The 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show and inaugural Industrial Laser Conference are upon us. Here’s how to follow #LasersatIMTS all week long.
This weekend, the LIA staff travels to Chicago to set up and begin a laser-packed IMTS event! Are you ready for the latest lasers in manufacturing innovations and applications?
No matter whether you’re attending IMTS and the Industrial Laser Conference at McCormick Place, or want to follow the event from your home or office, our Twitter feed will contain breaking and up-to-the-minute laser-focused updates.
To follow the International Manufacturing Technology Show with us all week long, follow our hashtag on Twitter: #LasersatIMTS.
To follow the inaugural Industrial Laser Conference specifically, which is held all day on 9/13, follow our Twitter hashtag: #ILCatIMTS
Meet LIA Staff and Stay Connected with LIA All Show Long
LIA Staff will be on site at IMTS 2016 and the Industrial Laser Conference all week long. Connect with us by visiting our Booth. To receive up-to-the-minute Booth updates once the show begins, follow our Twitter account @LaserInstitute.
You can also Tweet us anytime during the event and we’ll get you connected with the right answers and solutions.
There’s Still Time to Sign up for the Industrial Laser Conference @ IMTS!
Don’t forget, you can also sign up for Tuesday’s Industrial Laser Conference when you arrive in Chicago! Check your IMTS program for details and how to sign up.
Make the most of your trip to Chicago! We’ve also put together the following IMTS 2016 and Industrial Laser Conference Resources for you:
LIA’s first-ever Industrial Laser Conference takes place September 13, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois at the International Manufacturing Technology Show – and we want you to make the most out of your trip!
Before heading out to the conference, review our complete guide to points of interest, events, and locations worth checking out in The Windy City – and prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime!
The inaugural year of LIA’s Industrial Laser Conference is a can’t-miss event, as it will set the standard for subsequent conferences in the years to come! The exciting part? You, laser professional, will have a hand in it.
Future-forward industrial laser applications such as additive manufacturing, welding, and marking will be covered throughout the event, and four educational sessions led by notable laser professionals will provide everything you need to know to get started with lasers – or advance your shop’s current laser endeavors.
What’s more, the International Manufacturing Technology Show, considered one of the largest industrial trade shows in the world, will be at your feet. Focusing on manufacturing technology, over 2,000 companies are projected to exhibit state of the art tools, computers, systems, and processes at the event. LIA members and manufacturing experts will have particular interest in the Fabricating/Laser/Additive Manufacturing pavilion. Take advantage of all of these resources from September 12-17.
Exploring Chicago
After a long day of learning, exploring, and networking, some attendees may want to get out and explore the city – and we encourage it! After all, we think that’s one of the added benefits of attending a conference or tradeshow. Here are some of our picks for food, drinks, transportation, and entertainment:
Food
Chicago is world renowned for its deep dish pizza – and those looking to find out what all the buzz is about might find themselves drawn to Lou Malnati’s, one of Serious Eats’ recommendations for traditional deep dish pizza, just down the street from McCormick Place.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is a can’t miss while at the Industrial Laser Conference and IMTS.
If you have time to catch a game, or want to relax, The Anthem may seem like a traditional sports bar in appearance and atmosphere, but a closer look at their menu reveals some surprisingly healthy options. If you or someone in your party has dietary restrictions, this might be a perfect choice to grab a bite after the conference. After all, where else can one find jumbo chicken wings, hummus plates (with gluten-free pita!) and Veggie sliders on the same menu?
Those seeking a fine dining experience may find themselves drawn to Acadia. Described as “contemporary American cuisine,” Acadia features five and 10-course tastings, which change seasonally. Reservations are required, and will likely fill up as IMTS draws near. You’ll be hard- pressed to find a poor review of Acadia, with many critics raving about its selections. Make a reservation with your fellow attendees today!
Drinks
In some instances, attendees may want to have a drink or two with new colleagues or acquaintances they met at the conference. Others may just want to unwind! Chicago has no shortage of watering holes and breweries to wet your whistle after the conference.
IMTS recommends Motor Row Brewing as a stopping point on your visit to the Chicago area. Offering a wide array of craft brews, Motor Row Brewing lives up to its namesake maintaining a warehouse-esque atmosphere harkening back to Chicago’s 20th-century status as an automobile industry haven. While the establishment does not serve food, they do encourage guests to bring their own or even order delivery from a number of local eateries! Motor Row Brewing is ideal for a small group. Tours of the facility are also available, for those interested in the brewing process.
Discover Chicago near McCormick Place.
Vice District Brewing is another notable stop for craft beer selections. Founded by two neighbors with a passion for brewing (and consuming!) unique beers, Vice District Brewing tries to capture the spirit of a neighborhood gathering. Traveling professionals might want to take advantage of the outlets spread throughout the taproom, making it easy to get work done, while still enjoying some of what Chicago has to offer. Vice is only a few blocks away from McCormick Place, making it very easy to access after the conference.
Sightseeing
If you plan on spending multiple days in Chicago, take advantage of some sightseeing and attractions in the area. Grant Park is home to a number of Chicago’s most well-known destinations such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium.
The Navy Pier is a top rated tourist destination for the region. Formerly a Navy training facility, the area is now used as a recreational, leisurely, and social space. Featuring an IMAX theater, nightly fireworks, and significant shopping destinations, you’ll need more than a single day to explore everything the pier has to offer.
Learn even more about the Industrial Laser Conference! Be sure to check out Why was the Industrial Laser Conference Created? Post on the Lasers Today blog, the premier industry blog for laser experts, professionals, and enthusiasts – and tell your colleagues and classmates.
Last, but certainly not least – don’t forget that the Industrial Laser Conference is less than a month away! If you’re attending the International Manufacturing Technology Show, and would like to register, click here.
Get the latest updates on the Industrial Laser Conference and International Manufacturing Technology Show on our Facebook Page. Click the Logo Above to Navigate to our Page and Follow Us!
Why was the Industrial Laser Conference created, who is it for, and how can it help advance your industrial manufacturing career? This blog explains it all.
Registration is now open for Laser Institute of America’s inaugural Industrial Laser Conference, to be held at the International Manufacturing Technology Show on September 13, 2016 at the renowned McCormick Place in Chicago. All the buzz about this new conference by LIA may have you wondering why the Industrial Laser Conference was created, who it’s designed for, and most importantly, how it can help advance your manufacturing career. These four pillars of the conference say it all:
1. It’s Designed for the Manufacturing Professional: Designed exclusively for the industrial manufacturing professional, the conference will showcase laser applications that are driving the evolution of manufacturing. From manufacturing directors to automation engineers to production specialists, every member of the industrial manufacturing workforce can benefit from attending this conference, learning over the course of a full day how to leverage lasers into their manufacturing processes in a high-tech, high-demand market.
2. It Was Created to Meet Industry Demands: As Industrial Laser Conference Program Chair Elizabeth Kautzmann of FANUC America Corporation explains, these innovative techniques are emerging and revolutionizing the industry to meet market demands, all rooted in the field’s collective understanding of conventional machining. “Just as significant as discussions about technology, are the means by which legacy manufacturers can incorporate and powerfully exploit the versatility of the technology,” Kautzmann said. “We can now migrate conventional subtractive processes into realms where newer approaches, which combine innovative and fresh perspectives based on solid manufacturing building blocks, are already in place.”
3. It Provides Laser and Manufacturing Professionals with the Tools They Need to Succeed: This event is perfect for both industrial manufacturing professionals who want to improve their laser program – and those who have considered lasers as part of their processes before, but haven’t made the leap just yet. From the novice to the expert, every member of the industrial manufacturing spectrum can benefit from this future-forward event that is 100 percent focused on your individual and collective success.
4. It Covers All Industrial Applications of Lasers: The event covers industrial applications of lasers, such as: Additive Manufacturing, Cutting, Welding, Marking and more. Most importantly, we will show you how to apply lasers to increase your profits & efficiency.
Inspired yet? Learn even more about the Industrial Laser Conference – and why you should be there in our Five Things to Know blog. You can also sign up today: Click to register. If you have any additional questions, we’d be happy to help. Contact our Conference Team: conferences@lia.org, or +1.407.380.1553.
