Chicago Rolls Out the Red Carpet for FABTECH 2011

Beginning November 14, McCormick Place will play host to more than 32,000 visitors and 1200 exhibiting companies. The show floor will teem with equipment for stamping, fabricating, welding and finishing.

On April 19, 2010, Mayor Richard M. Daley paid tribute to the importance of manufacturing in Chicago by declaring “Made in Chicago” day. Said Mayor Daley during the celebration on Daley Plaza:

“Manufacturing has als been an important part of our city’s history, and today we still are strongly committed to making sure the city remains a world-premier manufacturing center. Regardless of their size or industry, all the companies represented here today have one thing in common—they all chose Chicago as the place to establish and grow their businesses.” 

Chicago’s 2600 manufacturers represent 80,000 jobs and 12 percent of the city’s metro economy. And come November 14-17, Chicago’s McCormick Place becomes the stage for North America’s largest metalforming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, FABTECH 2011. More than 32,000 visitors will be on hand to survey the booths of some 1200 exhibiting companies, covering nearly 500,000 sq. ft. of floor space. 

No Longer the Stinky Onion

Chicago’s recorded history begins with the arrival of French explorers in the late 17th century. Its name is derived from the French version of the Indian word shikaakwa, which means “stinky onion”—plants common along the Chicago River. The city’s evolution from rich farmlands to bustling metropolis occurred as roads were built to open the farmlands to trade, entrepreneurs built an infrastructure for loading ships bound for the Great Lakes, and railroads were laid to create what became, by the late 1800s, the major transportation hub of the United States. By 1870, Chicago had grown to become the nation’s second largest city, and one of the largest cities in the world. 

FABTECH 2011 Show Days/Dates/Hours

Monday, November 14    10 a.m.-6 p.m.Tuesday, November 15    9 a.m.-5 p.m.Wednesday, November 16    9 a.m.-5 p.m.Thursday, November 17    9 a.m.-3 p.m.

When FABTECH visitors head to Chicago’s McCormick Place, they’ll see thousands of pieces of equipment in action on the show floor, including the debut of more than 500 new products. Fabtech gives you all the tools manufacturers need to improve productivity, increase profits and find new s to survive in today’s competitive business environment. To guide attendees to products and services, the show floor is organized into pavilions geared toward specific industries and technologies. Head to the South Hall to spy equipment for forming and fabricating, including stamping, laser cutting, tool and die work and finishing; head to the North Hall to take in all of the welding and thermal-spray offerings. 

In addition to the exhibits, FABTECH 2011 also will present more than 100 educational sessions on the latest trends in stamping, cutting, finishing, fabricating, tube and pipe and welding, as well as courses for managers. Details of the stamping, fabricating and management tracks can be viewed beginning on page 34; download the complete educational program at www.fabtechexpo.com/education.cfm.