Los Angeles Is Big Draw for Manufacturing Show Westec 2015
September 23, 2015
Westec 2015 proved to be the place to be for the manufacturing industry. More than 11,000 attendees (up nearly 5 percent from 2013) and 400-plus exhibitors from more than 500 manufacturing companies used the 103,600 square feet of show floor space to learn, connect and discover.
This year’s show was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and the location was no accident.
“California is the nation’s largest manufacturing sector in the U.S., with over 39,000 businesses and 1.2 million workers in the manufacturing industry,” said Janine Saperson, event manager, SME. “We know this is the place for manufacturers, and attendees want to see what new products are coming into play.”
With the core of Westec being the education and introduction of new products and processes, over 100 new products were introduced at the show this year.
First-time exhibitor Total Grinding Solutions used the show to introduce their new centerless grinder, bringing standardization of the machine, thus reducing order lead times and maintenance costs.
Ellen Kominars, marketing director, invested in the event to highlight this new machine. “We wanted to find a good avenue to share our new product with the industry, and Westec was a logical choice,” she said.
While the rain on Tuesday reduced some attendee traffic, crowds were evident for the rest of the show. And seeing the increase in traffic was a welcome site.
“We were a little disappointed with the Tuesday traffic, but it seems people are making up for the rain delay,” said Ellen Heini, Inside Sales & Marketing of Ice Tech. “We expect to see better crowds for the rest of the show, and having the keynotes on the show floor should keep the attendees here as well.”
The keynotes were certainly a big highlight to the show, including talks on Hollywood 3D design and manufacturing and wearables on the shop floor.
Saperson shared, “There is a new focus on cross-pollination of ideas and technologies. We provided a designation for Medical Manufacturing Innovation Theories, for those exhibitors bringing over medical manufacturing best practices into other areas.”
Also introduced was the SME Technology Interchange, which featured five different NASA technologies that can be applied to the industry.
Interchanges like this brought new ideas to a wider audience, and sparked the conversation around what is possible and where the industry is headed.
Education outside the show also was being explored. Attendee Bellegran Gomez, director of Community Advancement of Cerritos College, brought a few colleagues to discuss state-sponsored onsite training for those businesses located in California.
“We come to the show each time it is here, and having all the manufacturing companies in one location lets us quickly share employee job training possibilities,” Gomez said. “This show is great in bringing so many companies together.”
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
Add new comment