FABTECH 2017 Expands Education Program

FABTECH's 2017 education programs target manufacturing's hottest topics and emerging technologies. Smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0, IIoT, automation and robotics will be among the featured subjects.

Chicago — With 100 all-new sessions and more than 400 presenters, including the industry’s top experts and leading consultants, the expanded lineup of education programs held at FABTECH 2017 in Chicago on Nov. 6-9 will address the growing number of issues shaping the future of manufacturing.

New education programs at North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event focus on developing trends, such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), automation, robotics, 3D/additive manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and the future of manufacturing. There are also expanded management and workforce development tracks, which cover in-demand executive and upper management concerns, such as tackling the manufacturing skills gap, economic outlook, reshoring and new leadership strategies.

“Education is one of the most important aspects of FABTECH. With the increasing complexities of the processes and the business of manufacturing, we expanded our programming beyond the show floor to ensure we cover the needs of all industrial professionals with topics that affect their companies and careers,” said John Catalano, FABTECH show co-manager and SME Senior Director. “The expertise of the presenters, coupled with access to the latest technologies, will provide attendees a wealth of knowledge that cannot be found anywhere else.”

In total, FABTECH 2017 will have more than 150 educational sessions — the most in the show’s history. The sessions are organized by track. This year’s tracks are 3D/additive manufacturing; automation/smart manufacturing; cutting; finishing; forming and fabricating; job shop; lasers; lean; management; stamping; structural steel/plate; welding, and workforce development.

New session titles include “Automating with Laser Technology,” “3D Additive Applications for Fabricators,” “The Evolving Technology of Powder Coating”, and “Attract, Develop and Build a High-Performance Millennial Team.”

Education sessions are offered for attendees with a range of experience levels — from those new to the industry to those in need of a refresher to veteran attendees with years of experience who are seeking more in-depth training. Several sessions will combine classroom instruction with Tech Tours guided by the industry experts, who will share their unique perspectives of the technologies displayed on the show’s floor. 

For more information, including how to earn continuing education credits and a detailed schedule of the education sessions, visit: www.fabtechexpo.com/education. To register to attend FABTECH 2017, visit: www.fabtechexpo.com

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