), which helps companies accelerate development and retain customers; the Industrial Internet of Things, which helps automate production and maintenance, freeing up more time for research and development; and next-shoring (developing and manufacturing products closer to where they will be sold), which improves production control and efficiency.

China, France, Italy, Germany and Taiwan are contributing country pavilions and the National Fluid Power Organization (NFPA) organizes the Fluid Power Area at MDA North America. Exhibiting companies include Beckhoff, B&R, Hawe, igus, Mitsubishi, Rockwell Automation, THK, Turck, and Wittenstein.

Three conferences round out the program at Deutsche Messe’s events. On Sept. 13,  GIE Media runs three tracks – MDA plus ComVac, Industrial Supply and Surface Technology – for design, manufacturing and process engineers as well as plant managers and purchasing managers.

On Sept. 14, CFE Media stages the Global Automation & Manufacturing Summit and NFPA organizes a fluid power track.

Industrial Automation NORTH AMERICA, MDA NORTH AMERICA, ComVac NORTH AMERICA, Industrial Supply NORTH AMERICA, and Surface Technology NORTH AMERICA are organized by Deutsche Messe’s U.S. subsidiary, Hannover Fairs USA, Inc., in cooperation with AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology.

The five events run parallel to IMTS 2016 and belong to Deutsche Messe’s HANNOVER MESSE Worldwide portfolio.

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Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? 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Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.