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Automation Fair 2005 surpasses traditional tradeshows

Dec. 16, 2005
Rockwell Automation’s private, invitation-only event has become the largest automation trade show in North America.
A RECORD-breaking 14,000 people attended Rockwell Automation's two-day Allen-Bradley Automation Fair 2005 held Nov. 15-17 at the America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo. The event included more than 150 exhibits by manufacturers from more than 70 countries. The company () hosted more than 50 technical sessions, hands-on training labs, and multiple automaton presentations.By comparison, the recent ISA Expo 2005 in Chicago had approximately 11,500 attendees and exhibitors, while National Manufacturing Week 2005 had fewer than 15,000 attendees, and is moving from McCormick Place to the much smaller Rosemount Convention Center in 2006. Basically, this means A-B Automation Fair has become the largest automation trade show in North America. And it is a private, by invitation only show."Automation Fair has emerged as the ultimate forum to help manufacturers understand how industrial automation can solve their business problems and make them more competitive," says Keith Nosbusch, Rockwell’s chairman and CEO. "It's an opportunity for us to bring together customers from around the globe, in a wide range of industries, to share best practices, explore new technologies, and discuss key issues facing their industries."

NAM President and CEO, John Engler

 

 The fair’s 2005 edition focused the ability to link plant-floor data with enterprise business systems and supply chains for real-time decision making, the growing role that manufacturing plays in meeting increased regulatory requirements, and heightened concerns related to safety and security. It also addressed was the critical issues of energy use and efficiency in manufacturing operations.At its pre-show Manufacturing Perspectives 2005 event, John Engler, National Association of Manufacturers’ president and CEO, announced a national energy policy initiative that calls upon manufacturers to support legislation that increases supply, keeps costs in line, and builds an infrastructure for long-term growth.The company adds that Automation Fair 2006 will be held Oct.25-26, 2006 at the convention center in Baltimore, Maryland.