August 19, 2022 by Brett Gallagher The SME community will convene in Chicago at IMTS 2022. The SME Membership Meeting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 9AM – 1PM. Virtual Labs immersive training demonstration with Meta Quest 2 headsets During tuX2022. The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is back fully in person after a four-year hiatus, and SME will be in attendance. It’s exciting to be back in Chicago but it’s even more thrilling to have the opportunity to present new products and solutions to the public as well as host numerous member-driven programs. SME will have a presence on the exhibit floor with a total of seven different offerings, everything from virtual reality training solutions to SME member resources and student programming. SME supports manufacturing based on our core belief: Manufacturing is key to economic growth and prosperity. This is why we understand our presence at IMTS 2022 is imperative. Conferences and tradeshows are perfect for staying up to date with industry trends. This year enjoy a highly immersive experience with SME at IMTS. If you’re looking for hands-on learning, the future of e-learning is virtual reality. Tooling U-SME will be demonstrating their latest VR training offerings that help with upskilling and increased retention for manufacturers. The new immersive virtual reality training curriculum from Tooling U-SME bridges the gap between learning and doing to enhance productivity, increase safety, lower costs, and engage a younger workforce. Our mission at SME is to promote manufacturing technology and develop a skilled workforce and what better way to do that than through workforce development programs from Tooling U-SME? Virtual Labs immersive training demonstration at SME Cleveland office. Virtual Reality Technology Hub - The Hub (North Hall, Booth #236900) will provide an immersive environment for emerging best practices in technology-driven blended learning solutions. It will feature hands-on experiences for attendees to explore emerging technologies and see first-hand the impact these technologies have on companies as they transition to Advanced and SMART Manufacturing technologies. Tooling U-SME booth - Located in the West Hall (Booth #431679), Tooling U-SME delivers versatile, competency-based learning and development solutions to the manufacturing community, working with thousands of companies, including more than half of all Fortune 500 manufacturers, plus nearly 1,000 educational institutions across the country. It partners with customers to drive quality, profitability, productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction. Tooling U-SME will demonstrate its Virtual Labs VR products. Smart Manufacturing Experience at IMTS - This area will be in the North Hall (Booth #236800) to connect manufacturers with highly qualified presenters fostering innovation, collaboration and networking. The Smart Manufacturing Hub will showcase several presentations per day providing smart technology solutions. Beyond training solutions, there will be opportunities for event attendees to connect and network via SME-represented booths on the exhibit floor. Take advantage of the knowledge and resources available and learn what the SME community has to offer. This is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded manufacturers and find out how you can get plugged into SME. The SME Membership Meeting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 9AM – 1PM. SME Membership booth - This is your best resource to learn about SME’s valuable network of people and membership programs designed to help advance your career in manufacturing. This booth (North Hall, #236862) is a resource to learn about SME’s people network and membership programs that help drive manufacturing career advancement. Additionally, during the show, SME Membership will host alongside SME Chicagoland chapter 5 an exclusive SME Member Meetup with a Membership Roundtable Discussion, learning opportunities and lunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14th. SME ZONE & Lounge - Known as the SME ZONE, this area (South Hall, S401) will be an inviting space where SME staff can welcome and visit customers, attendees, volunteer leaders, and members. It can accommodate meetings, receptions, and meal functions throughout IMTS week. Scheduled Membership Meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 9am-1pm. Knowledge Bar at the SME Zone. Students and young professionals will thrive at IMTS. This year there is a student offering called the Smartforce Student Summit that delivers industry-developed content to provide educators and students with fun and engaging learning experiences centered around the industry's vision of the manufacturing technology classroom of the future. There will also be members from our Education Foundation on site to discuss all the ways individuals can benefit from the SME initiatives focusing on individuals in STEM careers. As the philanthropic arm of SME, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization serving the manufacturing industry, the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. SME Education Foundation Booth - Co-located with SME Membership in the North Hall (Booth #236862), Here attendees can explore how the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares, and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS - The Smartforce Student Summit (Hall C, Booth #215100), in coordination with Tooling U-SME and Stratasys, will be an immersive environment of emerging best practices in technology-driven blended learning solutions to deliver industry-developed content, providing educators and students with fun and engaging learning experiences centered around our industry's vision of the manufacturing technology classroom of the future. Students will engage in virtual reality experiences via Virtual Labs systems and will experience additive manufacturing/3D printing demonstrations. The SME community will be out in full force at IMTS 2022. Come join us to see what’s happening in the world of manufacturing. Engage with SME, learn about the latest trends in manufacturing, construct your industry network, and advance your career through a supportive community. SME supports the makers that believe in changing the world through manufacturing.
